David had drawn up the plans. He designed the furniture. He collected the materials. He made all the arrangements (see 1 Chron. 28:11–19). But the first temple built in Jerusalem is known as Solomon’s Temple, not David’s.

大卫已经草拟了计划，亲自规划其中的摆设、收集建材，将一切安排妥当（参见历代志上28章11-19节）。然而，建造在耶路撒冷的首座圣殿却是以所罗门为名，而非大卫。

For God had said, “You are not the one” (1 Chron. 17:4). God had chosen David’s son Solomon to build the temple. David’s response to this denial was exemplary. He focused on what God would do, instead of what he himself could not do (vv. 16–25). He maintained a thankful spirit. He did everything he could and rallied capable men to assist Solomon in building the temple (see 1 Chron. 22).

因为上帝曾对大卫说：“你不可建造殿宇给我居住”（历代志上17章4节）。上帝拣选了大卫之子所罗门来建造圣殿，而大卫面对上帝的拒绝所做出的回应则堪称典范，因为他把焦点放在上帝要做的事，而非自己所不能做的事（16-25节）。大卫仍持守一颗感恩的心，尽力做好自己所能做的，并召聚了一批有才干的人协助所罗门建造圣殿（参见历代志上22章）。

Bible commentator J. G. McConville wrote: “Often we may have to accept that the work which we would dearly like to perform in terms of Christian service is not that for which we are best equipped, and not that to which God has in fact called us. It may be, like David’s, a preparatory work, leading to something more obviously grand.”

解经家麦康威（J. G. McConville）曾写道：“很多时候，我们最渴望投入的福音事工，其实不是我们所在行的，也不是上帝对我们的呼召。可能就像大卫所做的一样，是预备性的工作，为要成就将来更耀眼的工程。”

David sought God’s glory, not his own. He faithfully did all he could for God’s temple, laying a solid foundation for the one who would come after him to complete the work. May we, likewise, accept the tasks God has chosen for us to do and serve Him with a thankful heart! Our loving God is doing something “more obviously grand.”

大卫要尊荣上帝，而非自己。他为上帝的殿忠心地摆上一切，为接续工程的人奠下了坚实的根基。愿我们也能像大卫一样，接受上帝选召我们去做的工，以感恩的心事奉祂！相信这位慈爱的上帝正在“成就一份更耀眼的工程”。

Father, we want our hopes and dreams and our hearts to align with Yours. Teach us to praise You when we are tempted to doubt Your goodness.

1 Chronicles 17:1-4New International Version (NIV)

17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”

2 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”

3 But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.

1 Chronicles 17:16-25New International Version (NIV)

David’s Prayer

16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You,Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.

18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 Lord. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.

20 “There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised,24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

25 “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.

整理：于姊妹