2 Samuel 7

While the Israelites were in exile in Babylon, they began to ask that same question. During that time the hope of a future “Son of David,” a MESSIAH, began to take root and grow stronger and stronger. And, of course, we now know that what God was promising David was not primarily an earthly kingdom but rather an eternal and spiritual kingdom that would only be established by David’s “greater Son,” Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:30–33). This Son would finally usher in the peace and security—the “rest”—for which the Israelites had long been hoping.

Recall that many biblical PROPHECIES and promises concern events both near at hand and also far in the future, and such is the case with God’s promise to David in verses 13–16. Apart from the word “forever,” God’s promise concerning Solomon did come true: Solomon did build the temple, his kingdom was established, and he ruled Israel during the greatest years of its history. But as with God’s previous covenants, this “Davidic covenant” also had conditions: if the covenant blessings were to be enjoyed, the covenant conditions had to be met (see Exodus 19:5–6 and comment)—and the conditions were that the king had to be faithful and obedient to the Lord’s commands. If Solomon and his descendants disobeyed God (which they did), then they would lose the privilege of being God’s representatives on earth, they would lose their kingdom. They would lose the right to call God their father³⁰ (verse 14). And they would forfeit God’s special covenant love (verse 15).

Yes, God’s promises never fail; they are always fulfilled in the lives of those who meet God’s condition (Romans 8:28). And in Christ, God’s eternal Son, God’s promises are fulfilled forever.

Here in this Davidic covenant, we see a fourth stage in the Old Testament prophecies about Christ. The first prophecy about Christ appears in Genesis 3:15, where God says that the offspring of the woman will crush the head of the serpent SATAN. The second prophecy appears in Genesis 22:18, where God tells Abraham that through his offspring all nations on earth will be blessed. The third appears in Genesis 49:10, where JACOB prophesies that the scepter (royal authority) will not depart from Judah. And the fourth prophecy about Christ occurs here in verses 14–16, where God says, “ . . . he will be my son” and His “house . . . kingdom . . . throne will be established forever.”

Notice that in the first prophecy, a promise is made to the human race in general. In the second prophecy, a promise is made to one nation—Abraham’s descendants. In the third prophecy, a promise is made to one tribe of that nation, Judah. In the fourth prophecy, a promise is made to one family of that tribe, the family of David. Finally, all the promises of Scripture find their ultimate fulfillment in one man of David’s family, the man Jesus Christ. Thus, this great promise to David described in these verses is an essential link in the Old Testament witness to the coming of a Messiah and to God’s great redemptive plan for mankind.

David’s Prayer (7:18–29)
(1 Chronicles 17:16–27)

18–21 After Nathan had told David these words of the Lord, David went inside the tent where the ark was kept (2 Samuel 6:17), and sat before the LORD (verse 18); that is, he sat before the ark, which symbolized the Lord’s presence.

David started his prayer by humbly expressing his amazement that God would speak such wonderful things to him, a mere human from an ordinary family. Throughout the prayer, David repeatedly referred to himself as God’s servant—even though he was a king.

David also acknowledged that God had done this for the sake of [His] word (verse 21)—that is, to fulfill His past covenant promises to Israel; He had done it according to [His] will, according to His redemptive plan for Israel and ultimately for the world. David realized that in doing this, God’s name [would] be great forever (verse 26). Behind David’s prayer was his desire that God be glorified.

22–24 Then David praised God because He was great and because He was the only God (verse 22). David praised God for choosing Israel, the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem³¹ (verse 23). And he praised God for the awesome wonders He had performed in order to redeem Israel. “. . . who is like your people Israel?” David asked. Israel was unique not because of any virtue in itself, but solely because God had chosen Israel to be His own special people (Genesis 17:7; Exodus 19:46; Leviticus 26:11–13; Deuteronomy 7:7–9).

25–29 Finally David asked God to keep forever the promise He had made (verse 25). “Do as you promised,” prayed David. Why? “. . . so that your name will be great” (verse 26). We might think it was bold of David to tell God what to do”! But David had courage to do so, because his prayer was based on God’s firm promises. And God will honor our prayers too when we base them on His word and not simply on our wishes.

Indeed, David’s prayer here is a model for our own prayers. First David humbled himself in awe before God (verses 18–21). Then he praised God for His greatness and His loving kindness (verses 22–24). And finally, David boldly laid claim to the promises God had given him (see Hebrews 4:16). God will listen to such prayers.³²

David had asked God if he could build an earthly temple; God answered by promising him an eternal kingdom. God is able to do for us immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). If our requests to God are motivated by a desire for His glory and by a love for our neighbor, then we can be assured that God will accept our prayers and answer them according to His infinite wisdom and mercy.