2 Samuel 7:12-16

12 1When your days are fulfilled and 2you lie down with your fathers, 3I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 4He shall build a house for my name, and 5I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 6I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, 7I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,
15 8but my steadfast love will not depart from him, 9as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.
16 10And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.[a]11 Your throne shall be established forever.'"

2 Samuel 7:12-16 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 11

  • 1. [1 Kings 2:1]
  • 2. 1 Kings 1:21; 1 Kings 2:10; Acts 13:36; [Deuteronomy 31:16]
  • 3. 1 Kings 8:20; Psalms 132:11
  • 4. 1 Kings 5:5; 1 Kings 6:12; 1 Kings 8:19; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6
  • 5. ver. 16; Ps. 89:4, 29, 36, 37
  • 6. Psalms 89:26, 27; Cited Hebrews 1:5
  • 7. Psalms 89:32, 33
  • 8. [See ver. 14 above]
  • 9. 1 Samuel 15:23, 28; [1 Kings 11:13, 34]
  • 10. ver. 13; Psalms 89:36, 37; [Luke 1:33]
  • 11. ver. 13; Psalms 89:36, 37; [Luke 1:33]

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.