Above is an AI rendition of King David Studying a Diagram of the Temple
Translation of a Hebrew article at: https://60ribo.org.il/aram/
In the article discussing the COVID-19 pandemic, we noted that Ramban and Radak said: All the thousands who perished during the days of David in the plague did so only because the people had not demanded the building of the Temple. While discussing the plague during David’s time, we brought Ramban’s explanation of why David did not build the Temple.
Here are Ramban’s words:
Ramban on Numbers 16:
“Moreover, beyond the census itself being a cause of punishment (as it says in II Shmuel 24:1, ‘And again the anger of Hashem was kindled against Israel, and He incited David against them’), Rashi writes, ‘I do not know for what reason.’ But I say logically: It was a punishment upon Israel for their delay in building the chosen house (i.e., the Temple). The Ark was moving from tent to tent like a stranger in the land, and the tribes were not stirred to say, ‘Let us seek Hashem and build a house for His name,’ as it is said (Dvarim / Deut. 12:5), ‘Seek His dwelling and go there.’ Only after many years did David awaken and speak of it, as it is written (II Shmuel 7:1–2), ‘When the king dwelled in his house and Hashem had given him rest from all his enemies… the king said to Natan the prophet: See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the Ark of the L-rd dwells within curtains.’
But Hashem prevented David from building it, as it says (I Chronicles 22:8), ‘You have shed much blood and fought great wars; you shall not build a house for My name.’ So the construction was delayed until Shlomo’s reign. Had the people of Israel been enthusiastic and initiated the building, it might have been done in the days of the Judges, Shaul, or even David – but not with him as the builder. The nation would have been the builders. But because the people were indifferent and David was the only one to care and prepare everything – he became the potential builder. Yet since he was a man of justice and judgment, not of mercy, he was deemed unfit for the House of Mercy. Therefore, the building was delayed throughout David’s life due to the people’s negligence – and the wrath came upon them.
Therefore, the place Hashem chose to establish His name became known through their punishment and plague. The text hints at all this, as it says (II Shmuel 7:6–7): ‘I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day… Did I speak a word with any of the tribes of Israel… saying, Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ The verse blames them, for the Shekhinah (Divine Presence) was traveling among the tribes from tent to tent and no one arose among the Judges to build. Moreover, the verse adds that Hashem also did not command any of them to build, until now – when David initiated it and was praised for it. Yet it would be Shlomo who builds, as a man of peace.”
Wars Before the Tabernacle Was Built
From Ramban’s words, one might conclude that engaging in war disqualifies someone from building the Temple. But that cannot be the full explanation. After all, during the days of Moshe and Yehoshua there were many wars – against Amalek, Midian, Sihon and Og, and later, the conquest of the 31 kings of the Canaanite nations. Nevertheless, Moshe built the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and Yehoshua established the sanctuary in Shiloh.
Wars Before the Temple Was Built
According to the Sages, the Jews who killed 75,000 of their enemies during the time of Achashverosh (Esther 9:16) were the ones who merited the rebuilding of the Temple under King Daryavesh (Darius), who ruled after Achashverosh.
It is agreed by all that the Hasmoneans, who fought both foreign enemies and Hellenized Jews, merited the rebuilding of the altar and parts of other elements of the Temple. According to Maimonides (Rambam), the Messiah himself will wage wars (Laws of Kings 11:4) while also rebuilding the Temple. However, it is unclear from Rambam whether the Messiah will build the Temple according to the visionary plan in Ezekiel (starting from chapter 40) or whether he will first rebuild it in the Second Temple form.
Therefore, I interpret Ramban’s statement – “he was a man of justice and upheld the attribute of judgment and was unfit for the House of Mercy” – to mean that David engaged in wars that he was not halachicly required to fight.
As It Says in Sifrei on Dvarim / Deut., Parashat Eikev, Section 51:
Why did David conquer Aram Naharaim and Aram Tzovah, places where commandments do not apply? The answer is: David acted not according to the Torah. The Torah said that only after conquering the Land of Israel are you permitted to conquer lands outside it. But David went back and conquered Aram Naharaim and Aram Tzovah, while failing to expel the Jebusites near Jerusalem. Hashem said to him: The Jebusites next to your palace you didn’t drive out – and you go to conquer Aram Naharaim and Aram Tzovah?
Similar Language Appears in Tosafot HaRosh (Gittin 8b):
Again, David is criticized for conquering Aram Naharaim and Aram Tzovah before completing the conquest of the land of Israel proper.
Ramban Also Writes in His Critique of Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot (Forgotten Positive Commandments #4):
They asked: Why did David conquer Aram Naharaim and Aram Tzovah, where the commandments do not apply? The answer: He did not act in accordance with the Torah. The Torah said: After conquering the Land of Israel, then you are permitted to conquer outside the land. But he did not do so. Behold we are commanded to conquer for all generations.
Another Source That David Was Involved in Wars that He Was Not Obligated to Fight– Talmud Berakhot 3b–4a:
Rabbi Acha bar Bizna said in the name of Rabbi Shimon the Pious: A Kinor hung above David’s bed, and at midnight a northern wind would blow through it and it would play itself. David would rise and study Torah until dawn. When dawn came, the sages of Israel would come and say: Our master the king, your people need livelihood. He said: Go and support one another. They replied: A small handful cannot satisfy a lion, and a pit cannot fill itself. He said: Go and raid enemy troops. They would then consult with Achitophel, seek confirmation from the Sanhedrin, and inquire through the Urim VeTummim.
Talmud Sotah 44b Also States:
Rava said: The wars of Yehoshua were obligatory (a mitzvah). The wars of the House of David were discretionary.
All the above supports Ramban’s interpretation. However, another opinion exists:
There is an alternate view that David was praised for the blood he spilled and there was a different reason that the Temple was built in Shlomo’s time!
See Yalkut Shimoni on II Shmuel, Remez 145 for details:
It should also be stressed that when David fought his optional wars, he had the backing of both the Sanhedrin and the Urim VeTumim. This is grounds to judge David favorably.