an important passage - As mentioned in the overview, the text that forms this lesson is the most important theological chapter in the books of Samuel and perhaps in all of Deuteronomistic History. God rejects David’s proffer of a house and instead promises to establish a home for David. This dynasty will last forever and even though sin will be punished, God promises never to remove the divine steadfast love and faithfulness.

home? - The key word in the lesson is bayit, which carries numerous nuances:

it is readily apparent that this chapter relies on a word play, involving the variant meanings of a simple word . . . the common Hebrew noun, bayit can, depending on context, mean, "home," "dwelling," palace," "temple," or "dynasty." All of these meanings play a role . . . but the critical theological focus is on the relationship between temple and dynasty. [1]

the learning curve? - The lesson elaborates on the relationship of the Davidic dynasty and promise. God is fully capable of raising David from the sheepfold, winning a name for him, and making a place for God’s people without a temple. [2]

[3] Describe the house you lived in as a ten year old. What do you still remember about it?

• What is at stake in this story-if David would have had his way? What implication is connected to David building a "house" for God in Jerusalem?
• In what way was Nathan’s prediction -God’s promise fulfilled? In what way was it not fulfilled?

 

block #1 - Describe your vision of the local church you attended growing up-or-what might it mean through the eyes of a child to see God’s house? Maybe the conception that God must be the prime resident at 1st Church.

block #2 - Suggest that this story reminds us of the ways we try to place boundaries around God who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

block #3 - Shift to 2 Samuel 7 by retelling the story of how David also has visions of offering God both a "hours" but also in the process drawing boundaries around God.

block #4 - Lesson #1: importance of considering God’s abiding presence in the midst of our own house/life programmes. Lesson #2: It is not a house made of cedar that God desires but God chooses to be housed in people. Lesson #3: God builds, instead a house for David-God wants more than our nice buildings and educational wings; God wants to be part of our very DNA and soul fabric. We may not be a dynasty, but we are God’s unlimited house.

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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible II (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), page 1254.
[2] New Proclamation 2002 (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), page 25.
[3] Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1998), page 354.