Why God Warned David in the Night Before He Built the Temple

Midrash Shmuel 26:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Natan, saying: Go and say unto My servant, unto David: Thus saith the LORD: Shalt thou build Me a house for Me to dwell in?" (2 Samuel 7:4-5). Rav said: He gave him deep counsel that night. Rabbi Chanina bar Pappa and Rabbi Simon [interpreted this]. Rabbi Chanina bar Pappa said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Natan the prophet: Natan, this man to whom I am sending you is quick. Hurry, before he hires workers; go and say to him, "You shall not build Me a house," so that he will not have a grievance against Me. And Rabbi Simon said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Natan the prophet: Natan, this man to whom I am sending you is one who makes vows. Hurry, before he vows; go and say to him, "You shall not build Me a house," so that he will not be put to shame before the Sanhedrin.

Retold in these myths

The Flask, the Horn, and the Face That Rose UpwardIsrael's first king was anointed from a fragile flask, and a medieval midrash insists the vessel itself already knew his crown would shatter.

Themes

ProphecyKingship

Biblical References

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