Working through the King David texts has made me shift the focus at times to the people who interact with David. Nathan is best known for his role in confronting David about Urriah's death (later in 2 Samuel), but Nathan plays a similar role in this story. I was struck by how Nathan was initially supportive, but then heard from God and then shared with David the news God did not want David to build the Temple. One of David's great attributes that is emerging as we work through these stories is his vision for what is next, but he tempers that vision with a willingness to iisten and take corrective action when his vision fails.
The sermon began with the idea that David needed a friend (see sermon title for proof), but the sermon moved in a little bit different way as I worked on it.
“When You need a Friend” July 22, 2018, SAPC, Denton; 2 Samuel 7: 1-17
2 Samuel 7: 1 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders[a] of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not take[b] my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me;[c] your throne shall be established forever. 17 In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
Introduction: the Psalmist reminds us of the important role King David played, both in that immediate moment in Israel’s history, but also in connection to the promise God makes to God’s people.
The passage from 2 Samuel we read this morning reveals an interesting moment in David’s rule. A time when David had a grand vision for what he could do for God; a time when Nathan called him to rethink that vision.
let’s look at how Nathan and David interact in this story.
Move 1: First of all, Nathan.
a. this is the first time we meet Nathan in the biblical texts.
1. some scholars call this section the Oracle of Nathan (Ralph W. Klein Christ Seminary-Seminex professor emeritus of Old Testament Lutheran School of Theology, http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2528)
2. G H Jones has under- taken the most complete study of the prophet, and compiled a variety of opinions on his role and personality Nathan is variously described as an enigmatic 'counselor',
a 'public functionary at the royal court',
an ‘indigenous Jebusite court official' co-opted into the new regime,
a 'minister with special responsibilities in the immediate entourage of the king',
a 'person involved m a political intrigue for whom the label "prophet" is a misguided addition',
and not least, 'a typical political schemer who depended entirely on human means to achieve his purpose. (“NATHAN PROPHET, POLITICIAN AND NOVELIST?”
Keith Bodner, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
September 1, 2001, 43-54, 43)
3. We probably call him prophet, but think David would call him friend; the kind of friend we all need.
a Nathan supports David
1. Easy to agree with the king, I suppose, but nathan’s first response is wholehearted support of David’s idea to build a Temple to house the ark.
2. We need people in our lives to support us, to hear our dreams and respond with enthusiasm and encouragement.
3. SYW talent show. Rule that everyone gets a standing ovation. Imagine, you can risk sharing your talent because you know that the group will support you.
4. As I observed the talent show, I know that some of those sharing their talents would not have done so at any other place. Support allows
5. We need friends we can count on to support us.
6. In fact, we need to be the kind of friend to others who know they can count on us to support them.
b. But Nathan is also a truth-teller.
1. After giving his support to David’s vision, God sends word to Nathan that God does not want David to build a temple.
2. We know other prophets, not the great ones like Isaiah, Jeremiah, but prophets of other kings, would tell the kings whatever the kings wanted to hear.
2. But not Nathan.
3. Nathan steps up and tells David the truth - God does not want you to build the Temple.
4. That takes guts.
5. Imagine having to tell you boss that her great idea is not so great after all.
6. or, telling a friend who enthusiastically has shared with you his plan that you don’t think his plan is such a great idea.
7. Easy to skip the conversation, or avoid it.
8. But Nathan steps up, and “in accordance” with all that God told him, “Nathan spoke to David.”
c. Most of us need a Nathan in our lives.
1. it’s easy to find people to share with us in superficial ways.
2. People who easily agree with us when it is easy to support us.
3. But when the conversation is going to be difficult, they disappear.
4. Nathan is a true friend to David because he offers a clear assessment of what David has in mind, even when the assessment is contrary to David’s vision.
5. I was in a prayer group in seminary. Started out with chain letters. went to email. Supportive. Shared ideas. challenged each other. the others have died or retired, and I miss it.
d. Important role of our church community
1. To surround us with people who will speak the truth in love.
2. who care enough and want to help us grow in who are enough to take seriously our hopes and dreams.
3. My Name Is Bill, susan Cheever: Early in the AA development, Wilson was offered the opportunity to move the program permanently into a facility and become staff counselor for alcoholics. He thought he heard God’s voice telling him to do so. That night when he gathered at a meeting with other recovering alcoholics, he shared his news and they talked him out of it. It began what is called the “group conscience” (142-143).
We need people in our lives to tell us the truth; we need to be people willing to risk telling others the truth.
Move 2: David had many great attributes on display in this story.
a. Great warrior; great leader; political savvy. We see it on display as he envisions what is next in his role as elder of God’s people.
b. But he also displays a great gift - he listens.
1. He listened to his friend Nathan.
2. He did not have to listen. He was king. he could easily have dismissed Nathan.
3. But he chooses to listen, to hear these hard words, to recognize their truth.
c. Not only do we need good friends to tell us the truth, but we need to listen.
Move 3: Final thought on being a good friend from this text.
a. David wants to be a good friend to God, if you will.
1. Give back to God.
2. Honor God.
3. Build God a house..
b. but something in the asking does not sit right with God.
1. Maybe it’s still too much about David.
2. Maybe the time is not right.
3. All we know is that God does not accept David’s offer of a “house” or “temple.”
c. But God makes David an offer.
1. A similar offer, in some ways.
2. A play off the Hebrew word “house” (bayit), which has three meanings in Hebrew. It can mean “house,” “temple” or even “dynasty.” David had wanted to build a house that is a temple for the Lord. God, however, stunningly reverses roles by promising to build the “house” that is a dynasty for David. God rejects “temple,” but promises “dynasty.” (http://cep.calvinseminary.edu/sermon-starters/proper-11b-2/?type=old_testament_lectionary, Doug Bratt, Calvin Seminary)
3. God will provide a dynasty
4. In the short run, the Israelites thought the dynasty was the long rule of David and then the prosperous reign of Solomon, David’s son.
5. we recognize that God’s promise did not culminate in Solomon’s reign, but in the coming of Christ.
6. When it comes to having a friend, David and the generations that come after, will discover the enduring friendship of God that still claims us today. Amen.
conclusion:
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