p² Q 1,2. David before himself. ("Who I am").
R 3. Reply of Nathan.
R 4-17. Reply of Yahaveh.
Q 18-29. David before Yahaveh. ("Who am I").
950 to 948 B.C.
2 Samuel 7)
1: And it came to pass (this chapter takes its place with Gen. 15. It is the unconditional Covenant with David, to give him the Throne; as that was with Abraham, to give him the Land), when the king sat in his house (thus now dignified), and the Lord (Yahaveh) had given him rest round about from all his enemies; (David is on easy street)
2: That the king said to Nathan the prophet (= given. The first occ. of His name. Cp. 1 Chron. 29:29. An important figure in David's reign, and associated with his son Solomon [vv.12,13; 12:25. 1 Kings 1:10-45]), “See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.” (Fig., put for the tent formed by them)
3: And Nathan said to the king (not from Yahaveh, as in v.5, but for himself: and said what was wrong. David is about to make another mistake), “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you.” (This is seldom safe advise. Don't mess with God. There is a reason and purpose for everything. It teaches a lesson. Do it God's way. Man changes. God will never change)
R q 4. Word of Yahaveh to Nathan for David.
r 5. "Shall you build" (Negative). David.
s 6,7. Yahaveh's condescension.
s 8-12. Yahaveh's grace.
r 13-16. "He shall build" (Positive). Solomon.
q 17. Word of Yahaveh for Nathan to David.
4: And it came to pass that night (after these words all the MSS. have a hiatus, marking a solemn pause, and pointing back to the corresponding night of Gen.15:12-17, thus connecting the two great unconditional Covenants. See v.1), that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
5: “Go and tell My servant David (note the use of this word through the chapter. See v.18), ‘Thus says the Lord, ‘Shall you build Me a house for Me to dwell in? (David was being a little presumptuous. This could be quite a project. See 1 Chron. 17:4)
6: Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the sons of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have been walking habitually in a tent as My habitation.
7: In all the places wherein I have walked with all the sons of Israel spoke I a word with any of the tribes (or "rulers", as in 1 Chron. 17:6) of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My People Israel, saying, ‘Why build you all not Me a house of cedar?’ ’ ’ (In effect He's saying to David, "Have you ever heard Me ask that David?")
8: Now therefore so shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts (Yahaveh Sabaoth), ‘I took you from the sheep-cote (cp. 1 Sam. 16:11,12. Ps. 78:71), from following the sheep, to be ruler over My People, over Israel:
9: And I was with you to whichever place you went, and have cut off all your enemies out of your sight, and have made you a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10: Moreover I will appoint a place for My People Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more (2nd Advent. Future prophecy even from this day we live in. This hasn't happened yet); neither shall the sons of wickedness afflict them any more, as before-time,
11: And as since the time that I commanded rulers to be over My People Israel, and have caused you to rest from all you enemies. Also the Lord tells you that the Lord will make you a house (Fig., put for household or family: i.e line of succession, also the Body of Christ).
12: And when your days be fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers (Euphemism for "die"), I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. (A Kingdom for ever, both spiritually and natural)
13: He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14: I will be to him for a Father, and he shall be to Me for a son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the sons of mankind: (He's talking about Solomon first, then the Church)
15: But My loving-kindness shall not depart away from him, according as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
16: And your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before you (some codices read "Me"): your throne shall be established for ever.’ ’ ”
17: According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David. (David won't need much prompting)
Q S 18-22. David. Thanksgiving for himself.
T 23,24. For Israel.
S 25-29. David. Prayer for his house.
S t 18. Self-abasement. "Who am I?"
u 19. Acknowledgment of benefits.
v 20. Inability to praise aright.
u 21. Acknowledgment of benefits.
t 22. Divine exhalation. "You are great".
18: Then went king David in (it is grace that really humbles), and sat before the Lord (very different from sitting before one's self, as in v.1. See Structure "Q" right before 7:1), and he said, “Who am I, O the Lord GOD (Yahaveh Adonai)? ((1) Adonai because David is the servant and He the master; (2) because this title has to do with lordship in the earth; Cp. vv.19 [twice], 20,28,29, six times in this chapter) and what is my house, that You have brought me hitherto?
19: And this was yet a small thing in your sight, O Lord GOD; but You have spoken also of Your servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner (= Torah or Law) of man (Heb. ha-adam = the man. "And is the law of man? i.e. the Man of Ps.8:5,6.Who is to have dominion over all the earth, embracing all the world in the scope of this blessing in connection with the Messiah. This is an exclamation of greatest surprise and wonder of this revelation concerning David's son and David's Lord. This is the base-root of the key of David), O the LORD GOD?
20: And what can David say more to You? for You, the Lord GOD, know Your servant.
21: For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, have You done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. (Humbling statement. It is You that made your Word God and thank You for it!)
22: Wherefore I will declare and praise You as great, O the Lord GOD (note the change, because it is not now in connection with the earth, but what He is in Himself): for there is none like You, neither is there any God beside You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23: And what one nation in the earth is like Your People, even like Your People Israel, whom God went to redeem for a People to Himself (See Ex.13:13 and 6:6), and to make Him a name, and to do for you great things and awesome, for Your Land, before Your people, which You redeemed to You from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24: For You have confirmed to Yourself Your People Israel to be a People to You for ever: and You, the Lord, have become their God. (Through this all the blessings to all the people in the world)
S w 25,26. Prayer. Establishment.
x 27. Divine revelation. Praise.
x 28. Divine promise. Praise.
w 29. Prayer. Continuance.
25: And now, O the Lord God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do according as You have said.
26: And let Your name be magnified for ever, saying, the Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of Your servant David be established before You. (They key of David)
27: For You, O the Lord of hosts , God of Israel, have revealed to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house: therefore has Your servant has become embolden in his heart (= mind) to pray this prayer to You.
28: And now, O the Lord God , You are that God, and Your words be truth, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant:
29: Therefore now let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue for ever before You: for You, O Lord God, have spoken it: and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed for ever.” (And it has been and will be)