Part 9 - God's Blessings Grows - The Big Picture Story Bible

Summary4 min read

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Big Picture Story Bible
Host/Narrator: David Helm (Crossway)
Episode Title: Part 9 – God's Blessings Grow
Release Date: April 28, 2020

In this episode of The Big Picture Story Bible, David Helm explores the growth of God’s blessings through the story of King David, his son Solomon, and the unfolding promise of a forever king who will bring God’s blessings to all nations. The episode draws connections between God’s covenants with Abraham and David, the building of the first temple, and the anticipation of the true Promised One.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. David’s Desire to Honor God

David, moved by gratitude for God’s goodness, plans to build a house for God.
Quote: “David decided to build God a house. But one night, God sent word to David. He didn't want David to build him a house. God said that David's son would build the house instead.” (00:20)

2. God’s Unexpected and Greater Promise

Instead of accepting a house from David, God surprises David with a much bigger promise:
- To build “a house”—meaning a kingdom—for David that will endure.
- To raise up a descendant who will be God’s king forever.
Quote: “God promised to build David a house. Not a real house made of bricks or wood, but a kingdom. God's kingdom.” (00:33)
The promise includes that someone from David’s family would be the Promised One to bless all nations.
Quote: “This forever ruler would be the Promised One who would bring God's blessing to all the peoples of the earth.” (00:47)

3. David’s Response to God’s Promise

David is filled with joy and gratitude. He thanks God and the promise becomes part of the holy scriptures.
Quote: “God's surprising promise made David very happy. He thanked God, and the promise was written in God's holy book.” (00:55)

4. Solomon Builds God’s House (the Temple)

After David’s death, his son Solomon becomes king and constructs the temple for God, fulfilling one part of God’s plan.
Description of the temple as beautiful and made of gold and wood, serving as a place for blood sacrifices to forgive sin.
Quote: “With gold and wood, he built God a great house. It was a beautiful place called a temple.” (01:05)

5. God’s Presence and the People’s Joy

God’s presence visibly fills the temple in a cloud after it is completed.
The people praise God together:
- Quote: “The people were happy and gave thanks to the Lord, saying he is good for his steadfast love endures forever.” (01:22)

6. God’s Blessing Spreads to the Nations

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon, is amazed by his wisdom, and experiences God’s blessing.
- Quote: “The queen was amazed and greatly helped by all he said and was blessed by God for having come.” (01:35)
This event connects Abraham’s promise — that all peoples on earth will be blessed — to Solomon’s reign.

7. The Big Question: Is Solomon the Promised Forever King?

The narrative pauses with a critical question: Is Solomon the Promised One who will ultimately bless everyone?
Quote: “Does this make you wonder if Solomon might be God's forever king? Could he be the promised One to bring God's blessings to everyone?” (01:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On God’s surprising plans:
- “God promised to build David a house. Not a real house made of bricks or wood, but a kingdom.” (00:33)
On the temple and forgiveness:
- “This temple was where the people made blood sacrifices for their sins. When God saw that great sign, he would forgive or pass over the sins of his people.” (01:12)
On God’s enduring love:
- “He is good for his steadfast love endures forever.” (01:22)

Important Timestamps

00:01 – Introduction: David’s gratitude and desire to build for God
00:20 – God’s response: The promise to David
00:47 – The expanded promise: Blessing to all peoples
00:55 – David’s thanksgiving
01:05 – Solomon constructs the temple
01:22 – God fills the temple; national thanksgiving
01:35 – The Queen of Sheba’s visit and international blessing
01:55 – Key question: Is Solomon the forever king?

Episode Takeaways

God’s plans are often far greater and more surprising than what people intend, as seen in the shift from David building a house for God to God promising a lasting dynasty.
The concept of God’s blessing growing is traced through promises to Abraham, David, and now, through Solomon, extended to the nations.
The story sets up a sense of anticipation: even glorious Solomon might not be the ultimate forever king, prompting listeners to look ahead in the biblical story.

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Part 9 God's blessings grow. David was amazed at how good God was. David wanted to do something nice for God. David decided to build God a house. But one night, God sent word to David. He didn't want David to build him a house. God said that David's son would build the house instead. Then God surprised David. God promised to build David a house. Not a real house made of bricks or wood, but a kingdom. God's kingdom. And then God surprised David again. God promised him that someone from David's family would live forever as God's king. If that weren't enough, God surprised David again. This forever ruler would be the Promised One who would bring God's blessing to all the peoples of the earth. God's surprising promise made David very happy. He thanked God and the promise was written in God's holy book. After David died, David's son Solomon became king. With gold and wood, he built God a great house. It was a beautiful place called a temple. This temple was where the people made blood sacrifices for their sins. When God saw that great sign, he would forgive or pass over the sins of his people. After the temple was finished, God came down in a cloud. The people were happy and gave thanks to the Lord, saying he is good for his steadfast love endures forever. A queen came to see Solomon, his palace and the temple he had built. She asked him lots of questions, and God gave Solomon wisdom for them all. The queen was amazed and greatly helped by all he said and was blessed by God for having come. You see, God was keeping all his promises to Abraham. He had already made Abraham into a great nation and he had given Israel the land. And now God's king was bringing God's blessing to other peoples of the earth. Does this make you wonder if Solomon might be God's forever king? Could he be the promised One to bring God's blessings to everyone?