David-Nathan Tells Me A Story

Mary Vee
II Samuel 12

David Thoughts

Nathan the prophet asked to speak with me one morning. I of course invited him in to my chambers.

"Here, sit with me and tell me what is on your mind."

Nathan sat and accepted a drink. "I have a story to tell."

I liked hearing stories and was grateful he came to tell me one. "Yes, please go ahead."

He said, "All right. There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he had bought, and gave the best care he could. The little lamb grew u with him and his children. It ate from his table and drank from his cup. It slept in his lap and was like a daughter to him. 

"A traveler came to the rich man's home. The rich man wanted to treat the guest well, but did not want to offer any of his own flock to be used as food. He went to the poor man's house and took his one and only lamb. He had the lamb prepared as food for his guest."

The rich man in the story made me angry. If Nathan is talking about a real person, this man needs to be punished. I raised my fist, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this will die. And he will give to the poor man four times the value for the lamb because he did this awful deed with no pity."

Nathan leaned forward. "You are the man! The Lord God of Israel says, "I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your keeping and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that wasn't enough I would have given you much more! Why have you hated my law?

"You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and you have taken his wife to be your wife. I will bring trouble against you from your own house. I will give your wives to your neighbors. What you did in secret, I will do before all Israel."

He was right. I bowed my head in shame. "I have sinned against the Lord."

Nathan stood. "You won't die for this sin, but the baby will die."

My heart ached because of my terrible sin. I sang this Psalm to the Lord (Psalm 57)

Be merciful to me, O God,
    because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy
    wipe away my sins!
 Wash away all my evil
    and make me clean from my sin!

 I recognize my faults;
    I am always conscious of my sins.
 I have sinned against you—only against you—
    and done what you consider evil.
So you are right in judging me;
    you are justified in condemning me.
 I have been evil from the day I was born;
    from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

 Sincerity and truth are what you require;
    fill my mind with your wisdom.
 Remove my sin, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
    and though you have crushed me and broken me,
    I will be happy once again.
 Close your eyes to my sins
    and wipe out all my evil.

 Create a pure heart in me, O God,
    and put a new and loyal spirit in me.
 Do not banish me from your presence;
    do not take your holy spirit away from me.
 Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
 Then I will teach sinners your commands,
    and they will turn back to you.

 Spare my life, O God, and save me,
    and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness.
 Help me to speak, Lord,
    and I will praise you.

 You do not want sacrifices,
    or I would offer them;
you are not pleased with burnt offerings.
 My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;
    you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

 O God, be kind to Zion and help her;
    rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices
    and with our burnt offerings;
    and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

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To read more about David's sin go to II Samuel 11

1. Who came to visit David?
2. Why did he visit David?
3. What did the rich man do to the poor man?
4. What punishment did David want to give the rich man?
5. Who did David say was the rich man?
6. What punishment did God give David
7. What is Psalm 51 about?

David-I'd Like to Build a Temple

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 7

From David's Journal

courtesy of Christianimagesresource.com

The city of Jerusalem has been designated my home and the place where I will rule the Hebrew people as their king. 

With God's direction and power we've conquered the Philistines in two large battles. They've pretty much left us alone.

My home has been built and my men have settled comfortably into dwellings with their families. 

It took two attempts to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. That was my fault. I didn't respect God's commands the first time. Nonetheless, the Ark now rests in the Tabernacle, a temporary temple until one could be built. 

I wanted to show my love for God by building a grand temple. All of Israel would be able to come to it to worship the Almighty and bring their sacrifices. I must admit, though, many ideas pop in my head, but I've learned to ask God before I start. 

I sent for Nathan the prophet to discuss the temple. "Here I am, living in a palace made of exquisite cedar, and the Ark of God is placed in a tent of curtains. It's just not right. I'd like to build a temple for God."

Nathan rubbed his beard and I think I saw a glimmer in his eye. He said, "Okay, David. Whatever you have in mind, do it. The Lord God is with you."

But the same night, the Lord appeared to Nathan and talked to him about my idea. He gave the prophet a message to bring me. The next morning Nathan requested to speak with me.

"David, the Lord spoke with me last night about your idea to build a temple."

He looked a bit sad, like he was about to give bad news. I braced myself. "Yes?"

"He said these words: 'Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, "Build me a house of cedar?"'

"The Lord also said to tell you this, 'I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people, Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and fought off your enemies from before you. Now I will make you a great name, and I will provide a great place for my people Israel. The wicked won't oppress them anymore, and I will give you rest from all your enemies.'

"He also said to tell you this, 'When your days are over, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong I will punish him. But my love will never be taken away from him. Your house will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

I hardly knew what to say. He has blessed me so much! My son will be able to build a tempe for God. I had to go and thank the Lord myself. I will share that next time.

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1. What all had David completed with God's power to this date.
2. What did David want to do?
3. Who did he call to discuss the problem?
4. What did Nathan say?
5. That night who spoke with Nathan?
6. What did God tell Nathan to say to David?
7. How did David respond?