2 Samuel 7:1-10

1 It happened, when the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies round about,

2 that the king said to Natan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.

3 Natan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.

4 It happened the same night, that the word of the LORD came to Natan, saying,

5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus says the LORD, Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?

6 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Yisra'el out of Mitzrayim, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tent.

7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Yisra'el, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Yisra'el, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Yisra'el, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

8 Now therefore thus shall you tell my servant David, Thus says the LORD of Hosts, I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Yisra'el;

9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the eretz.

10 I will appoint a place for my people Yisra'el, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,

2 Samuel 7:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 7

This chapter expresses David's concern for building an house for the ark of God, which he communicated to Nathan the prophet, and was approved of by him, 2Sa 7:1-3; and who was that night sent by the Lord to David, to acquaint him, that as he had for many years dwelt in a tent, and had never given directions to the tribes of Israel, and the rulers of them, to build him an house, so neither should David build him one; but his son that would succeed him in the throne should; and also observes to him the many great things he had done for him, and promises him more, and particularly the establishment of his throne and kingdom for ever, in which he has respect to the Messiah, that should spring from him, 2Sa 7:4-17. Then follows a prayer of David, in which he expresses the sense he had of the greatness and goodness of God, and of his own unworthiness to receive such favours from him he had, returns him thanks for the promises he had made, and prays for the performance of them, 2Sa 7:18-29.