2 Samuel 7:4
2 Samuel 7:4 in Multiple Translations
But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
And it came to pass the same night, that the word of Jehovah came unto Nathan, saying,
Now that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and told him,
And the same night the worde of the Lord came vnto Nathan, saying,
And it cometh to pass in that night, that the word of Jehovah is unto Nathan, saying,
That same night, the LORD’s word came to Nathan, saying,
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
But it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
But that night, Yahweh said to Nathan,
But that night God gave Nathan a dream and told him a different story.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 7:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 7:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֖י
בַּ/לַּ֣יְלָה
הַ/ה֑וּא
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
דְּבַר
יְהוָ֔ה
אֶל
נָתָ֖ן
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְהִ֖י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/לַּ֣יְלָה
layil
H3915
night
Prep | N-ms
הַ/ה֑וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
נָתָ֖ן
Nâthân
H5416
Nathan
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 7:4
וַ/יְהִ֖י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בַּ/לַּ֣יְלָה
layil
H3915
"night"
Prep | N-ms
Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.
Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.
הַ/ה֑וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
נָתָ֖ן
Nâthân
H5416
"Nathan"
N-proper
Nathan was a prophet in the time of King David and Solomon, and his name means 'giver' in Hebrew, as mentioned in 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.39 § Nathan = "giver" 1) a son of David by Bathsheba 2) the eminent prophet in the time of David and Solomon 3) a man of Zobah, father of one of David's mighty warriors 4) father of Azariah who was over the officers of Solomon 5) son of Attai and father of Zabad of the tribe of Judah 6) brother of Joel of the tribe of Judah 7) one of the head men who returned from Babylon with Ezra 8) a man with a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 9) head of a family of Israel who shall mourn when they look on Him whom they pierced
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Nathan. See also: 2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Kings 1:34; Psalms 51:2.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 7:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 7:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 7:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 7:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 7:4
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 7:4
Context — God’s Covenant with David
2he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
3And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”
4But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
5“Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? 6For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 17:3 | But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, |
| 2 | Numbers 12:6 | He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. |
| 3 | Amos 3:7 | Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. |
2 Samuel 7:4 Summary
This verse shows us that God speaks to those who are willing to listen, even at night, and He corrects our misunderstandings to align us with His will. Just like Nathan, we can be open to hearing from God and adjusting our plans according to His guidance. As we see in Psalm 119:105, God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us in the right direction. By being attentive to God's voice, we can walk in His ways and fulfill His purposes for our lives, as encouraged in Jeremiah 6:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of God speaking to Nathan at night?
This verse highlights God's direct communication with His prophets, as seen in 1 Samuel 3:4-10, where God also spoke to Samuel at night, demonstrating His personal involvement in the lives of His people and the importance of nighttime as a time for divine communication and revelation.
Why did God correct Nathan's initial response to King David?
God corrected Nathan because Nathan's response was based on human understanding and not on God's specific will, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, which reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding, and in 2 Peter 1:20-21, which emphasizes the importance of prophetic words being spoken as they are moved by the Holy Spirit.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
This verse showcases God's sovereignty, as He takes the initiative to speak to Nathan and correct his response, demonstrating His ultimate authority and control over human decisions and actions, similar to what is seen in Romans 11:33-36, where the Apostle Paul expresses awe at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.
What can we learn from Nathan's experience about hearing from God?
Nathan's experience teaches us that God can speak to us at any time, and it is essential to be attentive to His voice, as stated in Isaiah 30:21, which encourages us to listen for the voice behind us saying, 'This is the way; walk in it,' and in John 10:27, where Jesus says, 'My sheep listen to my voice,' emphasizing the importance of being receptive to God's guidance and direction.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to be more attentive to God's voice, and how can I cultivate a deeper sensitivity to His leading?
- How do I balance my own desires and plans with the need to seek God's will and guidance, as seen in this verse and in Proverbs 16:9?
- In what ways can I, like Nathan, be a vessel for God to speak through, and what does this require of me in terms of my relationship with Him?
- What are some potential consequences of acting on my own understanding without seeking God's guidance, and how can I avoid this pitfall in my decision-making?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 7:4
And it came to pass that night,.... The same night following the day in which David and Nathan had had the above conversation, that neither of them might continue long in their error and mistake, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 7:4
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, It came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4
It came to pass that night: because David’ s mistake was pious, and from an honest mind, God would not suffer him to lie long in his mistake, nor to disquiet his mind, or run himself into inconveniencies, in order to the work, before he gave a stop to it. The word of the Lord came unto Nathan; that the same person who had confirmed David in his mistake, might now rectify it.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4
2 Samuel 7:4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,Ver. 4. And it came to pass that night.] Post datum a Nathane intempestivum responsum. God will not suffer his dear children to lie long in error: but if in anything they be otherwise minded, he will reveal even this unto them.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4
(4) That night.—The night following Nathan’s conversation with David, when the prophet’s mind would have been full of what he had heard, and thus prepared for the Divine communication. That communication is distinctly marked as coming from a source external to the prophet himself, by its being in direct opposition to his own view already expressed.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 7:4
4–17. The Lord’s message to David The connexion of thought in 2 Samuel 7:5-13 is as follows: “Thou shalt not build a house for Me (5–7), but I, who have chosen thee to be the ruler of my people, will build an house for thee (8–11), and thy son shall erect an house for me” (12, 13). The reasons why David’s zeal was thus checked must be carefully considered. The unsettled condition of the nation had made a fixed sanctuary impossible hitherto, and even now the time for it was not yet fully come. The house of David must be firmly established and peace secured, before this great step in the history of the national religion could be advantageously taken. Again, David was not to build the house “because he had shed much blood, and had made great wars” (1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3). Thus personally David was not the fitting man to build the temple, though he is not blamed for wars which were a necessity of the time; and the very fact that he had to wage these wars, shewed that the time for building the temple had not come, because the kingdom was not yet firmly established.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 7:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Two Roads Two Destinies 02 Ireland st.chapel by Worth Ellis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the internal evidences of inspiration in the Bible. The first proof mentioned is that the Bible claims to be the word of God. The second proof |
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(Prophecy) Introduction to Prophecy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the role of a prophet and the importance of being a seer, someone who sees and understands God's plans and purposes. The speaker emphasizes th |
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Introduction to Prophecy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the potential consequences of allowing certain types of music into our lives. He emphasizes the importance of being aware of the long-term ef |
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Naaman Healed of Leprosy Part 2 by Bertha Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the stories of Moses and Mary Maginn from the Bible. He highlights how Moses, at the age of forty, took matters into his own hands and killed |
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The Truth About Prophecy - Introduction - Part 1 by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the different aspects of prophecy in the Bible, highlighting the need for a clear understanding of what true prophecy entails. It addresses the confusion sur |
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God's Man by Francois Carr | This sermon focuses on the transformation and journey of Moses, drawing parallels to personal experiences and the need for surrender, faith, and trust in God. It emphasizes the imp |
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Old Testament Survey - Part 20 by Dick Woodward | This sermon delves into the book of Numbers, focusing on the greatness, meekness, and intimate relationship of Moses with God. It explores the concept of meekness, Moses' sin that |