The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-16

Blessings on the prayers ard blessings on the
praise;
B'essi,.s,. on the ehFis'oned and o" tho newly
Blessings on the living aud blessings on the
dead"
DAVID FoRBIDDEN TO BUILD THE TEMPLE.
Data.
eSamuel, Ia to IL (inclusive); Chron..
17:3ll (inclusive).
Time and Place.
A. NJ. 1862. Jerusalem. See on Time and
Place in notes paragraph. Sam, 7;I-5.
This paragraph is night scene. sam, a.
References.
(These are based on the account given in 2
Samuel)
Verse 4. It came to pass that night word
came to Nathan. M, IL g; Chr, l1:3;
Am, 81
Verse D. Shalt thou build me house2 The
answer to be given was negative. l XII, :oi
S:1s, 10; / Chr, II a; % Z, g; 26:3
Verse 6. have not dwelt in house. JOSH,
ISL; XII, BIG; Chr, T:5. 6.
Walked in a tent. Elk, 30 Ii, 10 DO: 3D.
80; Lew, 81 II, IL. %, 81, 81. %; Nu. 10: 80
80; Deu., %; Ia; Cor, G: I6; Rev, ,: 4.
In tent. Ex., 40: IL. 10, 81 Acts, Z: "a. Do.
Verse z. Tribes. Rendered judges i'll Chr,
17.6.
Feed my people. 5:o; Ps., 7s: II. ~. Isa.,
40: IL; Jer., 23:4; Eze.. "a 2. To- %; Mic,
3: 4; ST. John, 2lt 15-17; Acts, 20 %.
Verse 8. Took thee from sheepcote. l SAM.
16: II, u; L Chr. 17:7; Ps., 1870.
Ruler 6:2l; 12:7 Sam, DIG; 10:1
Verse o. with thee. s. 10; $50 Id; % :: 80,
1873; Sam, IS "A; i Chr, II g.
Cut off thine enemies. % /; ] SAM, 81 6;
Ps, SO %.
A great name Gen., IL % Sam., . g; /
Chr, II g. Ps., 113 Z, 8; St. Luke, %.
Verse 10. Will plant them. Chr. o;
Ps 44:2; 30: s. Jer., 1s 20; "a: IS; Eze., 81:
25-27; AM, D: 10.
Children of wiclzedncss not afIl let them more.
Chr, II: o; Ps., SO: q, 90; Is, CO. Is; Hos,
2;1S
As before time. Ex., / :I3 IA, %; Jud., 2 ID
16; 4:3; 6:-2-6; 1 Sam, - IL.
Verse Ii. Since the judges. / Sam, II 30
II; Ps.. LOG ~
Caused thee to rest. I'll; Job, 5:1s, 10;
81 20; Ps 1919
Make thee an house (desceudants). 7:27;
Gen, 1872; XII, 9: 24; 1I:3S; 1 Chr, II: l6;
p: 10; Ps.. 1913, A. 1911
Connection With Sam, 7:1-3.
David was at rest, hut it was to be only O
brief respite. Things were yet in a condi-
ton to warrant the building of the Temple
Much of David's subsequent lie WAS given to
fighting. So God, instead of allowing him to
build house t.femple) for GOD. resolved he
(David) should wait and let God, by his provi-
dences in the Interest of David. build hnnse
dynasty for David and his descendants. The
work proposed by David was excellent aud
praiseworthy, hut tire time was unified.
The Facts,
We may suppose that, with the arrest OF Ma
than, David would have taken steps at once
toward building the Temple In that case he
gould not have thoroughly conquered the enor-
nous nations around, and would have been con-
cfa ;,, 4, I.,,,I 81,
structure, and the Jewish nation, moreover,
would have been greatly weak ened-peFhsps
ruined. But God took measures Immediately
to stop any and every attempt by David st
building the Temple. That very night, before
any steps could have been taken God appeared.
probably in vision. to Nathan. and ordered
him to proceed ut once and tell David to desist
from his plans as to the Temple. 1t may have
been embarrassing to Nathan to couutermaud
his own assent TO Dsvds proposition but he
obeyed Gods order No censure is to be uttered
against David on account of his intention. for lis
heart was right and his desire worthy of COM
incubation. The account in Samuel fails to give
the reason, which probably bad something to do
with the delHy to build to wit, the fact that Da-
vid Was warrior, living "a times of much fight
ing, whereas 1t was secmly the House of God
should be built in peaceful days. We find this
particular reason stated fully in / XII, 3: 3,
and Chr, %: 81. The tabernacle as a place
for the Ark. had served for 5i7 years. aud could
well answer for some time longer. But God
does not discourage David. He gives him
cheering promises. assuring him a Tenlple
would yet DO built, and that his temporal
dynasty should be firmly established for many
generations.
The Spiritual Signifcation.
We are not to suppose that language so strong
as that of verses 10. ii was realized by the line
nf he NOS of. Iud nh Z iS h,lia we'd we hay
here intimatiODs Of the Messiah and the Chris
tian Church. Jesus descended from David.
The events between this lesson and the Advent
of Christ preliminaries to the grsnder
Kineship Of our Savior. Christ was q Jew, a
descendant therefore of Abraham. We can
well suppose that Nathan bore TO David the
promise of ancestry to Christ an honor greater
than any other that could be borne by David.
The house" pledged by God to David was
not mere earthly dynasty, but the Kingdom
of Heaven as established by Christ rs de-
scendant of David. The Christian Church is
destined to realize all that is meant (promised)
in Sam, Z 10. The temporary rests of the
Israeltes, their respites for brief periods from
attacks of enemies their prosperity, their
Temple were prophecies of the restful times to
be experienced in Christ's reign. and to be
fully enjoyed "0ver There" in our own place,
freed from all enemies. our House Eternal in
the Heavens"
Suggestions
l. Worship Is acceptable even if in a taber-
nacle instead Of a Temple, when circumstances
forbid the erection of the grander structure.
2. People may find great profit in considering
their more humble days
g. If we make any mistake in our remarks
or promises We should 90 at once aud set things
right.
a. God never asks unreasonable or hard
things of u.s. See VI. Henever blames us for
not doing what our environments render i'm
practicable.
S. BE encouraged by the prospect of Happy
and Everlasting Home when the troubles and
battles of earth all past. Marowe said
When the world dissolves all places will be
hell that are not heaven" ''The way is good"
said st. 'Chrysostom; "if it be to sfeast though
through dark aud miry lane; if to an execu-
tion not good, though through the fairest street
in thecity. Not theiray, but the end is mainly
to be thought Of"