We have three challenging readings today. Our initial thoughts were on David’s reaction to being told of a special son and that “the throne of his kingdom … I will establish forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son … his throne shall be established forever” (1 Chronicles 17:12-14). David is overwhelmed by God’s reaction to his desire to build a Temple, especially by his reference to a “son” for God! David is completely humbled by the message from Nathan the prophet, that God would “build a house” for David (meaning a royal line of descent, like the royal family are of ‘the house of Windsor’) and this house “shall be established forever”. Many times Jesus is called by his hearers, “Son of David” (Matthew 21:9,15; 22:42, etc.). This title in particular upset the religious leaders.

It is the reaction of David that particularly requires attention. “King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, ‘Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O LORD God! And what more can David say to you for honouring your servant? For you know your servant’” (verses 16-18).

Note that final observation, “for you know your servant”. That is a special sense of “know” – of having an intimate relationship – and this is illustrated wonderfully in some of David’s Psalms (e.g. Psalm 139 which is a very moving). The same idea is picked up in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He tells them, “in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (3:26) and “heirs according to the promise” (verse 29).

Is our reaction to “the promise” like David’s? Do we sit or kneel “before the Lord”? If our faith is genuine there should be at least one or two special occasions when we will. Paul tells them, they “have come to know God, or rather to be known by God …” (4:9). What sense of wonder and resultant commitment this should cause us! Our reaction should be like David’s, “Who am I, O LORD?”