David’s Prayer

December 29, 2019 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:17 – 25; 1 Chronicles 17:16 – 27 Lesson Passage: 1 Chronicles 17:16 – 27 Our lesson text examines one of David’s prayers. In this prayer, David prayed in response to the prophetic word God sent to him by Nathan. Israel’s recorded history makes it clear that David was a man who depended on prayer and God’s response to his prayers. Prayer for David was as it should be for all of God’s children; it was a conversation David had with God and not a religious ritual or some ecclesiastical speech or recitation. David did not use meaningless or repetitious words that sounded sacred. David presented himself in God’s presence in humility. Whether as a keeper of his daddy’s sheep or king over all of God’s people, Israel, David always presented himself before God in humility; this can be noted from the content of David’s prayers that are recorded in the scriptures. David knew that whatever God did was not difficult for Him because He is all-powerful. There was no need for David to ask God how He did anything. David’s question to God was: Why are You doing such great things for me? David knew that his shortcomings were not hidden from God. David acknowledged that God knew all about him. Furthermore, there were no worldly credentials David had to offer God that would qualify him for the blessings God promised him. God had given David everything he had obtained. David also acknowledged that God was addressing him as though he was some great person of high degree among the people of the world—yet, David had no explanation for why God would do such a thing. Then David turned his attention away from himself towards God’s people, Israel. Israel was a great people because God had made them so. God took the initiative to claim Israel as His very own and redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. God established Israel in a land of their own. It was a land already developed (vineyards, farms, houses, etc.). The covenant and the numerous miraculous acts had endeared Israel to God as their God. This was not a temporary relationship but rather one that God established to be forever. What a privilege to receive something so great through no real effort of their own—other than obedience to God’s instructions and directions for them. David saw God’s choice of him similar to how he saw God’s choice of Israel. Both were undeserving and, at some point, had been among the least of all. God established Israel to be His example of holiness for the rest of the people of the world. They were set apart to become a nation of priests—a royal priesthood. Their government was designed to be a true theocracy. They were to have a God-centered and God-directed form of government and not just one where God is mentioned. This was not a government of the people and by the people but a government with God as the supreme ruler over the people. David understood this and thus he became a perfect leader for Israel. That is one of the reasons why prayer was such an important part of David’s life. Through his prayers, David acknowledged God as the supreme ruler of His own people. Earthly leaders were all servants of God whose purpose was the fulfillment of God’s desire for His people. David accepted his role as such and his attitude concerning it is apparent when one examines the content of his prayers. Robert C. Hudson November 25, 2019