2 Samuel 7:1-17

God Makes a Promise to David

1 The king settled down in his palace. The LORD had given him peace and rest from all of his enemies who were around him.

2 Then the king spoke to the prophet Nathan. He said, "Here I am, living in a palace that has beautiful cedar walls. But the ark of God remains in a tent."

3 Nathan replied to the king, "Go ahead and do what you want to. The LORD is with you."

4 That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan. The LORD said,

5 "Go and speak to my servant David. Tell him, 'The LORD says, "Are you the one to build me a house to live in?

6 I have not lived in a house from the day I brought the people of Israel up out of Egypt until now. I have been moving from place to place. I have been living in a tent.

7 I have moved from place to place with all of the people of Israel. I commanded their rulers to be shepherds over them. I never asked any of those rulers, 'Why haven't you built me a house that has beautiful cedar walls?' " '

8 "So tell my servant David, 'The LORD who rules over all says, "I took you away from the grasslands. That's where you were taking care of your father's sheep and goats. I made you ruler over my people Israel.

9 I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I cut off all of your enemies when you were attacking them. " ' "Now I will make you famous. Your name will be just as respected as the names of the most important people on earth.

10 I will provide a place where my people Israel can live. I will plant them in the land. Then they will have a home of their own. They will not be bothered anymore. Evil people will no longer crush them, as they did at first.

11 That is what your enemies have done ever since I appointed leaders over my people Israel. But I will give you peace and rest from all of them. " ' "I tell you that I myself will set up a royal house for you.

12 Some day your life will come to an end. You will join the members of your family who have already died. Then I will make one of your own sons the next king after you. And I will make his kingdom secure.

13 He is the one who will build a house where I will put my Name. " ' "I will set up the throne of his kingdom. It will last forever.

14 I will be his father. And he will be my son. When he does what is wrong, I will use other men to beat him with rods and whips.

15 I took my love away from Saul. I removed him from being king. You were there when I did it. But I will never take my love away from your son.

16 " ' "Your royal house and your kingdom will last forever in my sight. Your throne will last forever." ' "

17 Nathan reported to David all of the words that the LORD had spoken to him.

2 Samuel 7:1-17 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.