2 Samuel 7:12-21

12 When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. ¹

13 He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever.

14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son. ²

15 But I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king.

16 You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.' " ³

17 Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.

18 Then King David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down and prayed, "Sovereign Lord, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, nor is my family.

19 Yet now you are doing even more, Sovereign Lord; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come. And you let a man see this, Sovereign Lord!

20 What more can I say to you! You know me, your servant.

21 It was your will and purpose to do this; you have done all these great things in order to instruct me.

2 Samuel 7:12-21 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.

Cross References

• 1. 7.12Psalms 89.3, 4; 132.11;John 7.42;Acts 2.30.
• 2. 7.14Psalms 89.26, 27;2 Corinthians 6.18;Hebrews 1.5.
• 3. 7.16Psalms 89.36, 37.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Probable text] you let a man see this; [Hebrew] this is a law for human beings.