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Bible Commentary
2 Samuel

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2 Samuel 7

2Sa 7:1

2Sa 7: "The glorious kingdom of Christ is founded upon the Davidic covenant, for he is the 'seed of David according to the flesh' (Rom 1:3). Since the days of Zedekiah, only one king of the Davidic family has been crowned in Jerusalem, and he was crowned with thorns by a jeering mob. But the covenant is immutable by the oath of Yahweh (Psa 132:11; 89:30-37), and Yahweh will get give to the thorn-crowned One the throne of his father David. This covenant stands together with that in Eden (Gen 3:15), in which was provided the Seed of the Woman who would give life out of death; with that of Abraham (Gen 12; 22), in which was provided the Seed of Faith who would give the inheritance of land. The covenant of David provided for the Seed of the Throne, so completing the three-fold gift of divine glory to Yahweh's people. Notice, further, that 2Sa 7 describes two houses: one composed of living stones, a house of faith that Yahweh would build (v 11), and a house of literal stones, a house of worship that Yahshua would build (v 13). The whole covenant is based upon the divine fatherhood (v 14), though the Son would bear the iniquity of Adamic condemnation (v 14)" (GEM).

ALL HIS ENEMIES AROUND HIM: See Lesson, Nations "round about".

2Sa 7:2

The juxtaposition of two items -- David's bringing of the ark to Jerusalem (2Sa 6), and his desire to build a "house" for Yahweh -- indicates that, wrapped up in kingship, is the idea of the special access to Israel's God enjoyed by the king (cf Psa 2:7-8; 110:1; Jer 30:21). This is brought out in the "sonship" language of the promise.

The position of the promise in the record of 1Sa and 2Sa may remind us that David's darker moments, yet to come (2Sa 11-18), and known to the writer, will not obscure nor cancel the promises made to him and his house.

2Sa 7:3

Clearly Nathan is imposing his own view upon God here: Why wouldn't God want David to build him a glorious house?

2Sa 7:5

"But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!" (1Ki 8:27). "However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?' says the Lord. 'Or where will my resting place be?' " (Act 7:48,49).

So David does not build a "house" for God, but God builds a "house" for David (2Sa 7:11).

2Sa 7:10

Israel favored: Deu 7:6; 14:2; 26:7,18; 32:9; Psa 105:6; 135:4; Isa 41:8. Because of God: His love, His name, His promises: Deu 7:7,8; 10:15; 26:9; Psa 23:3.

2Sa 7:13

WHO WILL BUILD A HOUSE FOR MY NAME: 7 1/2 years in building house of Israel (2Sa 5:5); cp 7 1/2 years to build temple (1Ki 7:37,38).

2Sa 7:14

I WILL BE HIS FATHER, AND HE WILL BE MY SON: The Virgin Birth in the OT: Psa 71:6; 89:26,27; 110:3, LXX; Gen 3:15; 49:1,25; Isa 7:14; 49:1; Jer 31:22; Mic 5:1,2; 2Sa 7:14.

WHEN HE DOES WRONG: "A son who, in his subverting, I will chasten with the rod of men...". Heb "awoth" = to be distorted (passive), in sense of subverting the course of justice for a man.

JT: "His being caused to bow down" (Log 50:179-182). "JT translates this verse: 'Whom in his being caused to bow down, I will chasten with a sceptre of men and with stripes from the sons of Adam.' Bearing sin's flesh, the Christ would be redeemed therefrom by his sacrifice (the sceptre and stripes), and thus lead his people to eternal glory (v 16)" (GEM).

Plural application: to those in Christ: Gal 3:29; 2Co 6:18; Psa 89:30,32; 132:12. Also poss ref to Solomon: 1Ki 2:4,24.

2Sa 7:16

This will happen after David dies, but in his presence: v 16 (AV).

The royal house of David: In this covenant is revealed the selection of David's house as the family through whom the Messiah was to come: Note the development of the covenant:

YOUR KINGDOM: = David's kingdom, of Israel, called also the Kingdom of God, and the kingdom of the Lord: 2Ch 13:8; 1Ch 28:5.

The key points are: (1) David's throne will be eternal (Psa 89:34-36; Isa 9:6,7; 55:1-3). (2) It will be established through a natural descendant of David (v 12; Ps 132:11; Jer 33:17-21; Isa 11:1-5; Acts 2:30,31; 13:22,23; Luk 1:30-34). (3) Who would also be the Son of God (v 14; Psa 89:26,27; Heb 1:5; Luke 1:32). (4) After David had died (vv 12,19; Act 2:29). (5) But in his presence (AV has "before you", instead of "before me"): Isa 24:23; Act 15:16; Jer 30:9-11; 2Sa 23:5; Isa 9:6,7; Luk 1:32,33.

2Sa 7:18

David sat as a worshiper (2Sa 7:18), lay as a penitent (2Sa 12:16), and, stood as a servant (1Ch 28:2).

Sitting: for rest (Luk 8:35); for communion (Song 2:3), as disciples (Deu 33:3), in worship (2Sa 7:18-27), in resurrection (Eph 2:6), in glory (Rev 3:21).

"WHO AM I, O SOVEREIGN LORD, AND WHAT IS MY FAMILY...?": "When we take the lowest place and 'seek not high things' we need have no fear of falling. Pride is the destroyer of men's souls. We rise in the balloon of our own self-esteem, only to fall to earth when our vanity is punctured. Most of our 'taking offence' and our super-sensitivity at criticism are but flowers which thrive in the garden of pride. The Man who became the world's outcast and bore the scorn of a people who should have reverenced him, had no pride to lose. He took no offense. Having become the servant of all, he had taken the lowest place. From the height of heaven the Spirit of God came to his lifeless body in the tomb of Gethsemane and called him to come forth. 'Friend, come up higher,' the words of the Lord's own parable, were exquisitely fulfilled in the Master himself. Exalted and given a name which is above every name, he received the blessing of immortality and was caught up to heaven to the presence of God the Father" (TMD 35).

2Sa 7:19

IS THIS YOUR USUAL WAY OF DEALING WITH MAN, O SOVEREIGN LORD?: Or, "Will the ultimate fulfillment of these promises be by that man, O Lord?" -- the Messiah, the seed of Gen 3:15.

2Sa 7:27

The promise that Yahweh would build a sure house for His priests is taken up and used to speak of David also: 1Sa 2:35; 2Sa 7:27; 1Ch 17:10.

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