2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 7:1

F. God’s Covenant with David (Chap. 7)7:1-5 David felt that it was unsuitable for him to be dwelling in his fine home while the ark of God was kept inside tent curtains. So he notified Nathan the prophet of his intention to build a house for the ark. Nathan at first approved, apparently because he acted without consulting the Lord. Then the word of the LORD came to him, informing him that David would not be allowed to build a temple for Jehovah. 7:6-11 The LORD reminded Nathan that He had dwelt in a tent from the time of the Exodus from Egypt. The tent was suitable for the people of Israel as long as they were on the move. The time had now come for a settled temple. 7:12-15 Then the LORD revealed to Nathan an unconditional covenant which He would make with David. This covenant promised that David would have a son (Solomon) who would build the temple; that this son’s throne would be established forever; that when he would sin, God would correct him, but His mercy would not cease. 7:16, 17 It further promised that David’s house, his kingdom, and his throne would be established forever, and that his own descendants would sit upon the throne. David’s dynasty has been interrupted since the Babylonian captivity, but it will be restored when Christ, the Seed of David, returns to reign over all the earth. Jensen elaborates: David wanted to build a temple for God, but Solomon was given the privilege. Undoubtedly the character of David’s life work for God was fighting, not building. But even by this fighting he was clearing the way for another to lay the foundation of that house of worship which his heart had so fondly desired to build. After the warring was over, Solomon erected the temple from materials which David had prepared. David represents Christ in His suffering and victory over the great enemy. Solomon represents Christ in His glory after the suffering and the conflicts are finished.

The church, which is the true temple of God, having Christ for its chief cornerstone, will be manifested in the last day. Now in the church’s days of suffering and conflict the materials are being prepared for this glorious building for God. 7:18-29 Deeply moved by God’s covenant of grace, David went in the temporary tent and offered the prayer of thanksgiving recorded here. In it, says Blaikie, He expresses wonder at the past, at God’s selecting one obscure in family and obscure in person; he wonders at the present: How is it Thou hast brought me thus far? and still more he wonders at the future, the provision made for the stability of his house in all time coming. “And this is the custom (’law’ in margin) of man, O Lord GOD” (v. 19b NASB) means that God had treated David with the same love and condescension that He commanded men to show to one another.