“Now David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.’ So David made abundant preparations before his death. Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel” (1 Chronicles 22:5-6).
Because of His love for God, David’s desired to build a house for God. However, God did not want David to do this. David spoke to his son Solomon about this. “And David said to Solomon: ‘My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. He shall build a 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 forever”'”(1 Chronicles 22:7-10).
At this point in his life, David had broadened the borders of his kingdom and subdued many nations under his feet. He was a powerful king of a powerful nation. Yet, he was not so powerful that he was unwilling to submit himself to the authority of God. He is an example of meekness, i.e. strength under control. “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Although he wanted to build God a house, God did not want him to because he had shed much blood during his lifetime. Rather than fight against God’s Will for him, David chose to accept God’s Will for him and he contented himself with living within the boundaries God had established for him. God did not want David to build the temple, but the Lord did allow David to make preparations for the building of the temple and David went through extensive lengths to prepare for the building of the temple. He raised money, gathered materials, put together a work force, organized the priest into divisions, and encouraged the current leaders to help Solomon build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:14-24:31). David made up his mind that he would do his best to fulfill God’s role for him!
As I reflect about David’s reaction to God’s role for him in not allowing him to build the temple, I ask myself, “Am I content with God’s role for me?” In my physical family do I seek to fulfill my role to the best of my ability as a father, husband, mother, wife, parent, child, brother or sister? Am I content with my role in my church family or do I go about creating divisions because I want to have my way? As a man or woman am I content with the roles God has given me and to live within the boundaries of His Will for me (cf. Genesis 3:16-19; 1 Timothy 2:8-15)?
The apostle Paul encourages us to fulfill our roles to the utmost of our abilities: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Today, I will rejoice in the roles God has given to me. I will strive to follow David’s example of being content in whatever state I find myself and fulfill my roles to the glory of God!
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).