2 Samuel 7:12-22

12 And when the time comes for you to go to rest with your fathers, I will put in your place your seed after you, the offspring of your body, and I will make his kingdom strong.

13 He will be the builder of a house for my name, and I will make the seat of his authority certain for ever.

14 I will be to him a father and he will be to me a son: if he does wrong, I will give him punishment with the rod of men and with the blows of the children of men;

15 But my mercy will not be taken away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.

16 And your family and your kingdom will keep their place before me for ever: the seat of your authority will never be overturned.

17 So Nathan gave David an account of all these words and this vision.

18 Then David the king went in and took his seat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have been my guide till now?

19 And this was only a small thing to you, O Lord God; but your words have even been about the far-off future of your servant's family, O Lord God!

20 What more may David say to you? for you have knowledge of your servant, O Lord God.

21 Because of your word and from your heart, you have done all this great work, and let your servant see it.

22 Truly you are great, O Lord God: there is no one like you and no other God but you, as is clear from everything which has come to our ears.

2 Samuel 7:12-22 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.