7 2 David would build God an house, but is forbidden by the Prophet Nathan. 8 God putteth David in mind of his benefits. 12 He promiseth continuance of his kingdom and posterity.
1 Afterward (A)when the King sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies,
2 The King said unto Nathan the Prophet, Behold, now I dwell in an house of cedar trees, and the Ark of God remaineth within the [a]curtains.
3 Then Nathan said unto the king, Go, and do all that is in thine heart: for the Lord is with thee.
4 ¶ And the same night the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,
5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, [b]Shalt thou build me an house for my dwelling?
6 For I have dwelt in no house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt unto this day, but have walked in a tent and Tabernacle.
7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel, spake I one [c]word with any of the tribes of Israel when I commanded the Judges to feed my people Israel? or said I, Why build ye not me an house of cedar trees?
8 Now therefore so say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, (B)I took thee from the sheepcote following the sheep, that thou mightest be ruler over my people, over Israel.
9 And I was with thee wheresoever thou hast walked, and have destroyed all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a [d]great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10 (Also I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant it, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move [e]no more, neither shall wicked people trouble them anymore as beforetime,
11 And since the time that I set Judges over my people of Israel) and I will give thee rest from all thine enemies: also the Lord telleth thee, that he will make thee an house.
12 (C)And when thy days be fulfilled, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, and I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy body, and will establish his kingdom.
13 (D)He shall build an house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 (E)I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and if he (F)sin, I will chasten him with the [f]rod of men, and with the plagues of the children of men.
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul whom I have put away before thee.
16 And thine house shall be established and thy kingdom forever before thee, even thy throne shall be [g]established forever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, Nathan spake thus unto David.
18 ¶ Then King David went in, and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God, therefore thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while: but [h]doth this appertain to [i]man, O Lord God?
20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant.
21 For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things, to make them known unto thy servant.
22 Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 (G)And what one people in the earth is like thy people, like Israel? whose God went and redeemed them to himself, that they might be his people, and that he might make him a name, and do for [j]you great things, and terrible for [k]thy land, O Lord, even for thy people, whom thou redeemedst to thee out of Egypt, from the [l]nations, and their gods?
24 For thou hast [m]ordained to thyself thy people Israel to be thy people forever: and thou Lord art become their God.
25 Now therefore, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and his house, and do as thou hast said.
26 And let thy Name be magnified forever by them that shall say, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel, and let the [n]house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27 For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed unto thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant [o]been bold to pray this prayer unto thee.
28 Therefore now, O Lord God, (for thou art God, and thy words be true, and thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant.)
29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast [p]spoken it: and let the house of thy servant be blessed forever with thy blessing.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 7:2 Within the Tabernacle covered with skins, Exod. 26:7.
- 2 Samuel 7:5 Meaning, he should not: yet Nathan speaking according to man’s judgment and not by the spirit of prophecy, permitted him.
- 2 Samuel 7:7 As concerning building of an house: meaning, that without God’s express word, nothing ought to be attempted.
- 2 Samuel 7:9 I have made thee famous through all the world.
- 2 Samuel 7:10 He promiseth them quietness, if they will walk in his fear and obedience.
- 2 Samuel 7:14 That is, gently, as fathers used to chastise their children.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 This was begun in Solomon, as a figure, but accomplished in Christ.
- 2 Samuel 7:19 Hebrew, is this the law of man?
- 2 Samuel 7:19 Cometh not this rather of thy free mercy, than of any worthiness that can be in man?
- 2 Samuel 7:23 O Israel.
- 2 Samuel 7:23 And inheritance, which is Israel.
- 2 Samuel 7:23 From the Egyptians and their idols.
- 2 Samuel 7:24 He showeth that God’s free election is the only cause, why the Israelites were chosen to be his people.
- 2 Samuel 7:26 This prayer is most effectual, when we chiefly seek God’s glory, and the accomplishment of his promise.
- 2 Samuel 7:27 Hebrew, found his heart disposed.
- 2 Samuel 7:29 Therefore I firmly believe it shall come to pass.