god’s promise to david david’s prayer 2 samuel...

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GOD’S PROMISE TO DAVID

DAVID’S PRAYER

2 SAMUEL 7:1-29

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor


God’s Promise to David

David’s Prayer

Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-29, 1. After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2. he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." 3. Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 4. That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: 5. "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' 8. "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. 9. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. 10. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning



11. and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. " 'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12. When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever.' " 17. Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. 18. Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19. And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ? 20. "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. 21. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. 22. "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?



24. You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. 25. "And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26. so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27. "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. 28. O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." (NIV) Introduction: I. Coffman emphasized that this chapter is strongly Messianic as is shown by certain New Testament references which are correlatives of certain statements found in 2 Samuel 7. II. Smith concluded that the events of 2 Samuel 7 actually took place fairly late in David’s reign, that the events of 2 Samuel are not necessarily arranged in chronological order.

A. These events are topically placed here because they naturally follow the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem as stated in chapter 6. (Smith) B. The Pulpit Commentary concurred with the fact that “the order is not chronological.”

III. Parallel passages:



A. 2 Samuel 7:5-17, "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. " 'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever.' " Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. (NIV)



B. 1 Chronicles 17:1-15, After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent." Nathan replied to David, "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you." That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. " 'I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you: When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.' " Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. (NIV)



C. 2 Samuel 7:18-29, Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ? "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. "And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." (NIV)



D. 1 Chronicles 17:16-27, Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God. "What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, O LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises. "There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. "And now, LORD, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The LORD Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel's God!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. "You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. O LORD, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever." (NIV)

IV. “2 Samuel 7 is, without doubt, the theological highlight of the books of Samuel if not of the Deuteronomistic history as a whole,” Anderson wrote.



Commentary:

God’s Promise to David

2 Samuel 7:1, After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, (NIV) I. After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, …

A. 2 Samuel 5:9, 11, David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. (NIV) B. 1 Chronicles 14:1, Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. (NIV) C. Deuteronomy 12:10, But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. (NIV) D. Deuteronomy 25:19, When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! (NIV)



E. Joshua 22:4, Now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. (NIV) F. Joshua 23:1, After a long time had passed and the LORD had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then old and well advanced in years, (NIV) G. 1 Kings 5:18, The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple. (NIV) H. The Lord had given David victory over his enemies, both foreign and domestic. I. The palace had been constructed with the assistance of materials and craftsmen supplied by Hiram, king of Tyre.

2 Samuel 7:2, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." (NIV) I. he said to Nathan the prophet, …

A. Nathan the prophet was perhaps the most influential religious figure to arise in Israel since Samuel, Smith wrote. B. Nathan was the courageous prophet who, following David’s sin regarding Uriah and Bathsheba, confronted David and told him, “You are the man!”

II. “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”



A. Coffman and Smith stated David’s conscience began to hurt him due to the contrast between his own palatial residence and the humble quarters where the ark of God was kept. B. Psalm 132:1-5, O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured. He swore an oath to the LORD and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: "I will not enter my house or go to my bed- I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob." (NIV) C. Haggai 1:4, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (NIV) D. This tent had been prepared by David, not the tabernacle constructed at Mount Sinai.

2 Samuel 7:3, Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." (NIV) I. Nathan replied to the king, …

A. Nathan evidently understood that David had in mind to build a house for God.

1. He responded “as a pious and prudent man, not as a prophet.” (Clarke)

II. “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

A. Nathan’s initial response was an expression of his personal opinion which was given without prior consultation with the Lord.



1. He should have gotten a “thus saith the Lord” before speaking. 2. We must be slow to speak and, before telling a person, ”the Lord is with you,” be sure we are certain we know what the Lord’s will really is from a study of his Word.

B. David had enjoyed success because the Lord was with him.

1. 1 Samuel 18:12, 14, 28, Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul. In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, (NIV) 2. 2 Samuel 5:10, And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:4, That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: (NIV) I. That very night the word of the Lord came to Nathan in a vision, saying:

A. God immediately revealed his will to Nathan modifying Nathan’s earlier advice to David.

1. David would not be the person to build God a house. 2. The idea of building the temple was David’s, not God’s.

a. Acts 7:47, But Solomon built him an house. (KJV)



b. Ezekiel 11:22-23, Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. The glory of the LORD went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain east of it. (NIV)

B. The expression, “the word of the Lord came,” occurs some two hundred (200) times in the Old Testament, Smith noted.

2 Samuel 7:5, "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? (NIV) I. “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says:…

A. 1 Kings 8:18, But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. (NIV) B. The building of the temple is not forbidden, but delayed and assigned to Solomon.

II. Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?

A. Clearly God was not enthused with David’s idea to build him a house.

1. God’s presence cannot be limited to one location. 2. David was a man of war guilty of much bloodshed, and, therefore, not the one to build God’s house.



a. 1 Chronicles 22:8, But this word of the LORD came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. (NIV) b. 1 Chronicles 28:3, But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.' (NIV)

3. David was otherwise too busy to build the temple. (Willis via Coffman)

a. 1 Kings 5:3-4, "You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. (NIV)

B. God was telling David that he was not the one to build a house for God.

2 Samuel 7:6, I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. (NIV) I. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.

A. God had never requested a house and God had given David victory over all his enemies, Smith observed. B. Smith further observed that:



1. God would make David’s name great. 2. David and God’s people would enjoy rest from their enemies. 3. God would build a house, dynasty for David.

II. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.

A. “I have walked continually: that is, I have ever been a wanderer.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

2 Samuel 7:7, Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' (NIV) I. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers (judges) whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, …

A. 1 Chronicles 17:6, Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' (NIV) B. 1 Kings 8:16, 18, 25, 'Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for my Name to be there, but I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.' But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. "Now LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, 'You shall



never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons are careful in all they do to walk before me as you have done.' (NIV) C. 1 Chronicles 22:8-9, But this word of the LORD came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. (NIV)

II. “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”

A. A “house of cedar” for God was important for David, but not for the Lord. B. Let us be sure that what is important to God and what is important to us are the same.

2 Samuel 7:8, "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. (NIV) I. “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lrod Almighty says:…

A. The Lord Almighty is king of hosts; David is simply his servant. (Smith)

II. I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler (shepherd) over my people Israel.



A. The true greatness of David accrued from his character, his integrity, his humility and his unwavering faith in God, Coffman wrote, not from the palatial mansion in which he lived nor the office of king he occupied. B. 1 Samuel 9:16, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me." (NIV) C. Psalm 78:70, He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; (NIV) D. “Shepherd of God’s people” is a special designation applied to very few people in the Bible, one of whom is Jesus who is “the good shepherd.”

2 Samuel 7:9, I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. (NIV) I. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.

A. God had given David victory over all his enemies up to this time. (Coffman)

II. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

A. 2 Samuel 8:13, And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. (NIV)



B. David would be blessed by a good reputation, a status highly prized by the Hebrews.

2 Samuel 7:10, And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning. (NIV) I. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.

A. Smith noted that God’s promises included:

1. establishment of the kingdom for one (1) of David’s descendants. 2. This future ruler would build a house for God’s name. 3. The throne of the kingdom would endure forever. 4. This ruler would have a son’s relationship to God. 5. God would discipline this son as a loving father disciplines a child. 6. God’s faithfulness would not depart from this son. 7. The house, kingdom and throne of David would endure forever.

B. These promises point far beyond Solomon to Jesus the Messiah. (Smith) C. David and his people were promised a permanent place of their own where they would live in peace.



1. Deuteronomy 11:24, Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the western sea. (NIV)

II. Wicked people (sons of iniquity) will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning…

A. 2 Samuel 3:34, Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men." And all the people wept over him again. (NIV) B. …provided they remained faithful to God.

2 Samuel 7:11, and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. " 'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: (NIV) I. and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel.

A. God’s providential care of Israel was a continuing thing.

II. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

A. God will give David victory over enemies that will arise against him in the future. (Coffman)

III. “ ‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you:…

A. The house here refers to the fact that God would establish David’s dynasty as the ruling family in Israel. (Coffman)



B. House is used in these verses fifteen (15) times and forever eight (8) times referring to the perpetuity of the Davidic dynasty. (See Smith) C. “In its full significance this means that the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David were now chosen by God as the ancestors of the Messiah.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

2 Samuel 7:12, When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. (NIV) I. When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you….

A. These promises generally refer to David’s physical descendants, but more particularly to Christ Jesus.

1. The primary application of this verse, according to The Pulpit Commentary, was Solomon.

B. Coffman took the position that these promises refer to Christ, not Solomon and other earthly rulers descended from David. C. “Rest with your fathers” refers to death.

1. Deuteronomy 31:16, And the LORD said to Moses: "You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. (NIV) 2. Genesis 47:30, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." "I will do as you say," he said. (NIV)



II. who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

A. The eternal kingdom is Christ’s church, not the Jewish king-dom. B. Christ would come from among David’s physical descendants.

2 Samuel 7:13, He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (NIV) I. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

A. Deuteronomy 16:2, Sacrifice as the Passover to the LORD your God an animal from your flock or herd at the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for his Name. (NIV) B. Clarke wrote, “Solomon shall build my temple, not thou, because thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars.”

1. 1 Chronicles 22:8, But this word of the LORD came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. (NIV)

C. The throne of his eternal kingdom is a reference to the government of the spiritual kingdom, the kingdom of the Messiah. (Clarke)



1. Isaiah 9:7, Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV) 2. Psalm 89:29, 35-37, I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—and I will not lie to David- that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:14, I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. (NIV) I. I will be his father, and he will be my son.

A. Hebrews 1:5-7, For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (KJV) B. Psalm 2:7-8, I will proclaim the decree of the LORD : He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. (NIV)



C. Psalm 89:26-27, He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.' I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. (NIV) D. Acts 13:33, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. (KJV) E. Exodus 4:22, Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son. (NIV) F. Deuteronomy 14:1, You are the children of the LORD your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead, (NIV) G. 1 Chronicles 28:6, He said to me: 'Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. (NIV) H. Much of what is said applies to Solomon only as a type of the Prince of Peace.

II. When he does wrong, commits iniquity, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.

A. Clarke translates this verse as follows: “Even in his suffering for iniquity, I shall chasten him with the rod of men (with the rod due to men) and with the stripes (due to) the children of men.”

1. The prime application of this verse clearly refers to Christ on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world.



a. Isaiah 53:4-6, Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (NIV)

b. Amos 9:10-11, All the sinners among my people will die by the sword, all those who say, 'Disaster will not overtake or meet us.' "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, (NIV) c. Isaiah 9:1-2, Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:15, But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (NIV) I. But my love (mercy) will never be taken away from him, …

A. Psalm 16:10, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (NIV)



B. Acts 2:25-31, For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. (KJV)

II. as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

A. Saul’s reign was short lived because of his wickedness.

2 Samuel 7:16, Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever.' " (NIV) I. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; …

A. Psalm 89:29-37, I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure. "If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—and I will not lie to David-that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like



the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." (NIV) B. Peter 1:10-12, Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (KJV) C. Matthew 1:1, The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (NIV) D. This can only be fulfilled in the eternal reign of the Messiah!

II. your throne will be established forever.’ ”

A. 1 Kings 11:12, Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. (NIV) B. 2 Kings 8:19, Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever. (NIV) C. Jesus the Messiah is a son of David, the ultimate son of God… whose throne is eternal.



2 Samuel 7:17, Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. (NIV) I. Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

A. Nathan, God’s faithful prophet, reported accurately and fully exactly what God had said! B. Isaiah, Nahum, Obadiah, Nathan, et. al,, all received visions from the Lord.

David’s Prayer

2 Samuel 7:18, Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? (NIV) I. Then king David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

A. Coffman observed this was an unusual posture for prayer and may mean that he knelt down, leaned back on his heels and looked up to heaven, or, as The Pulpit Commentary reads, with “his head bent forward.” B. Smith wrote, “David went into the tent where the ark of God was located in Jerusalem and sat before the Lord, i.e., before the ark.” C. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown stated, “Sitting was anciently an attitude for worship.”

1. Exodus 17:12, When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the



other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. (NIV) 2. 1 Samuel 4:13, When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry. (NIV) 3. 1 Kings 19:4, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." (NIV)

II. “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

A. David humbled himself before the Lord, “full of thanksgiving, and even of wonder at the greatness of God’s mercies to him.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

2 Samuel 7:19, And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ? (NIV) I. And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant.

A. David may not have understood all the ramifications of these wondrous promises, but he knew that, like Abraham, all the people of the earth would be blessed through him. (The Pulpit Commentary)



1. 1 Chronicles 17:17, And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God. (NIV)

II. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?

A. Smith wrote, “These words indicate David’s amazement over what God had promised him.”

2 Samuel 7:20, "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. (NIV) I. What more can David say to you?

A. David was astounded at God’s goodness, left speechless as it were. “Words failed him.” (Smith) B. “My obligations are greater than I can express.” (Jamison, Fausett and Brown)

II. For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord.

A. David repeatedly expressed his sincere devotion to the Sovereign Lord.

1. Psalm 17:3, Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:21, For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. (NIV)



I. For the sake of your word and according to your will, …

A. These promises were based on God’s word and will, not on David’s innate goodness. (See Smith)

II. you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

A. 1 Chronicles 17:19, O LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises. (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:22, "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. (NIV) I. How great you are, O Sovereign Lord!

A. God’s goodness was proof of God’s greatness. (See Smith)

1. God’s goodness was seen not only in blessings bestowed upon David but in his blessings upon all Israel from the beginning of the nation. (See The Pulpit Commentary)

II. There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

A. God was (and is) unique, the only true God, and this David and the faithful of Israel knew very well.

2 Samuel 7:23, And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? (NIV)



I. And who is like your people Israel…

A. In regard to God’s blessings upon Israel, there was no other like them.

II. the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and…

A. In regard to God’s selecting Israel for his redeemed people through whom the Messiah would come, Israel was unique, in a class by itself, like no other.

III. to make a name for himself, and…

A. God’s selecting Israel was to glorify the Lord and accomplish his purposes. B. Israel often failed to measure up to God’s standards.

IV. to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?

A. Israel often failed God, but God never once failed Israel.

2 Samuel 7:24, You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. (NIV) I. You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and…

A. Physical Israel was chosen to bring Christ into the world. B. Followers of Christ, spiritual Israel, will be God’s very own people forever!



II. you, O Lord, have become their God.

A. “The church of Christ is the present and final manifestation of Israel,” Smith wrote.

2 Samuel 7:25, "And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, (NIV) I. And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house.

A. God’s promises were conditional and David prayed that he and his posterity would keep their part of this covenant. (See Clarke) B. Israel’s decline and fall resulted from the fact that they did not faithfully keep their part of this covenant with God!

II. Do as you promised, …

A. David sought for assurances that God’s promises through Nathan were for real. (See Smith) B. Others, Gideon for example, had sought and obtained signs, assurances from God.

1. Judges 6:36-40, Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised-look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one



more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:26, so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. (NIV) I. so that your name will be great forever.

A. David prayed for the glorifying of God’s name, that God’s name would be magnified forever. (Matthews Henry) B. God’s glory should be the center of our prayers, thoughts and deeds. (See Matthews Henry)

II. Then men will say, “The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!” III. And the house of your servant David will be established before you. 2 Samuel 7:27, "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. (NIV) I. O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying,…

A. 1 Samuel 9:15, Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: (NIV)

II. ‘I will build a house (dynasty) for you.’ III. So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer.



A. 1 Samuel 17:32, David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:28, O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. (NIV) I. O Sovereign Lord, you are God! II. Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 2 Samuel 7:29, Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." (NIV) I. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; …

A. Job 6:9, that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! (NIV) B. This prayer is being answered in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ who, according to the flesh, descended from David.

II. for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

A. Hebrews 10:12, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (KJV)



Conclusion: I. The ultimate fulfillment of these divine promises was realized in Christ, the Messiah.

A. Matthew 1:1, The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (KJV) B. Acts 13:22-23, And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (KJV)

C. Hebrews 1:5, For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (KJV) D. Luke 1:32, He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (KJV) E. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV)

II. Let us resolve anew to faithfully serve Christ our Lord.



Questions

2 Samuel 7:1-29

(Questions based on NIV text.)

1. “2 Samuel 7 is, without doubt, the _______________________ ______________________ of the ______________________________ of ____________________ if not of the _________________________ _____________________ as a whole,” Anderson wrote. 2. How are the events addressed in 2 Samuel 7 arranged, chronologically or topically? Of what significance is this? ________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What did David say to Nathan the prophet? (See verse 2) _________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What reply did Nathan make to David? ________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



5. Did Nathan speak wisely on this occasion? Did he speak for God in verse 3? If not, what can we learn from this? _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Why did David want to build a house for God? _________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What was God’s attitude, position regarding having a house built for Him? _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Why was David not the one to build God’s house? _______________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Let us be _________________ that what is ____________________ to _______________________ and what is _______________________ to __________________________ are the _______________________.



10. How can it be said that God dwelled in a tent (Tabernacle) and a house (temple) when the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain his greatness? ________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. What qualities made David great? ___________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. What blessings did God promise David? (See verses 9-12)________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. What promises did God make regarding Israel? (See verse 10) ____ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. How was God’s promise in verses 12-13 fulfilled? ______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. To whom do verses 14-15 apply? If they refer to Christ, how can it be said, “When he does wrong, I will punish him…” when Jesus did no wrong? ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. In what way can it be said that David’s house and kingdom would endure forever? (see verse 16) _________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. “_________________ ___________________ to _______________ the ___________________ of this ______________________________ ____________________.” (see verse 17) 18. _________________, ________________’s ___________________ ___________________, _________________ ____________________ and __________________________ ________________________ what ___________________ had said! 19. Of how many preachers you know can this be said? Give reasons for your answer? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. __________________, ____________________, _______________, ______________________, et. al. all received ____________________ from the Lord. 21. What if anything was unusual about David’s sitting to pray? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. ____________________ may not have ___________________ all the ___________________ of these ____________________________, but he knew that, like ______________________, all the ____________ _____________________ of the _______________________________ would be ______________________ through him. 23. What made God great in David’s view? (see verse 22) ___________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. How was Israel unique? (see verse 23) _______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



25. Is Israel now God’s very own people? If so, define the Israel that is now God’s very own people. __________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 26. Why did David, need assurance from God that he would keep his promises? God is absolutely trustworthy and this David knew very well. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 27. _____________________ ___________________ for the ________ ____________________ of _________________’s ________________, that ________________’s name would be ________________________ _____________________. __________________’s ________________ should be the ___________________ of our ______________________, ______________________ and _________________________. 28. Why was it so important to David that his descendants rule over Israel forever? ______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 29. Give evidence from the New Testament that God’s promises to David were fulfilled in Christ. _________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. In your own words, summarize 2 Samuel 7:1-29. _______________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


god’s promise to david david’s prayer 2 samuel...

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