David Prepares the Temple - The Life of David Series
Last time, we saw how David sinned, repented, and was forgiven by God. Now, near the end of his life, David still has one deep desire: he wants to serve God with all his heart. His biggest dream is to build a beautiful temple for the Lord. But God is about to say no to David’s dream. How David responds gives us a powerful picture of what it means to serve God faithfully, even when His plan looks different than ours.
Read 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 22; 28, 29:2
David lived in a palace made of cedar, but the ark of God still dwelled in a tent. That didn’t sit right with him. Out of love for God, he wanted to build a permanent house worthy of His glory. It’s like when you want to do something special for someone you love; David’s heart was full of that same excited devotion.
When David shared his plan with Nathan the prophet, Nathan encouraged him: “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” Having godly friends to encourage us is important—but as Nathan soon found out, sometimes even good advice needs to be corrected by God’s Word. God reminded David that He had never asked for a house of cedar. Instead, God made a greater promise: “The Lord will make you a house.” Rather than David building something for God, God would build David a family line that would last forever - fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom will never end.
Even though David wouldn’t build the temple himself, God gave him the blueprints through the Spirit. David carefully passed them to Solomon so God’s work would be done God’s way. When God calls us to a project, He always equips us with what we need. God explained that David was a man of war who had shed much blood. The temple was to be a place of peace, so it would be built by Solomon, the king of peace. This must have been hard for David to hear. Imagine preparing everything for the biggest Lego structure ever, only to be told you can’t build it. But God’s “no” wasn’t a punishment, it was simply a different assignment.
God promised that Solomon, David’s son, would complete the temple. Rather than growing bitter, David embraced his new role: to prepare the way. David said, “I will now make preparation for it.” And he did this by gathering gold, silver, bronze, cedar, and countless resources. He trained workers, organized leaders, and encouraged Solomon. David gave with all his heart and all his strength, even though he would never see the temple finished.
This is a lesson for us: even if we don’t get the role we wanted, we can still serve with joy. Maybe you don’t score the winning goal on the soccer team, but you cheer your teammates on. Maybe you aren’t the lead in the play, but you give your best in your part. Maybe you won’t see the results of your service now, but God sees your heart.
It’s like planting a seed: The one who plants may never sit in the shade of the tree, but they plant anyway because they care about the future. That’s what David did!
1. David wanted to build God a house, but God built a house for David.
2. David wanted to prepare a place for God to dwell, but now we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
3. David prepared with all his might, but Jesus prepared the way fully through the cross.
4. David’s son Solomon built a temporary temple, but the Son of David, Jesus, is building an eternal kingdom.
The takeaway? David prepared a temple he would never build, but Jesus is building a Kingdom we get to be part of forever.
Application Time:
1. Serve faithfully even when you don't get the credit - Help set up or clean up without being asked, prepare materials for others to use, encourage someone else who gets chosen for the special job.
2. Invest in the next generation - Teach younger kids what you know about God, share your Bible stories with siblings, help prepare Sunday School materials for the younger classes.
3. Handle disappointment with grace - When you don't get picked for the solo, make the team, or win the contest, choose to support others instead of becoming bitter.
4. Give your best to God's work - David didn't give leftovers; he gave the best. Give your best effort in church, your best offering, your best attention during Bible lessons.
Prepare for the future - Study God's Word now even if you don't understand it all, develop skills that can serve God later, build friendships that will last
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think God said "no" to David building the temple? Was He mad at David?
2. How did David respond when God told him he couldn't build the temple? What would you have done?
3. What are some ways you can prepare or help others succeed in something you can't do yourself?
4. David gave billions of dollars worth of materials for a temple he'd never see. What does this teach us about serving God?
5. How is the church like a temple that Jesus is building? What does it mean that we are "living stones"?
Memory Verse:
"Serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts." 1 Chronicles 28:9
Read 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 22; 28, 29:2
David lived in a palace made of cedar, but the ark of God still dwelled in a tent. That didn’t sit right with him. Out of love for God, he wanted to build a permanent house worthy of His glory. It’s like when you want to do something special for someone you love; David’s heart was full of that same excited devotion.
When David shared his plan with Nathan the prophet, Nathan encouraged him: “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” Having godly friends to encourage us is important—but as Nathan soon found out, sometimes even good advice needs to be corrected by God’s Word. God reminded David that He had never asked for a house of cedar. Instead, God made a greater promise: “The Lord will make you a house.” Rather than David building something for God, God would build David a family line that would last forever - fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom will never end.
Even though David wouldn’t build the temple himself, God gave him the blueprints through the Spirit. David carefully passed them to Solomon so God’s work would be done God’s way. When God calls us to a project, He always equips us with what we need. God explained that David was a man of war who had shed much blood. The temple was to be a place of peace, so it would be built by Solomon, the king of peace. This must have been hard for David to hear. Imagine preparing everything for the biggest Lego structure ever, only to be told you can’t build it. But God’s “no” wasn’t a punishment, it was simply a different assignment.
God promised that Solomon, David’s son, would complete the temple. Rather than growing bitter, David embraced his new role: to prepare the way. David said, “I will now make preparation for it.” And he did this by gathering gold, silver, bronze, cedar, and countless resources. He trained workers, organized leaders, and encouraged Solomon. David gave with all his heart and all his strength, even though he would never see the temple finished.
This is a lesson for us: even if we don’t get the role we wanted, we can still serve with joy. Maybe you don’t score the winning goal on the soccer team, but you cheer your teammates on. Maybe you aren’t the lead in the play, but you give your best in your part. Maybe you won’t see the results of your service now, but God sees your heart.
It’s like planting a seed: The one who plants may never sit in the shade of the tree, but they plant anyway because they care about the future. That’s what David did!
1. David wanted to build God a house, but God built a house for David.
2. David wanted to prepare a place for God to dwell, but now we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
3. David prepared with all his might, but Jesus prepared the way fully through the cross.
4. David’s son Solomon built a temporary temple, but the Son of David, Jesus, is building an eternal kingdom.
The takeaway? David prepared a temple he would never build, but Jesus is building a Kingdom we get to be part of forever.
Application Time:
1. Serve faithfully even when you don't get the credit - Help set up or clean up without being asked, prepare materials for others to use, encourage someone else who gets chosen for the special job.
2. Invest in the next generation - Teach younger kids what you know about God, share your Bible stories with siblings, help prepare Sunday School materials for the younger classes.
3. Handle disappointment with grace - When you don't get picked for the solo, make the team, or win the contest, choose to support others instead of becoming bitter.
4. Give your best to God's work - David didn't give leftovers; he gave the best. Give your best effort in church, your best offering, your best attention during Bible lessons.
Prepare for the future - Study God's Word now even if you don't understand it all, develop skills that can serve God later, build friendships that will last
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think God said "no" to David building the temple? Was He mad at David?
2. How did David respond when God told him he couldn't build the temple? What would you have done?
3. What are some ways you can prepare or help others succeed in something you can't do yourself?
4. David gave billions of dollars worth of materials for a temple he'd never see. What does this teach us about serving God?
5. How is the church like a temple that Jesus is building? What does it mean that we are "living stones"?
Memory Verse:
"Serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts." 1 Chronicles 28:9
Posted in Calvary Kids