February 20, 2011 (II Samuel 6-10)

David returned the Ark of the Lord to the City of David, and in so doing he danced and celebrated before the Lord. Here is the abbreviated story:

^6:16 But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.

 ²⁰ When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”

 ²¹ David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord. ²² Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!” ²³ So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

I know from the New Testament, God doesn't like us judging others. This story shows it as well. I know that is my tendency, and I see once again how wrong it is. God help me to pray to You about any 'injustices' I see and just leave them to You.

Chapter 7 is intriguing to me in many ways. David tells the prophet Nathan that he wants to build a temple for God. Then God gives Nathan a message to deliver to David. I even wonder about that aspect. God spoke directly to David numerous times. So why this time does He speak through Nathan? Perhaps to have 'a witness' as to the conversation? Here is the first intriguing part to me:

^7:11   “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings! ¹² For when you die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will use other nations to punish him. ¹⁵ But my unfailing love will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed before you. ¹⁶ Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

So Nathan tells that to David who in turn prays this to the Lord:

²⁵ “And now, O Lord God, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. Confirm it as a promise that will last forever. ²⁶ And may your name be honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is God over Israel!’ And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.
 ²⁷ “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, God of Israel, I have been bold enough to pray this prayer to you because you have revealed all this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings!’ ²⁸ For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant. ²⁹ And now, may it please you to bless me and my family so that our dynasty may continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord, it is an eternal blessing!”

Now when I read verse 13 I didn't think of Solomon, I thought of Jesus. Jesus is the One whose kingdom will be eternal. I think these set of verses apply to Solomon as well, because of the one that talks about "if he sins", but I think the overarching message from God was that He doesn't need a physical temple because His children would be His temple, and that because of Jesus, the kingdom will be eternal.

And then when I read the end of chapter 7, it struck me that David didn't see 'the big picture'. He was thanking God for blessing him and his family so that 'our dynasty' may continue forever. I really think he 'missed it' and perhaps because of this exchange thought he was 'invincible'. Perhaps this played a part in his sin of adultery that follows. Just speculation on my part....