An Incomparable “House”

God has told Nathan to inform David that he will be used to establish an unprecedented measure of security for Israel, a condition under which God will permit a temple to be built. This by itself will be a significant contribution to the blessedness of the people of God. And yet, God has determined to work through David in far greater ways, and He reveals those plans now.

It is not God’s desire that David build a “house” for Him. Rather, He intends to build a “house” for David. Not a house such as Hiram built for David in Jerusalem, but a family line and, in David’s particular case, a kingly dynasty. God promises that when David dies, He will not look elsewhere for another man to take the throne, as He did in choosing David to replace Saul. Instead, God will allow one of David’s sons to wear the crown after him. And in what must be music to David’s ears, God promises to bless that son. He says He will establish the young man’s kingdom, giving him a high degree of security and stability. Furthermore, He promises to treat this son of David as His own offspring: “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son.” As a loving Father, He will chasten David’s successor when he commits iniquity. But no matter what evil he commits, God’s mercy will not depart from him. And, almost as an aside, God tells David that this son shall build the temple. Thus, David can know that the divine grace that has followed him throughout his life will flow also to this son.

But in the midst of all these promises, God says an incredible thing: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” Later, He puts it slightfy differently: “Your kingdom shall be established forever before you.” David’s descendants will indeed rule over Judah for centuries to come. But no dynasty lasts forever, right? What, then, is God saying here? Simply put, this is a promise of the Messiah. God is saying that at some unspecified time, one will be born in David’s line who will take the throne and hold it for eternity. In His wise providence, God now tells the human race that He Himself one day will descend to the earth in human form in the line of David. The King of kings, the one who gave David his throne, will claim that throne as His own. Thus, “David’s” kingship will endure for all time. What a “house” he will have!