18 Then went H935 king H4428 David H1732 in, and sat H3427 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and he said, H559 Who am I, O Lord H136 GOD? H3069 and what is my house, H1004 that thou hast brought H935 me hitherto? H1988
19 And this was yet a small thing H6994 in thy sight, H5869 O Lord H136 GOD; H3069 but thou hast spoken H1696 also of thy servant's H5650 house H1004 for a great while to come. H7350 And is this the manner H8452 of man, H120 O Lord H136 GOD? H3069
20 And what can H3254 David H1732 say H1696 more H3254 unto thee? for thou, Lord H136 GOD, H3069 knowest H3045 thy servant. H5650
21 For thy word's H1697 sake, and according to thine own heart, H3820 hast thou done H6213 all these great things, H1420 to make thy servant H5650 know H3045 them.
22 Wherefore thou art great, H1431 O LORD H3068 God: H430 for there is none like thee, neither is there any God H430 beside H2108 thee, according to all that we have heard H8085 with our ears. H241
23 And what one H259 nation H1471 in the earth H776 is like thy people, H5971 even like Israel, H3478 whom God H430 went H1980 to redeem H6299 for a people H5971 to himself, and to make H7760 him a name, H8034 and to do H6213 for you great things H1420 and terrible, H3372 for thy land, H776 before H6440 thy people, H5971 which thou redeemedst H6299 to thee from Egypt, H4714 from the nations H1471 and their gods? H430
24 For thou hast confirmed H3559 to thyself thy people H5971 Israel H3478 to be a people H5971 unto thee for H5704 ever: H5769 and thou, LORD, H3068 art become H1961 their God. H430
25 And now, O LORD H3068 God, H430 the word H1697 that thou hast spoken H1696 concerning thy servant, H5650 and concerning his house, H1004 establish H6965 it for H5704 ever, H5769 and do H6213 as thou hast said. H1696
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Samuel 7
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 7
2Sa 7:1-3. Nathan Approves the Purpose of David to Build God A House.
2. the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar—The palace which Hiram had sent men and materials to build in Jerusalem had been finished. It was magnificent for that age, though made wholly of wood: houses in warm countries not being required to possess the solidity and thickness of walls which are requisite for dwellings in regions exposed to rain and cold. Cedar was the rarest and most valuable timber. The elegance and splendor of his own royal mansion, contrasted with the mean and temporary tabernacle in which the ark of God was placed, distressed the pious mind of David.
3. Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart—The piety of the design commended it to the prophet's mind, and he gave his hasty approval and encouragement to the royal plans. The prophets, when following the impulse of their own feelings, or forming conjectural opinions, fell into frequent mistakes. (See on 1Sa 16:6; 2Ki 4:27).
2Sa 7:4-17. God Appoints His Successor to Build It.
4-17. it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan—The command was given to the prophet on the night immediately following; that is, before David could either take any measures or incur any expenses.
11. Also the Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house—As a reward for his pious purpose, God would increase and maintain the family of David and secure the succession of the throne to his dynasty. [See on 1Ch 17:10].
12. I will set up thy seed after thee, &c.—It is customary for the oldest son born after the father's succession to the throne to succeed him in his dignity as king. David had several sons by Bath-sheba born after his removal to Jerusalem (2Sa 5:14-16; compare 1Ch 3:5). But by a special ordinance and promise of God, his successor was to be a son born after this time; and the departure from the established usage of the East in fixing the succession, can be accounted for on no other known ground, except the fulfilment of the divine promise.
13. He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever—This declaration referred, in its primary application, to Solomon, and to the temporal kingdom of David's family. But in a larger and sublimer sense, it was meant of David's Son of another nature (Heb 1:8). [See on 1Ch 17:14.]
2Sa 7:18-29. David's Prayer and Thanksgiving.
18. Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord—Sitting was anciently an attitude for worship (Ex 17:12; 1Sa 4:13; 1Ki 19:4). As to the particular attitude David sat, most probably, upon his heels. It was the posture of the ancient Egyptians before the shrines; it is the posture of deepest respect before a superior in the East. Persons of highest dignity sit thus when they do sit in the presence of kings and it is the only sitting attitude assumed by the modern Mohammedans in their places and rites of devotion.
19. is this the manner of man, O Lord God?—that is, is it customary for men to show such condescension to persons so humble as I am? (See 1Ch 17:17.)
20. what can David say more unto thee?—that is, my obligations are greater than I can express.