King David after consolidating his rule with all of the tribes of Israel and establishing his capital city in Jerusalem looks to center the worship of God in his capital as well. Instead of the various local shrines all the people will look to Jerusalem as the place for religious devotion. David proposes that kingdom and cult will re-inforce each other in the temple, the house of God, he proposes to build. He runs this by the prophet who initially agrees. However, after a revelation from God the prophet comes to David and tells him, “No so fast, buddy.” The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. Instead of David doing something for God, God is doing something for David. There is a constant temptation to imagine we need to do something to get God’s favor — one more prayer, one more act of charity, one more work of mercy. We need to learn that God loves us first, before we do anything. In fact, all that we do is a response to what God has already done in us and for us. Nothing is earned — all is grace.
