2 Samuel 7 Study Notes

7:1 David had secured his borders and subdued all his enemies, resulting in the nation’s enjoyment of rest on every side. However, all of this came through God’s blessing.

7:2 David’s words further revealed his heart for the Lord. It made no sense to him that he had so much and the ark of God was housed only by tent curtains.

7:3 Nathan is elsewhere called “the prophet Nathan” (1Kg 1:8,10,22-23). He apparently believed he did not need to consult the Lord about whether David should build God a temple, so he gave the king his blessing.

7:4-6 God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt over four hundred years earlier and had led them to Sinai, where he gave them his statutes. During all that time, he had chosen to make his dwelling place in a tent among his people.

7:7 God’s question have I ever spoken a word implied it was his prerogative to have a temple or not. He determined how his people should worship him.

7:8 The Lord had taken David from the pasture . . . to be ruler—from a very humble profession to the greatest position of leadership in the nation.

7:9 The expression in Hebrew, “make a great name for______” occurs six times in the Old Testament. First Ch 17:8 is parallel to this passage, citizens of Babylon plan to do it for themselves in Gn 11:4, and the Lord has done it for himself in Neh 9:10; Jr 32:20; Dn 9:15. A slightly different Hebrew phrase, “your name will be exalted forever,” used in 2Sm 7:26, is also used of Abraham in Gn 12:2, suggesting the similarities between the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants.

7:10 The Lord’s promises of lasting security meant everything to people whose lives were subject to foreign invasions or raids by local tribes.

7:11 The Lord denied David’s desire to build him a house (temple), but he rewarded David’s heart by building the king a house (dynasty)—composed of David’s descendants.

7:12 God promised David the permanent dynasty Saul could have had (1Sm 13:13-14).

7:13 The phrase I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever did not imply that David’s descendants would live forever but that his dynasty and kingdom would.

7:14 The concept of discipline implies reproof or correction, but generally with good intent (Is 2:4; Hab 2:1).

7:15 God promised David his faithful love (Hb chesed). This is a rich term, encompassing all that would come to David’s line because he belonged to God. On the other hand, the Lord had removed such love from Saul because of his misguided heart.

7:16-17 Ultimately God’s promise to David was fulfilled in the king’s most significant descendant, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose throne would be established forever (Lk 1:32-33).

7:18 David’s questions, Who am I . . . what is my house, reveal his amazement at God’s grace toward him and his family. The king also pondered such issues about humanity in general when he wrote Ps 8.

7:19 David affirmed that what the Lord God had done so far did not begin to challenge his power, and it was only the beginning of what he would do through David’s line. The king’s words this is a revelation for mankind can also be translated “this is instruction for mankind” or “this is the instruction of mankind,” suggesting David thought God’s work with him could be an example for all humanity. The Lord was willing to work through a surrendered heart.

7:20-21 David was aware of God’s grace on his life, and he affirmed all these great things the Lord had promised would happen only in light of God’s word and will (lit “heart”).

7:22 David’s affirmation of the Lord’s uniqueness contrasted sharply with the polytheistic views of the nations around him.

7:23 God established his covenant with Israel not only to redeem a people for himself, but to make a name for himself so other peoples could turn to him (Is 45:22). His great and awesome acts included his miracles performed in Egypt and during the journey to the promised land. God’s intent was to judge nations and their gods who lived in Canaan at the time Israel entered the land.

7:24 Israel’s special covenant relationship with God (You established your people . . . forever) did not preclude God using Israel to bless other nations (Gn 12:3). Nonetheless, Israel’s covenant with God provided them a great blessing (Rm 3:1-2).

7:25 David’s response shows that he believed and was trusting in God to fulfill his promises.

7:26 David wanted most of all that God’s name would be exalted forever through all he did for David’s house. Seeing the Lord of Armies receive his proper glory had long been on David’s heart (1Sm 17:26,36,45-47).

7:27 Like Daniel (Dn 9:2-5), David did not presume on God’s promises but prayed for God to graciously fulfill them despite the unworthiness of humanity.

7:28 David knew God’s words were true (the Hb word rendered “true” is related to the Eng word amen). God’s truth provided David a foundation for his life, just as it does for all believers (Jn 8:31-32).

7:29 Lasting blessing on David’s house would naturally benefit the king and his descendants, but David seemed most concerned with God’s honor. He truly was a man loyal to God (1Sm 13:14).