Why was king David not allowed to build the temple for the Lord? Why did God want Salomo to build the temple instead of David? King David was a man after God’s heart, wasn’t he? Therefore you would think that David was the right person to build the temple; the house of the Lord. David considered himself suitable and David wanted to build the temple and therefore David made preparations for the temple. But God thought differently about this matter and didn’t allow David to build the temple for Him. David was allowed to make preparations for the temple, but David was not allowed to build the temple. What does the Bible say about the reason why God didn’t allow David to build the temple?
David was a man after God’s own heart
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee (1 Samuel 13:14)
And when He had removed him, He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will (Acts 13:22).
David was indeed a man after God’s heart, who fulfilled His will.
David lived in a house of cedars, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord was under tent curtains.
Therefore David wanted to build a temple for the Lord God Almighty. So that the ark of the covenant of the Lord was no longer under tent curtains, but in a house; a temple.
David shared his plan with Nathan. Nathan told David, that he should do what was in his heart because he knew that God was with David.
David’s plan to build a temple was thwarted by God, because God didn’t allow David to build the temple for Him
You would have thought, that David’s plan to build a temple for God was a wonderful initiative. Unfortunately, David’s plan to build a temple for God was soon thwarted by God. God didn’t allow David to build the temple for Him.
Because that same night, the Word of the Lord came to Nathan saying: “Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in: For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars? Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.
Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning, And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the Lord will build thee an house.
“I will be his Father, and he shall be My son”
And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.”
Nathan went to David and shared with him, what God had told him and shown him through this vision. Instead of David became rebellious against God, David went in and sat before the Lord. David exalted the Lord God and thanked Him for His words and His promise (1 Chronicle 17).
King David was allowed to make preparations for the temple building
Although David was not allowed to build His temple, David was allowed to make preparations for the temple. David gathered materials and arranged workmen for his son Solomon. Because Solomon was young and inexperienced and the work of the temple was great.
David gave the blueprint for the temple
King David called for Solomon his son and commanded Solomon to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David gave him the blueprint. Because the Lord had made David understand in writing by His hand upon him, all the work and all the details to be done according to this plan (1 Chronicles 22:6-7; 1 Chronicles 28:11-19).
David commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, by building the temple (1 Chronicles 22:17).
The people gave willingly to the Lord and His house
David provided with all his ability for the house of his Lord God. He gave his personal treasures of gold and silver, next to all the talents of gold and silver, he had already given to the holy house.
David asked the assembly, who were willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord and give for the house of the Lord.
Many people were willing and gave and offered freely to the Lord with a whole and blameless heart and the people rejoiced. Then they all blessed the Lord God and bowed down their heads and worshipped the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:1-20)
Why was David not allowed to build the temple for the Lord?
Why Did God not allow David to build the temple? Why was David not allowed to build the temple for God? David was not allowed to build the temple for God, because David was a man of war. David had made great wars and had shed blood abundantly.
And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God: But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto My name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in My sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for My name; and he shall be My son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever (1 Chronicles 22:7-10)
Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for My name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood (1 Chronicles 28:2-3)
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