INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES II Samuel Lesson 07
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II Samuel Chapter 7

Memory verses for this week: Mark 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Overview of II Samuel 7: In this chapter is recorded the Davidic Covenant made by God to David. It is followed by record of David’s worship and prayer thereafter.

I.  David Desires to Build God a House


2 Sam 7:1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
2 Sam 7:2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
2 Sam 7:3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.


The chapter commences noting blessing of God upon David’s kingdom. These blessings from the Lord upon David’s kingdom were quite apparent. David had brought the ark of the covenant up to Jerusalem and his palace had been built. In the meantime, God gave him rest (i.e., peace) with the various nations which were traditional enemies against Israel. This rest likely included the Philistines. The thought is that they no longer sought to attack David.

At that time, the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. The palace in which David dwelt was trimmed (and possibly constructed entirely) with cedar. It was a permanent structure and no doubt a beautiful home. However, the ark of the covenant remained in a tabernacle (i.e., a tent). This is also the first mention made in the Bible of the prophet Nathan. He apparently was the primary prophet of the land for he already gave counsel to the king. It is possible that he may have been trained under Samuel.

The implication is that David intended therefore to build a permanent structure or temple to house the ark of the covenant. Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.” It will become clear however, that Nathan was speaking for himself and not from God. As the text unfolds, God would not allow David to build the Temple.



II. Seventh or Davidic Covenant

2 Sam 7:4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
2 Sam 7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
2 Sam 7:6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
2 Sam 7:7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

2 Sam 7:8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
2 Sam 7:9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.


God would speak through Nathan to David regarding the covenant about to be made to David. (1) God did not let Nathan’s errant advice go long uncorrected. That very night, God spoke through the prophet and instructed him to go to David. His message pertained first about the house David proposed to build.

In verse 6, God reminded David that through all the years and centuries since He brought Israel out of Egypt that His earthly presence had been in a tent, the Tabernacle. God asked, did He at any time command that anyone build Him a house of cedar?

In verse 7, God reminds David of his personal history. God once again referred to Himself as Jehovah-Tsaba’ (Lord of Hosts). That is, He is Lord of the armies of heaven. God reminded David that he had taken him from the sheepcote. The sheepcote simply refers to a barn or fold for sheep. From the humble origins of following his father’s sheep. God had taken David to be “ruler over my people, over Israel.” (Often shepherds simply follow the flock as it moves from one grazing area to another.) Now David was king. God had been with him wherever he went and with whatever he did. As David would reflect back over the years, that certainly was true. God had blessed him personally, militarily, and made him famous amongst the great men of the world of that time. Lest, David forget whence his blessing came, God reminded him.

David's humble beginnings no doubt typified our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


2 Sam 7:10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
2 Sam 7:11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
2 Sam 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
2 Sam 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.


It is clear that God had been with David. God reminded David how that it was He who had allowed David to defeat his enemies and it was He who had made David’s name famous. In addition, God made clear that He would further establish Israel His people in their land. They had been there for over four-hundred years already, but now God would diminish threats from their enemies.

Also clear is God’s blessing upon David’s leadership.

In verse 11, God looked back over the period of the judges just past. He once again noted that He had given David peace with nations previously hostile. In light of that, God through Nathan made a profound announcement. “Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.” David had proposed to build a physical house for his God. The Lord rather informed David that He planned to build a dynasty from him. David had in mind a physical house. God had spoken of a spiritual one.

That house would begin as the davidic dynasty, the house and lineage of David.
It will eventually blossom into the millennial reign of Christ and last forever. Upon David’s decease, God promised that one of his sons would succeed him and that He would establish the kingdom in his hand. Solomon of course commenced the davidic dynasty.

In Verse 13, God informs David that it would be his son who would be allowed to build a formal house (temple) unto God.”He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” I Chronicles 28:3 further reveals that one major reason God would not allow David to build the temple was that he had been a man of war and thus had bloody hands.

1 Chr 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.


2 Sam 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
2 Sam 7:15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
2 Sam 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
2 Sam 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.


Notwithstanding His promise of blessing to David’s son, God warned; “I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.” Though being a spiritual father to David’s son, God warned that if David’s son turned to sin, He would chasten him “with the rod of men.” The idea is how that God would use men (i.e., other nations) to chasten Solomon.

That God did when Solomon began to backslide. Bible records this in I Kings 11:14-28.

1 Ki 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
1 Ki 11:15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
1 Ki 11:16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
1 Ki 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
1 Ki 11:18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
1 Ki 11:19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
1 Ki 11:20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
1 Ki 11:21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
1 Ki 11:22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.
1 Ki 11:23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
1 Ki 11:24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
1 Ki 11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
1 Ki 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
1 Ki 11:27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
1 Ki 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

Notwithstanding chastening, God as the great heavenly Father would nevertheless be merciful. He promised that He would not remove His mercy from David’s son as He had done to Saul. (Saul never had a dynasty. God promised David that that fate would not befall him.)

In verse 16, the very essence of the Davidic Covenant is thus reiterated. “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” The house or descendants of David would continue forever. His dynasty would never end. His royal throne would be established in perpetuity Now, history in fact records that the davidic dynasty came to an end in Zedekiah (II Chronicles 36:11 ff). However, the greater fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant will find its consummation in the millennial reign of Christ. That blessed kingdom of God will thence blossom into the eternal kingdom which will never end.

Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
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:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.


The announcement of the covenant was according to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Though God on other occasions spoke directly to those with whom He made covenants (Abraham, for example), in this case He delivered His covenant through a prophet.

III. Davids Worship and Prayer

2 Sam 7:18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
2 Sam 7:19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
2 Sam 7:20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
2 Sam 7:21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
2 Sam 7:22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


The surprise as well as the humility of David are apparent. The sacred historian records, Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD. The mention of David going in and sitting before the Lord likely refers to him going into the special tent (tabernacle) he had pitched at Jerusalem whence was the Ark of the covenant. David evidently got up in the middle of the night and immediately went to where the earthly presence of God was. He being in obvious humility cried out to God, “Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” David realized how unremarkable he was as a sinner before God. Moreover, he was well aware of the humble origins of his family lineage at Bethlehem. How God could so exalt him was only by His grace.

Bible warns us to not think more highly of ourselves than we should. Without God, we are really nothing at all.

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.


In verse 19, He continued, And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy ser- vant’s house for a great while to come. Furthermore, the exaltation which God had bestowed upon David was a small thing in comparison to the promise He had made for David’s posterity. Notice how David (as king) referred to himself as God’s servant.

He continued, And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? The question was rhetorical. David knew this was not the way that men operated. Only a merciful sovereign God would exalt one so inferior as he to such blessing and promise. It was truly a tribute to the grace of God.

David could only say, “for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.” Of interest is that throughout David’s great prayer, he referred to the Lord as Lord GOD. The first word is translated from (ynda) Adonay and the second from (hwhy) Yehovih. Yehovih is a der- ivation of the more common name Jehovah and pronounced by Jews as Jeh-ho-vee. In order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, they elsewhere at times pronounced Jehovah as Adonay.

In verse 21, David launched into praise for what God had promised. “For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. “ David likely referred back to when Samuel anointed him as king. He thus acknowledged how that for God’s Word’s sake and according to His own great heart, He had done this and so informed David thereof. Here in verse 22 David refers to God as Jehovah Elohim in distinction to his previous mention Adonay Yehovih.

In light of God’s tremendous promise to David, all he could do was to praise His holy name. There truly is none like God and He in fact is the only God. David well remembered all that he had heard with his own ears of God’s great deliverance of His people through the preceding centuries.

2 Sam 7:23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
2 Sam 7:24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
2 Sam 7:25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.


David shifted his focus to praising God for all that He had done for Israel.   David praised God for choosing Israel to be His people and in fact redeemed them out of Egypt to do so. David truly appreciated the grace of God which was so undeserved. God in His great mercy and grace chose and redeemed David’s people to Himself. God’s choice of Israel was an eternal proposition. It so remains to this day. In verse 25, David invoked God to establish His proposed covenant forever. God had proposed and in fact promised. David therefore implored Him to do it altogether.

2 Sam 7:26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
2 Sam 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
2 Sam 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
2 Sam 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.


Continuing with praise and yet invocation, David continued. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.

David invoked greatness to God’s name and once again identified Israel as the people of God. (Here David again referred to God as the “LORD of hosts” {Jehovah-Tsaba} which has the thought of ‘the Lord of the armies of heaven.’) Therefore, David again implored Him to establish the covenant He had made.

As if to remind God of what He had promised, David added, “For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house.” Notice how David here referred to the God as both the “LORD of hosts” as well as the “God of Israel.”

J. Vernon McGee made a good comment about David's love for the Lord in his commentary.

Did you know that this became David’s salvation? Listen to what he says in 2 Samuel 23:5, “Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.” David rested upon what God had promised.

God has also made a promise to you. It is recorded in John 3:16. It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Will you believe God? David believed God.

Also we have seen that Abraham believed God. Moses believed God. Joshua believed God. And He wants you to believe God. Whatever your name is, He is saying to you today, “Believe Me. I’ll save you if you will trust Christ as your Savior.” That is His covenant with you and with me.


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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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