David's Oath to Find a Home for God
Study note
Remember David and all his hardships. He swore an oath not to rest until he found a dwelling place for the Lord. The Ark was found in the fields of Jaar and brought to God's footstool.
1 LORD, remember David and all the hard things he went through. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2 He made a solemn promise to the LORD, a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 'I will not go back to my house or climb into my bed, Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not close my eyes to sleep or even let my eyelids rest I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5 until I find a home for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.' Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 We first heard about the ark of God in Ephrathah, and then we found it out in the fields of Jaar. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7 'Let us go to the place where God lives! Let us kneel down and worship at his footstool.' We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Stand up, LORD, and come to your resting place — you and the ark that carries your power. Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 May your priests be dressed in right living, and may your faithful people shout with joy. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
God's Promise to David
Study note
God swore an oath to David that will not be revoked: from David's own body God will place a king on his throne. The Lord has chosen Zion as his resting place forever. He will bless her with abundant provision, clothe her priests with salvation, and make a horn sprout for David.
10 Because of your servant David, do not turn your back on the king you have chosen. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The LORD made a solemn promise to David, and he will never go back on it: 'I will put one of your own children on your throne. The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If your sons stay true to my agreement and the rules I teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever.' If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 The LORD has picked Zion. He wanted it as his home. For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 'This is where I will rest forever. I will live here, because this is what I wanted. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will make sure this city always has plenty of food. Even the poorest people here will have enough bread. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will wrap her priests in saving power, and her faithful people will shout for joy. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 Right here I will raise up a strong king from David's family. I have set up a shining light for the one I have chosen. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 I will cover his enemies in shame, but the crown on his head will shine bright.' His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.