Shalt thou build me a house for me to dwell in? On reflection, the prophet, perhaps, felt some misgiving as to the wisdom of the counsel he had given to the king; and (in prayer) the same night (before any steps could be taken to carry it into effect) he received a Divine communication which he faithfully announced. The chief significance of this communication lies in the promise it contained with respect to "the house of David." But it was primarily and directly a prohibition of the king's resolve. "Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in" (1 Chronicles 17:4). The purpose of a good man is often "broken off" (Job 17:11; Job 29:18); not always, however, because of the clearer knowledge of the mind of God vouchsafed to him, but more commonly because of the difficulty and opposition he meets with in seeking its accomplishment, and his inability to overcome them. Of the purpose of David (as illustrative of that of others) observe that —

I. ALTHOUGH FORBIDDEN IT WAS NOT ALTOGETHER DISAPPROVED. "Thou didst well that it was in thine heart" (1 Kings 8:18); spoken of:

1. The spirit, in which his purpose was formed - grateful devotion and sincere desire of honourmg God and benefiting men. This is always the chief thing "in the sight of God, who searches the heart."

2. And the object toward which it was directed. It was not in itself displeasing to God, but received his sanction (Deuteronomy 12:10, 11; ver. 13). Yet:

3. How seldom is a human purpose, though in the main good, entirely unmingled with human imperfection! The language in which the purpose of David was forbidden seems to indicate that "his generous impulse was outrunning God's commandment, and that his ardour to serve was in some danger of forgetting his entire dependence on God, and of fancying that God would be the better for him" (A. Maclaren).

II. IT WAS NOT FORBIDDEN WITHOUT SUFFICIENT REASON (vers. 7, 8), viz.:

1. The dealings of God with his people in past time; showing that it was his pleasure that his dwelling place should be adapted to their unsettled condition; and that "a house of cedar" was not indispensable to his presence and blessing. He was satisfied to share their wanderings.

2. The absence of a Divine direction to build a permanent house. "It was not because of any negligence on the part of the former leaders of the people that they had not thought of erecting a temple" (Keil). Until the "word" should be spoken, no one might enter upon such an undertaking.

3. The unsuitableness of the present time - the still disturbed and warlike state of the kingdom (ver. 11). "Inasmuch as these wars were necessary and inevitable, they were practical proofs that David's kingdom and government were not yet established; and therefore that the time for the building of the temple had not yet come, and the rest of peace was not yet secured."

4. The incongruity of his career with the nature and design of the building. An abode of peace should be erected by a man of peace. "Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars; thou shalt not build a house to my Name," etc, (1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3; 1 Kings 5:3). "From whence could so sublime a precept descend, amidst a people constituted as the Jews were, unless from the Father of love and mercy?' (Milman). "War, however necessary it may be in certain circumstances for the kingdom of God, is only something accidental, the result of human corruption. The true nature of the kingdom of God is peace" (Hengstenberg). Still other reasons appear in what was promised to David (vers. 11, 12), without which the accomplishment of what he purposed in his heart was impossible.

III. IT WAS FORBIDDEN IN THE MOST GRACIOUS MANNER, (Vers. 8-11.) For God:

1. Assured him of the regard in which he was held by him. "David is here called God's servant, who is King of kings - the fairest flower in any king's crown, and highest title he can claim" (Guild).

2. Reminded him of the great things which he had already done for him; and which were an earnest of "still greater things than these" (Psalm 78:70-72).

3. Informed him of the safety and stability, the peace and prosperity, which (in continuance of his former mercies) he was about to grant to his people under his rule.

4. Promised to him rest from all his enemies, and an enduring dynasty (ch. 1:1, 2), "Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will make thee a house" (Psalm 132:11). What an abundant compensation was thus afforded for any disappointment that might be at first experienced! "Our own plans, though well intended, are often fit for nothing but to be laid aside to make way for the Lord's purposes respecting us, of which perhaps we had no conception" (Scott).

IV. IT WAS FORBIDDEN ONLY THAT IT MIGHT BE MORE EFFECTUALLY FULFILLED. (Vers. 12, 13.) "'Thou shalt not build a house for me' (vers. 5-7); but I, who have from the beginning till now glorified myself in thee and my people (vers. 8-11), will build a house for thee (ver. 11); and then thy son shall erect a house for me" (Thenius).

1. The purpose of man depends for its fulfilment upon the purpose of God.

2. The purpose which one man is unable to accomplish is often wrought out by another, who comes after him, under more favourable circumstances.

3. Although the former is not permitted to see the execution of his purpose, he may contribute greatly towards it, and does not go unrewarded.

4. Many a seeming failure is a real and glorious success; and "heaven is made for those who fail in this world." - D.

It is —

I. GROUNDED ON GOD'S PROMISE.

II. IT REGARDS GOD'S HONOUR SOLELY (ver. 24).

III. IT ASCRIBES ALL TO GOD'S FREE GRACE.

IV. IT APPEALS TO GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

V. IT RECEIVES THE FULNESS OF GOD'S BLESSING.

(J. Wolfendale.)