2 Samuel 7:13-23

13 He will build a house for me, and I will let his kingdom rule always.

14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he sins, I will use other people to punish him. They will be my whips.

15 I took away my love from Saul, whom I removed before you, but I will never stop loving your son.

16 But your family and your kingdom will continue always before me. Your throne will last forever.'"

17 Nathan told David everything God had said in this vision.

18 Then King David went in and sat in front of the Lord. David said, "Lord God, who am I? What is my family? Why did you bring me to this point?

19 But even this is not enough for you, Lord God. You have also made promises about my future family. This is not normal, Lord God.

20 "What more can I say to you, Lord God, since you know me, your servant, so well!

21 You have done this great thing because you said you would and because you wanted to, and you have let me know about it.

22 This is why you are great, Lord God! There is no one like you. There is no God except you. We have heard all this ourselves!

23 There is no nation like your people Israel. They are the only people on earth that God chose to be his own. You made your name well known. You did great and wonderful miracles for them. You went ahead of them and forced other nations and their gods out of the land. You freed your people from slavery in Egypt.

2 Samuel 7:13-23 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.