2 Samuel 7:4-17

4 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,

5 “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in?

6 For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling.

7 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders ^[a] I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

10 And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning

11 and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you.

12 And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

14 I will be his Father, and he will be My son. ^[b] When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.

15 But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

16 Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, ^[c] and your throne will be established forever.”

17 So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire revelation.

2 Samuel 7:4-17 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Or tribes
• [b] Cited in Hebrews 1:5
• [c] Some Hebrew manuscripts and LXX; most Hebrew manuscripts you