2 Samuel 7
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Samuel 7
NJB (MT versing) David Plans to Build A Temple God's Covenant with David David Wishes to Build a Temple but God Wills that He Establish an Everlasting Kingdom Nathan's Message to David Nathan's Prophecy 7:1-3 7:1-3 7:1-3 7:1-2 7:1-3 7:3-7 7:4-7 7:4-11 7:4-17 7:4 7:5-6 God's Covenant with David 7:7-16 7:8-17 7:8-16 7:12-17 7:17 7:17 David's Prayer David's Thanksgiving to God David's Prayer of Thanksgiving David's Prayer 7:18-29 7:18-29 7:18-29 7:18-24 7:18a 7:18b-24 7:25-27 7:25-29 7:28-29 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is a crucial Messianic passage. This chapter continues to specify the origin of YHWH's special coming king. from Abraham ‒ Gen. 12:1-3 from the tribe of Judah ‒ Gen. 49:10 from the family of Jesse/David ‒ 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17 from a virgin ‒ Isa. 7:14 (Matt. 1:23, LXX) comes during the fourth kingdom (i.e., Rome) ‒ Dan. 2:34-35 born in Bethlehem (David's hometown) ‒ Micah 5:2 This chapter is a word play on "house." a temple for YHWH, vv. 3,5,6,7,13,27 a dynasty for David, vv. 9,11,12,16,18,19,26,27,29 (twice) David's palace, v. 1 YHWH removed Saul for his covenant disobedience but he promises David he will not do that to him or his descendants (v. 13) but will correct them as a Father (v. 14). Since the kingdom of Judah was exiled by Babylon (i.e., king and royal house) finally destroyed by Rome the "eternity" factor (vv. 16,24,25,29) must refer to the Messiah who was from Abraham, Judah, David, born during the Roman Empire. SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH Notice the variety in Israel's Deity's name. God (Elohim), vv. 2,23,24,26,28; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. Lord (YHWH), vv. 2,3,4,5,11 (twice),18,24; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. Lord of Hosts, vv. 8,26,27; see SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS Lord God (Adon YHWH), vv. 18,19 (twice), 20,22,25,28,29 God of Israel (Adon), v. 27 (cf. 1 Chr. 17:24)
2 Samuel 7:1-3
7:1 "in his house" This refers to David's palace which Hiram of Tyre helped build (cf. 2 Sam. 5:11-12). ▣ "the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies" This is an aspect of YHWH's covenant promise (cf. vv. 9,11; i.e., "the Lord is with you," v. 3, cf. Deut. 28:7). This peace showed YHWH's presence and blessing as well as David's covenant obedience. Most covenants are conditional ("if. . .then"; i.e., 1 Kgs. 9:4-7). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO OT COVENANT PROMISES SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES? 7:2 "Nathan" As David used the High Priest to know YHWH's will (i.e., Urim and Thummim), he also used prophets to hear from YHWH. The two main prophets during the period were Nathan, cf. 2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Kings 1 Gad, cf. 1 Sam. 22:5; 2 Sam. 24:11-13,14,18,19 ▣ "the ark of God" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT. ▣ "dwells within tent curtains" It is uncertain the shape of David's new tent (2 Sam. 6:17; 1 Chr. 15:1,3; 16:1). Many scholars assume it was a combination of the tabernacle of the wilderness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE OF THE WILDERNESS.) the larger structure mentioned in 1 Samuel 1 YHWH designed His first tabernacle to be portable to go with Israel during the Exodus and Conquest (vv. 6-7), but now Jerusalem had become its permanent home. This was the special place that YHWH Himself chose to dwell (see Deut. 12:5,11,21; 14:23,24; 16:6,11; 26:2). Not only did the "tent" dwell (BDB 442, KB 444, Qal PERFECT) but YHWH Himself dwelt there, in the holy of holies, above the wings of the cherubim on the lid of the ark. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM ▣ "tent curtains" The tabernacle in the wilderness is called by two names. "tent" (BDB 13) ‒ 2 Sam. 6:17; 1 Chr. 15:1; 16:1; 2 Chr. 1:4 "curtains" (BDB 438; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 542) ‒ Exod. 26:1,2,8; Num. 4:25; here; 1 Chr. 17:1; Jer. 4:20; 10:2 I am not sure if there is an intended difference or just literary variety. The problem has to do with which tent is being referred to here. It seems that the tabernacle of the wilderness, first set up in the Promised Land at Shiloh (cf. Josh. 18:1; 19:51; 1 Sam. 2:22), was later moved to Gibeon, where it stayed during David's life (cf. 1 Chr. 16:39-40; 2 Chr. 1:2-6) and was not moved to Jerusalem until Solomon's reign (cf. 2 Chr. 1:3-4,13). 7:3 "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you" These are two Qal IMPERATIVES. However, Nathan spoke presumptuously from his own opinion without prayer and consultation with YHWH. We must remember "revelation" is from YHWH (v. 4), not the mind and heart of man, even a called and gifted man! For "mind," which is literally "heart" (BDB 523), see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART.
2 Samuel 7:4-7
7:5 "My servant David" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT. ▣ "Are you the one who. . ." This was the key question. Should David, a man of war (cf. 1 Chr. 22:8; 28:3), build YHWH's temple/house or should his son, a man of peace? The UBS Handbook for Translators, p. 252, mentions that both pronouns "you" and "Me" are emphasized. 7:7 This is similar to the statement in 1 Kgs. 8:16 (i.e., Solomon's dedication of the Temple). here, it says "one of the tribes of Israel" in 1 Kings "a city out of all the tribes of Israel" However, the parallel in 1 Chr. 17:6 has "Judges." The word "Judges" (BDB 1047, שׁפט is very close to "tribes" (BDB 986, שׁבטי). Judges fits the context much better. ▣ "which I commanded to shepherd My people" This seems to refer to the different leaders from different tribes. Moses ‒ Levi (cf. Num. 27:17) Aaron ‒ Levi Joshua ‒ Ephraim Judges ‒ many different tribes (v. 11 and 1 Chr. 17:6 parallel) Samuel ‒ Levi (maybe) Saul ‒ Benjamin (cf. 2 Sam. 5:2) David ‒ Judah However, if it should be "judges" (see note above), it would simply refer to "leaders" of different types (cf. v. 11).
2 Samuel 7:8-17
7:8 "the Lord of hosts" See SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS. ▣ "I took you from the pasture" David was the younger, most unlikely choice for king (cf. 1 Samuel 16). There are several ways YHWH shows His sovereign choice. several of the wives of the Patriarchs were barren often the firstborn was not the leader of the family 7:9 This wording is similar to YHWH's promise to Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3. As a matter of fact, it is a continuation of those promises. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 7:10 YHWH is promising a home land. This promise is the focus of the OT, while the promise to David's seed and an eternal kingdom is the focus of the NT (i.e., Micah 5:2-5). Canaan is often called YHWH's land. Notice the land given to Israel was the only land bridge between the two major powers of the ANE. Egypt Mesopotamia Only God could keep them in the land (i.e., supernatural acts). Also notice the things mentioned in vv. 8-10 are "grace" acts. The OT is as much a reflection and revealer of the grace of God as is the NT. It is difficult theologically to balance the grace acts and promises of YHWH with the covenant obedience (i.e., "if. . .then") of the Mosaic covenant; see D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, "Conditional or Unconditional?" pp. 44-47 They are both true, yet #1 must have priority. ▣ "I will plant them" This VERB (BDB 642, KB 694, Qal PERFECT with waw, the FIRST PERSON emphasizes YHWH's action) is agricultural imagery, but it is used of YHWH's actions for Israel in Exod. 15:17; Ps. 44:2; 80:8,15; Isa. 5:2,7; Jer. 2:21; 11:17; 12:2; 24:6; 31:28; 32:41; 42:10; Ezek. 17:23; Amos 9:15. The vine often symbolizes Israel. YHWH is the husbandman. The ground, the plants, the crop are His! ▣ "and not be disturbed again" Israel was "disturbed" by "the wicked" because of her covenant disobedience (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Verse 10 implies a new day of covenant obedience (cf. Deut. 30:1,15,19). The promises of YHWH to Israel were always conditional. There is tension here because YHWH's ultimate purpose was the redemption of all people. On one level, His purposes are sure, but on another level the blessings are conditional on individual and corporate choices! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION/PREDESTINATION AND THE NEED FOR A THEOLOGICAL BALANCE 7:11-12 Here is the play on the word "house." David wants to build YHWH a "house" (i.e., temple) but YHWH instead will build David a house (i.e., dynasty, see Contextual Insights, B.). 7:12 Notice death is not seen as an enemy but a consummate act before reunion with family. Death is only a terror to those who do not know YHWH (cf. 1 Chr. 17:11 and 1 Cor. 15:50-58)! SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? 7:13-14 "he. . .him" These PRONOUNS refer directly to Solomon. Clearly "I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" refers to a future Davidic seed (cf. Isaiah 7; 11; Jer. 23:5-6; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:14, 18, 27; Micah 5:2-5; Luke 1:32,33; Acts 2:30). 7:13 "lovingkindness" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed). 7:14 "he will be a son to Me" This is a play on "son" (cf. Ps. 2:7; Acts 13:23; Heb. 1:5; 5:5). SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SON OF GOD SPECIAL TOPIC: "SONS OF. . ." (OT) ▣ NASB, NRSV, TEV, REB, JPSOA "when" NKJV, NJB, LXX, Peshitta "if" This is a very ambiguous relative (BDB 81-84). No theological emphasis should be made about this second phrase of v. 14. Here are the options. an assumption that the Davidic kings will sin, "when" (BDB 82, #4); see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL an aspect of covenant ("if," i.e., obedience, blessed; but disobedience, cursed; cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28, i.e., the two ways, cf. Deut. 30:1,15,19; Psalm 1); see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "I will discipline him" This is imagery of God as "father' (cf. 1 Chr. 17:13; 22:10; 28:6; Ps. 2:7; 89:26-26; Heb. 12:5-13). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD 7:15 "My lovingkindness" NKJV, LXX, Peshitta "My mercy" "my steadfast love" "my faithful love" "my love" "My favor" This is the recurrent covenant term hesed (BDB 338). It denotes YHWH's loyalty to His covenant promises, even in the light of His people's disobedience (v. 14b). It is the closest OT parallel to "agape." SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed) 7:16 This same great promise is seen in Ps. 89:29,36,37. The problem comes in the OT exiles of the covenant people from Canaan (i.e., Assyrian and Babylonian) and the Roman destruction of all Jewish nationalism in a.d. 70. This is part of the tension between YHWH's promises and Israelite's covenant obedience. For the ambiguity of "forever" in the OT see SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). ▣ NASB, NKJV, NJB, LXX, Peshitta, NET "before Me" NKJV, JPSOA "before you" "in my sight" The MT has "before me" (cf. vv. 26,29). The UBS Text Project, p. 222, gives it a "C" rating (considerable doubt). if "before Me" is followed, then it emphasizes YHWH's future action to accomplish this and it has a Messianic flavor if "before you" is followed, then it asserts that David himself will see YHWH accomplish this promise in his lifetime Some scholars think a scribal error occurred in the MT because "before you" appears at the end of v. 15. Option #2 fits the latter part of v. 16 better. 7:17 These words were not the prophet Nathan's but YHWH's! This is revelation. SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION
2 Samuel 7:18-29
7:18-29 This is David's prayer of thanks for YHWH's wonderful promises about his descendants. The parallel is in 1 Chr. 17:16-27. 7:18 "sat before the Lord" This must have been somewhere in the new tent. The problem occurs when we try to interpret David's actions in light of the Mosaic covenant. Did David offer sacrifices bless the people go into the inner shrine These were all actions limited to Levitical priests. There is also the unusual VERB "sat" (BDB 442, KB 444, Qal IMPERFECT with waw). No priest ever "sat" in the inner shrine. It may be an idiom of remaining a long time. If "sat" is literal it may be a gesture of humility or contrition. SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVITICAL PRIESTS SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES ▣ "Who am I. . .and my house?" This is a good question (cf. v. 5). Was YHWH good to David and his descendants because they were "elect," "special"? Absolutely not! God loves all people made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26,27; Ps. 8:4; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 3:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). David was a means (like Israel) to a divine end (v. 19). ▣ "the custom of man" "the manner of man" "instruction for the people" "let a man see this" "such is human destiny" "the law for the people" "the Law for the person" "the guidance of men" The MT has "the law of Adam." The parallel in 1 Chr. 17:17 has "according to the standard of a man of high degree" (see detailed notes online at 1 Chr. 17:17). The Hebrew phrase is uncertain, even though the UBS Text Project, p. 222, gives it an "A" rating. No suggestion has solved this enigma. I think it may be related to v. 14c (i.e., "rod of men"). That would make it plural "the instruction (law) for men (mankind)." A Messianic revelation of a future Davidic king to rule the world. 7:20 The VERB "know" has several connotations. Here, I think it denotes intimate fellowship. YHWH knows David, though sinful, he has a "whole heart" for Him. SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW 7:21 This is crucial information. YHWH acts because of His prophetic word (cf. vv. 27-28) His revelation can be trusted according to His own heart. YHWH's basic character is love, mercy, forgiveness SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) 7:22 Notice how David characterizes YHWH. You are great (cf. Deut. 3:24; Ps. 48:1; 86:10; 104:1; Mal. 1:5) There is none like You There is no God beside You David heard these truths by revelation and tradition. Now he has personally experienced YHWH's great heart and acts! SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM 7:23 This verse speaks of the uniqueness of Israel as YHWH's means of revealing Himself to the nations. YHWH wanted to bless Israel to attract all other peoples to Himself, but Israel was so disobedient to His covenants that the nations saw only YHWH's judgment on His own people (cf. Galatians 3). ▣ NASB, NKJV "for Your land" NRSV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, LXX "by driving out" "for Your people" The MT has "for Your land," but the parallel in 1 Chr. 17:21 has "a driving out before Your people." The UBS Text Project, p. 224, gives the 1 Chronicles 17 parallel and LXX a "C" rating (considerable doubt). ▣ "from the nations and their gods" YHWH has always wanted to reveal His uniuqeness. Genesis 1 is, in some ways, an attack on the false gods of Mesopotamia (i.e., astral deities), as the plagues of Exodus are an attack on the Egyptian nature deities! There is one, and only one, God (i.e., Deut. 6:4-6). SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM ▣ "redeemed" See SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM. 7:24 "You have established" This VERB (BDB 465, KB 464, Polel IMPERFECT with waw) is used often in Samuel for YHWH's special actions. 1 Sam. 13:13; 20:31 2 Sam. 5:12; 7:12,13,16,24,26 1 Kgs. 2:12,24,45,46 1 Chr. 17:11,12,14,24 The UBS Handbook, p. 771, makes a good point: "This seems to be a key word in this chapter. Note its use in verses 12 and 13." The VERB focuses on YHWH's redemptive will and actions to accomplish it. 7:24,25,29 "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). 7:28 "your words are truth" The VERB (BDB 224, KB 243, Qal) could be IMPERFECT ‒ a gnomic statement of truth an IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense ‒ a desire for YHWH's promises to David to be fulfilled through future generations Most English translations have it as a statement but the NET Bible translates it as a JUSSIVE, "May your words prove to be true." The key to all Christian theology is the truth and trustworthiness of Scripture. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (it's uniqueness and inspiration)