David Archives • Paula Wiseman

Another Time When God Told David ‘No’

Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.’ 1 Chronicles 17:4

We’re continuing our look at some times when God said no. We’ve learned some heavy lessons about God’s holiness and that sin is not something to be trifled with. Today the no comes with an overwhelming outpouring of grace.

In the parallel account in 2 Samuel 7 we learn that David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies. No longer having to fight off threats to the nation or to his own rule, David was finally able to catch his breath and his first thoughts were of the God who had made him king. He wanted to build a temple, a real, permanent place for the Ark of the Covenant. He wanted to show that God’s presence with His people Israel was tangible and fixed, representing the eternal promises God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It was a worthy thought, a well-placed desire and Nathan the prophet gave his blessing. “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” (1 Chronicles 17:2).

Except that God had other plans.

He said no to the temple. (At least to David building it.) But then God said He would build DAVID a house, a heritage, an eternal dynasty. The Messiah, the King of Kings would come from David’s and he would forever be associated with the Chosen One of God. He would be called the Son of David. He would sit on the throne of David.

And David said, “Whoa.” (That’s a paraphrase.) You can read his actual response in 1 Chronicles 17:16-27 or 2 Samuel 7:18-29. It’s good stuff.

Here are some takeaways from this no.

God rejected the notion of David building the Temple. He didn’t reject David. In fact, He CHOSE David for a particular honor and distinction that went far beyond that of building the Temple. It’s important for us to remember that a ‘no’ is not personal.

God’s plan was greater than David’s. By promising to build David a “house,” God invited David to take a step back and see a bigger picture, to see a plan drawn out on an eternal canvas. When God tells us no, let’s resolve to look for the greater purpose God is working out in our lives.

The most important thing to build is not a monument but an intimate relationship with God. Since the time that God called Abraham out of Ur, He was calling a people for His name’s sake. On Sinai, He promised to be Israel’s God and they promised to be His people. There had never been a people whom God had met with the way He met with Israel. Today He chooses to dwell not just WITH us, but IN us.

It’s all about Jesus. When God responds to David, He immediately draws the focus to the coming Messiah who will rule over His kingdom forever. If that’s God’s perspective, then that should be ours as well.

Next week we’ll look at a New Testament example when God told Paul no.

When God Told David ‘No’

By Paula

David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 2 Samuel 12:16

Before we get started, I want to offer a few statements. This situation with David and the loss of his child is a difficult subject. The loss of a child and the heartwrenching grief that goes with it should not be overlooked, dismissed or trivialized. Nor should it spiritualized to the point of stripping it of the very human emotions and experience it encompasses. However David’s experience is recorded in Scripture to teach us, so we will carefully approach the story with the intent to learn about God and about ourselves.

In 2 Samuel 11, David’s sin with Bathsheba is detailed along with the concomitant sins of conspiracy, lies, and murder. In chapter 12 Nathan the prophet confronts the king and the sin is laid bare. It is an inescapable principle that sin brings judgment. In this case, the judgment was the death of David’s and Bathsheba’s son.

For seven days, during the child’s illness, David fasted and prayed, strenuously interceding for his son, for God’s grace to intervene and remove the judgment.

And God said no.

So what do we take away from this? Is God petty? Or perhaps vindictive? Or mean? No. But here are some things to consider.

Blasphemy is serious. Nathan explains, “However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” (2 Samuel 12:14) As we saw last week, God will not allow His name to be defamed. If we don’t protect His honor, He will.

Sin hurts innocent people both in an abstract and very personal sense. David’s and Bathsheba’s son died. Bathsheba’s husband died. Soldiers in Israel’s army lost their lives. All as a direct or indirect result of David’s sin. No doubt in the justification that preceded the sin and in the moment the line was crossed, David was sure no one would ever know about the encounter, no consequences would follow. But the self-delusion doesn’t overturn reality. Our sins cause the innocent pain and suffering. The ultimate outworking of that is the suffering and death of the innocent Christ for our sins.

Sin is not to be trifled with. Through David’s experience, we see that we cannot treat sin as a pet who occasionally makes messes we have to clean up and instead realize it is a killer we cannot control. Once we understand that we grasp how desperately we need a savior and God’s amazing grace in giving us one.

Admittedly, this was a tough one. There was another instance when God told David ‘no,’ but the circumstances and the results were much more uplifting. So are the lessons. We’ll look at that occasion next week.

Established

By Paula

And Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.” 2 Samuel 15:21

2 Samuel 15 is the account of the beginning of the civil war that Absalom started against his father David.
The understatement of scripture and our own knowledge of how the events resolve strip David’s escape from Jerusalem of its desperation.
David was fleeing for his life.

But Ittai still called David the king.
And David would be the king until God said otherwise. (v. 25-26)

It didn’t matter that Absalom’s co-conspirator’s declared that Absalom was now the king.
It didn’t matter that Ahithophel and others defected to help Absalom.
It didn’t even matter that there were those in Israel who would have preferred Absalom to rule over them.

God established David as king.

If you are where God has established you,
You may face tremendous opposition and maybe open rebellion.
You may face abandonment and betrayal.
You may face wrenching sorrow and desperation.

But if you are where God has established you,
There are people like Ittai who are loyal.
There are wise friends.
There are those who will weep with you.

David knew that God had established him as king.
So David also knew the battle would come … but on God’s terms and not Absalom’s.
Just a few chapters later, it did.

If you are where God has established you, you may just be a chapter away, too.

King David’s Anger

By Paula

So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! 2 Samuel 12:5

How quickly the king’s sense of justice was violated!
Judgment was pronounced swiftly and unwaveringly.
Deservedly so.
The sins were many.

Lack of pity
Immorality
Abuse of position
Lies
Greed
Deceit
and more.

David saw them all …
as long as Nathan was talking about someone else.

What about us?

When is our clarity greatest? When is our call for justice loudest? When is anger hottest?

At the failings of others? Or our own?

Isn’t there someone I can show the kindness of God to?

By Paula

And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” 2 Samuel 9:3

This was a risky, even ill-advised move on David’s part.
He had replaced Saul’s dynasty and it wasn’t a completely smooth transition.
In fact, it took seven years for David’s rule to be solidified.

But kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
It is the mark of a follower of Christ. (Colossians 3:12)
It is an act of grace.
It is an imitation of God Himself.
And it is extremely rare these days.

Which makes it all the more remarkable
When we follow David’s lead.
So today, every day, ask yourself

Isn’t there someone I can show the kindness of God to?

Facing Monday Renewed

By Paula

Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

Therefore
Recall all that God has said and done in the past.

You are great
Reaffirm the meaning of great. Disconnect it from its watered-down common usage.

O Lord GOD
Reestablish that He is your Lord and your GOD by the covenant relationship established in Christ.

For there is none like You
Recommit to the One who is uniquely, singularly God.

Nor is there any God besides You
Renounce anything that competes for your loyalty

According to all that we have heard with our ears
Rehearse the times you have witnessed God’s greatness.

Amen

Now, go face your day, your week… renewed.

Another Time When God Told David ‘No’

When God Told David ‘No’

Established

King David’s Anger

Isn’t there someone I can show the kindness of God to?

Facing Monday Renewed

Encounters Series

Covenant of Trust Series

Foundations Series