Introduction

David went into the tent which housed the Ark and sat before the Lord. This attitude of devotion seems not to be mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament, but it is a characteristic posture of prayer in the ancient East. It may be seen in Mohammedan worship to this day.

Both David and his nation were "on a roll." The enemies of the past were crushed (especially the Philistines); the Israelite tribes were uniting and beginning to prosper; and now Jerusalem had become the religious center.

David now ponders it all. This portion of the narrative - 2 Samuel 7:18-29 - is referred to as "David’s Prayer." It is a chance to reflect, a chance to pause for thought, a time to sort everything out. Good prayer - nourishing prayer - will do that. All of us need to take time to pause and ref…