Godly Counsel

So Nathan told the king, "Go and do all that is on your heart, for YHWH is with you." - 2 Samuel 7:3

David, as king of Israel, had an idea that he wanted to build a temple for God. Seeking affirmation, he consulted with God's prophet (Nathan). Nathan told David to "go and do all that was on his heart, for God was with him."

There was only one problem. Nathan never consulted God.

The prophet apparently deduced that since the relationship between David and the Lord was a good one, the king should be able to do whatever his heart desired; however, if David had gone forward with his plans, he would have been guilty of disobedience. The Lord intervened before things went too far and David ended up leaving the temple construction to his son (Solomon).

Always be certain that the counsel you receive is from God and, if you are ever in the position of offering counsel to another, be sure that the counsel you give is always from Him, too.

Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it. - Ancient Proverb