2 Samuel 7:1-16 - The House of God

Do you enjoy camping? My family always camped in an RV at a trailer park. We had a refrigerator, sink, stove and bathroom. Some people say that’s not camping. True campers sleep in tents, they claim. Even if you’re a “true camper,” would you like to live in a tent indefinitely, for years?

My guess is that most of us prefer our comfortable homes. We like our soft beds and favorite blankets. We like running water and cold ice-cream. We like carpet under our feet and a place to store our treasures.

Yet for a time, God preferred to make his presence among his people known in a tent. Granted, it was quite an elaborate tent. It measured about the size of half a football field. It contained two main rooms with a large courtyard. It was made with expensive fabric and gold overlay and was fully furnished (Exodus 26). On top of all that, God’s tent was fully portable.

King David, on the other hand, lived in his royal castle. We don’t have all the details, but David called it “a palace of cedar” (2 Samuel 7:2). Apparently David thought that God deserved better. After all, God deserves better than his people, right? No. God reminded David that he had been tenting among his people for over 450 years. And God never asked David or anyone else to build him a house of cedar.

God was more concerned with building a house of people. We can’t be too hard on David for wanting to do a nice thing for God. But isn’t it great how God would rather do nice things for us? God promised David a son. That son would build God’s house.

One of David’s sons was Solomon. He eventually succeeded David as king. God gave Solomon the pleasure of building a house of cedar for him. Solomon built one of the finest temples the world has ever seen. The new temple was similar in layout to the old tent, but Solomon spared no expense. He used the finest wood, stone and precious metal he could find.

Another son of David, however, built a house far more important than Solomon’s Temple. Jesus Christ is that other Son. Jesus became the cornerstone of a living temple. Its foundation is built upon the word of apostles and prophets. The living stones are believers who offer spiritual sacrifices to God in thanks for his salvation (1 Peter 2:4-8).

God calls this living, spiritual temple his chosen people. He declares them a royal priesthood and holy nation. Jesus has given his people reason to declare God’s praises (1 Peter 2:9). Those who believe in Jesus are not just a temple, they are also a palace. Jesus is the king; his people are his kingdom. God promises that this kingdom of David’s son will endure forever. And God’s people, his house, will reign with him forever (Revelation 22:5).

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