47 But it was Solomon who built the house for him.
Sometimes we don’t get to accomplish some of the tasks that we want to in life. This can lead to disappointment and even discouragement if we let it. Meeting goals and striving to meet goals can be a great motivating force in our lives. Our text summarizes David’s disappointment in this short verse. His son Solomon would be the one to build the house. David had desired to build a permanent place to provide a focal point of worship in Israel. The Tent of Meeting had been around since leaving Egypt. But it was a temporary structure, one that could be moved from place to place. David wanted to build a permanent structure, a structure that would visually represent the greatness and character of the Lord his God. But he would not get to carry out this great task. It would be passed to his son. I am sure when David first heard this he was greatly disappointed. He was the one with the plans in his head. He had been dreaming for years about this structure. As Stephen shares this part of Israel’s history with the religious leaders I think he is trying to get a point across; the first generation of Jesus-followers will not get to experience everything they desire. That privilege will fall to their children. Remember that the religious traditions of that day expected the Messiah to start His glorious kingdom at his arrival. The crowds on Palm Sunday expected to usher in this glorious kingdom. Their cries told the story. They wanted to be the ones to usher in this earthly kingdom. But their cries went unheeded. Jesus would not set up His kingdom at this time. But there would be a day when that kingdom would be established. David wanted to build the Temple, but Solomon built it in his place.
The Arnold Journey 