Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Why King David Could Not Build the Temple

Why King David Could Not Build the Temple

Have you ever wondered why King David, who had such a heart for the Lord, was forbidden from building God’s temple?

God told the Israelite king, “You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight” (1 Chronicles 22:8 NIV84).

Yet God was the one who helped David kill Goliath and win victory after victory over the enemies of Israel. So why, if God empowered and blessed David to be successful in war, did He stop David from building the temple?

The answer is found in understanding the problem of sin, God’s solution for it, the purpose of the symbolic sacrificial system (temple services), and the limits of physical force.

 

Might and Power vs. God’s Kingdom

The problem of sin is a state of being; it is a condition of heart and mind that is out of harmony with God and His kingdom of love. Sin is rooted in lies that, when believed, break love and trust and result in fear and selfishness. Because of Adam, all of humanity has been infected with this terminal sin-condition – and all of humanity needs healing from it.

God’s kingdom is the kingdom of truth, love, and freedom. His plan of salvation does not to use might and force to destroy sin or even eradicate His enemies.

He could have wiped out Satan and all his angels more easily than you allowing a pebble to fall from your hand to the ground. But using force to kill enemies wouldn’t achieve God’s goal – because it can’t save sinners. In order to save sinners, God must destroy lies, eradicate fear, and eliminate selfishness from hearts and minds. Threats, physical might, and other coercive means cannot instill love, win friendship, eliminate fear, restore trust, or create loyalty. In other words, God can never win the war for our hearts and minds by the use of physical might.

Physical might has no power to cleanse hearts and minds, and it is limited in what it can righteously do. Physical might can only be used righteously to restrain evil:

  • A parent can use physical might to restrain a child from running into the street, but a parent cannot use might to force a child to love them.
  • A psychiatrist can use physical might to restrain a psychotic patient from harming themselves, but a psychiatrist cannot use might to force a patient to trust them.
  • A municipality can use physical might to restrain muggers and thieves, but it cannot use might to force the criminals to be honest people.
  • A nation can use physical might to restrain an invading army, but it cannot use might to force enemies to become friends.

God’s solution to sin is to:

  • Heal our hearts and minds (Psalm 51:10)
  • Circumcise our hearts by the Spirit (Romans 2:29)
  • Write His law in our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8:10)
  • Give us a new life of love (John 3:3)
  • Instill in us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
  • Take out the heart of stone and put in a tender heart (Ezekiel 36:26)
  • Turn His enemies into friends (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18 GNT)

Might and power cannot achieve God’s goal of healing our hearts and minds. Might and power cannot instill trust, win to love, inspire loyalty, and create friends. This is why the Bible teaches that God’s plan is “not by might nor by power, but by [His] Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV84). And His Spirit is the Spirit of truth and love – truth presented in love and leaving us free. Why? Because love, trust, friendship, and genuine heart and mind transformation require our agreement, our choice, our cooperation. If God were to use divine might to force a change in our minds and hearts without our cooperation, our individuality would be erased; we would be overwritten and no longer exist. The only way for God to heal us while we retain our unique identity is for each of us to be won to trust in God and choose to participate with Him for our healing.

This is why the Bible says that every person must be fully persuaded in their own mind (Romans 14:5).

 

The Sanctuary System

The Old Testament temple service was designed by God to reveal His plan to heal humankind from sin. In Old Testament times, Satan inspired various nations to assail Israel in his attempt to destroy the people through whom the Messiah would come, those to whom God’s truths were entrusted. David could be used by God to use physical might to restrain these destructive forces, but such methods could not be used to heal hearts and minds. Therefore, David could not build the temple, for in doing so, it would misrepresent reality, suggesting that might and power are legitimate ways to save from sin.

No – the temple had to be built by someone who used the principles of God’s kingdom and who would accurately reveal Jesus, the One who would build God’s true temple (Zechariah 6:12, 13).

Yes – Jesus is the builder of God’s true temple, of which the Old Testament temple was merely a symbol, an object lesson. To be faithful to God’s reality, the temple, which represents the hearts and minds of people being restored to righteousness, could not be built by force, might, violence, and the killing of enemies; it could only be built by truth and love lived out, leaving people free to choose – that is, the methods of peace.

Thus, after God told David that he could not build the temple because he was a man of violence, He also promised him this:

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever (1 Chronicles 22:9, 10 NIV84).

Solomon, a man of peace, could build the temple because only in truth, love, and freedom can God heal hearts and minds; might, force, violence, threats, and other forms of coercion can never do this.

Well would the church remember this lesson today: Might and power may restrain the enemies of God, but they can never turn enemies into friends.


Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA