David & Michal
6:16-23
There are always some people, even religious people, who completely miss the blessing of an event because they focus on the wrong things. While others are caught up in joy, those people are trapped in disapproval.
So it happened with David and Michal. David was overjoyed to bring the ark to Jerusalem. He worshipped God intently. He danced, whirling and leaping. He offered extravagant sacrifices, both burnt offerings and peace offerings.
The burnt offering turns away (propitiates) God’s wrath for sin. (Leviticus 1:4)
The peace offering was a voluntary offering given either for thanksgiving, upon the payment of a vow, or as a free expression of the worshiper’s love for God. (Leviticus 7:11–18)
When it was done, he extravagantly fed all of the people, giving each one bread, meat, and cake. He served God and he served his people.
Michal, on the other hand, was more concerned with appearances than with worship or celebration. She had seen David dancing and wearing the ephod. She greeted him with sarcastic criticism. She said he dishonored himself, especially by dancing in the ephod and not wearing his royal attire.
But David was undeterred! He said God chose him to lead Israel (and rejected Saul’s house, of which Michal was a part) and he would make merry before the LORD. Not only that, he would not cater to her need for royal dignity, but was do more things she would find contemptible.
But, he said, those servants she thought saw him debased, would hold him in honor. They would see his love for the Lord and his service to Israel and would honor him for the very things Michal despised. He would not act like he was better than the common people.
The writer added that Michal never had a child. It is a short statement, but it appears to imply that God judged her for her contempt of God’s anointed one.
So we see David here as devoted to the Lord and the House of Saul spiritually bankrupt.
David’s Desire
7:1-3
With this passage, we move forward an unspecified amount of time. David has finished building his house and lives in it. His enemies are subdued and he lives in peace.
Having time to contemplate things, David decided that it was not right for him to live in a luxurious house while the ark resides in a tent. He discussed it with Nathan the prophet. Nathan spoke “off the cuff” and tells David to do whatever he wants, because the Lord was with him.
It was a reasonable thought. After all, David was God’s man and had God’s favor. But, God had other plans.
The Lord Speaks To Nathan
7:4-7
That night God spoke to Nathan. And he told Nathan what to tell David.
First, God said he had dwelt in the tent (tabernacle) for a long time as it moved from place to place during the time of the Exodus and the judges. He never commanded any of them to build him a house.
And, as the martyr Stephen pointed out, God does not need a house and is not constrained by it. He pointed out that “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands”. (Acts 7:48) He cited Isaiah 66:1-2, quoting God as saying: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?”
God seems to be saying, if I needed or wanted a house, I would make one.
What God Has Done For David
7:8-9
Now, as opposed to what David wants to do for God, God says what he has already done for David. He elevated him from the pasture to the throne. H had also been with David every step of the way and had defeated David’s enemies.
What God Will Do For David
7:10-17
Again, as opposed to what David wants to do for God, God now tells David what he will do for him.
First, he will make David’s name as a great as the great ones of history.
Second, he will plant Israel and give them peace.
Third, God will establish the kingdom of David’s son. And that son will build the house for God. Though God will discipline him if he sins, he will not withdraw his steadfast love from David’s line.
Fourth, instead of David building God a house (meaning a structure), God will build David a house (a dynasty). It is a nice play on the word house. God will establish David’s throne forever.
Nathan relayed all of God’s words to David. Notice that God kept the offices separate. David was king, but not a prophet. God spoke to David through the prophet, who was Nathan.
Thus, we have the Davidic Covenant, God’s covenant with David.
So, let’s think about redemptive history a little.
God made a covenant with Abraham that he would bless all nations through him and his descendants. (Genesis 121:1-3)
Then he spoke through Jacob to show us that the offspring of Abraham that would bless the nations would come through the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:8-10) Now God has further narrowed the prophesy to show that savior will be a descendant of David.
The Jews clung to that promise, looking for a messiah would be a descendant of David and fulfill the promises of God.
That descendant is Jesus. Matthew began his gospel by tracing the lineage of Jesus back to David, calling Jesus the son of David, referring back to the covenant language of God. (Matthew 1:1)
The angel Gabriel told Mary that God would give Jesus the throne of his father David and he will reign forever and of his kingdom there will be no end, again referring back to the covenant language. (Luke 1:26-33)
God kept his word!
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