2 SAMUEL LESSON 8
We will begin this lesson in II Samuel 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;"
This is speaking of a time of peace from wars with the
Philistines. David is, now, the undisputed king of all Israel.
II Samuel 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."
This, again, shows that David realizes that the LORD is the real
King. He is just acting king. He feels guilty, having a beautiful
cedar home, and the LORD is still dwelling in tents. He wants to do
something to show the greatness of his God to all the world. At this
time, Nathan is acting prophet. Nathan was David's spiritual adviser.
II Samuel 7:3 "And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that [is]
in thine heart; for the LORD [is] with thee."
Nathan speaks hastily here. He knows that David has very good
intentions. His quick answer is, probably, because he knows the love
that David has for the LORD.
II Samuel 7:4 "And it came to pass that night, that the word of
the LORD came unto Nathan, saying," II Samuel 7:5 "Go and tell my
servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for
me to dwell in?"
We are not told, whether Nathan was asking the LORD about this,
or whether the LORD just makes Nathan aware of His presence, and tells
him. It could have been through a dream, or a vision, or even a spoken
Word from God. We do know that the LORD communicated with Nathan, and
told him to go and speak to David, before he starts on a house for the
LORD. The office of prophet was a divine call from God. Nathan would
speak to David the Words the LORD has given him. We see in this, not a
direct command not to build the house of the LORD, but showing that
the LORD cannot be held in a house made with human hands.
II Samuel 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."
The presence of the LORD in the tabernacle in the wilderness, had
been obvious to the people by the smoke by day and the fire by night.
Perhaps, the fact that the LORD was in the tabernacle {like a tent},
was because He would remain with them, as long as they kept His
commandments. The blessings, received by His presence, were
conditional on them keeping His commandments. These people were not
aware that the LORD is "omnipresent". He is not confined to just one
place at one time. He is everywhere all the time. His obvious presence
in the tabernacle was to reassure them. He was not limited to one
location.
II Samuel 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?"
The LORD had never commanded anyone to build Him a permanent
house of Cedar. This would be a little futile, since all the world
cannot contain Him. We see in the following Scripture, what Solomon
says about this very thing. II Chronicles 6:18 "But will God in very
deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of
heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have
built!"
II Samuel 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:"
This is an explanation from the LORD, about the high calling that
was on David's life. God had chosen David from a meager childhood to
be his servant. There are not many people in the Bible spoken of as
servant of God. It is a very high calling. Saul had been a king of the
people's desire. David is a king of the LORD's desire. He was to show
the world, what a servant of God is. The Messiah {Jesus Christ} was
the ultimate of those who are servant of God. He was a visual example
of the LORD in heaven, here on the earth. Jesus is descended from
David in the flesh, but in the Spirit is the God of David. The kingly
office that David held over all Israel {physical Israel} is a type and
a shadow of Jesus, who will be KING of kings and LORD of lords.
Spiritual Israel {all believers in Christ} are waiting for that Day,
when Jesus will reign over all the earth, as KING.
II Samuel 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."
Among flesh and blood men that dwelled upon the earth, David was
highly honored. David's reign on the earth was a type and shadow of
the millennium reign of Jesus Christ as KING of all the earth. David
won every battle, because the LORD was with him. David is the only
earthly king that is spoken of in connection with the LORD Jesus.
Mark 12:36 "For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to
my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy
footstool." Mark 12:37 "David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and
whence is he [then] his son? And the common people heard him gladly."
David called Jesus LORD, and yet, He was the ancestor of Jesus in the
flesh. Jesus is even spoken of as Son of David.
II Samuel 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,"
The LORD is speaking of the promised land. This is the land
promised to Abraham, so very long ago. This was the land that the LORD
had chosen for the children of Israel. The Lord had gone to great
trouble, to see that they received this land as their inheritance from
Him. This is their permanent home.
II Samuel 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."
The house that the LORD made for Israel was the land of Israel.
He had, also, built them a spiritual house, built to show the world
the greatness of the LORD. The judges had been given the people to
bring them to the knowledge of the severity of the law, if it were not
kept, and the blessings that went with keeping the law. God blessed
the land, while the judges were ruling the land. Their rebellion
against their LORD is what had brought difficulties for them. The
establishment of David as king, is a shadow of a better kingdom to
come through Jesus Christ our LORD.
II Samuel 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."
This is speaking of a time, when David will die and his son,
Solomon, takes his place as king of Israel. In this, David is assured,
that one of his sons will reign as king of Israel.
II Samuel 7:13 "He shall build an house for my name, and I will
stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."
The LORD will have the son of David to build the house of the
LORD, that David desires to build. The kingdom established in David is
a never-ending kingship. I Chronicles 17:14" But I will settle him in
mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be
established for evermore."
II Samuel 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:" II Samuel 7:15 "But my mercy
shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from Saul, whom I put
away before thee."
This is speaking of Solomon as a type of king of peace.
Solomon's reign will be a reign of peace upon the earth. The
chastening from God comes through the men of the earth. God's grace is
eternal. This grace is speaking of the grace that is in Jesus Christ.
The law is fulfilled in Him, and grace will reign in its stead.
II Samuel 7:16 "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be
established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for
ever."
I Kings 2:45 "And king Solomon [shall be] blessed, and the throne
of David shall be established before the LORD for ever." This is
speaking of that never-ending kingdom, that is finally established
through the LORD Jesus Christ.
II Samuel 7:17 "According to all these words, and according to all
this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David."
These words of Nathan, which were actually Words of the LORD
through Nathan, encouraged David in several ways. God would allow the
temple that David wanted to be built. David would not build it,
however. It would be built by his son, Solomon. The kingdom of David
would be an everlasting kingdom through Jesus Christ.
II Samuel 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?"
David never stops being humble before the LORD. David is truly
overwhelmed by the promises from the LORD spoken to him through
Nathan. David actually stayed for a while before the LORD, is what
the sitting means. We know that Solomon would kneel before the altar
of the LORD with both of his hands raised in praise, when he dedicated
the temple. I would assume he learned this humbleness from David.
II Samuel 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?"
Whatever the LORD says is an absolute truth, and David is aware
of that. David is, also, very aware that the eternal blessing he had
heard is not an earthly blessing at all, but is a heavenly blessing on
the house of David. This is not difficult for the LORD, but it is a
major thing in the sight of David.
II Samuel 7:20 "And what can David say more unto thee? for thou,
Lord GOD, knowest thy servant."
This is true of all mankind. The LORD knows what is in our
hearts, sometimes, even better than we know ourselves. David knows
there is no need to try to explain to the LORD how he feels. The LORD
already knows.
II Samuel 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]."
The following Scripture tells exactly how God feels about His
Word. Psalms 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise
thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast
magnified thy word above all thy name." David has weaknesses, just
like all of us. The reason that the LORD has chosen to do this through
David is, because of God's love, and not David's goodness.
II Samuel 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."
David knows of the greatness of the LORD. He has been protective
of David in every danger. He found David a little shepherd boy, and
made him a king. David made mistakes, as we all do, but he had a heart
that was stayed upon God. I Kings 8:23 "And he said, LORD God of
Israel, [there is] no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth
beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk
before thee with all their heart:"
II Samuel 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?"
David is looking back, when there was no nation of Israel. There
was a family of Jacob in bondage to an Egyptian Pharaoh. They had no
hope left. The LORD sent Moses, and the ten plagues, and freed the
house of Jacob from bondage in Egypt. They were made the nation of
Israel during their wilderness wanderings. God gave His law to them.
The blessings of God were upon them. All he wanted from them, was for
them to put away false gods, and be faithful to Him. Over and over in
the Bible, the LORD is spoken of as the LORD God of Israel. They were
His chosen people.
II Samuel 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."
The original promise was made to Abraham. God keeps His Word. God
honored His covenant with Abraham through physical Israel and
spiritual Israel {Christians}. The gates of hell shall not prevail
against spiritual Israel {Christians}. Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be]
Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise."
II Samuel 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."
This is like David saying, "Amen", so be it. He is pleased that
the LORD has chosen to do this. He does not understand, why God has
chosen to do this through his lineage, but he is pleased, and believes
that it will happen, because God said it.
II Samuel 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."
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. David is saying,
let it be. David has decided for himself, that he will forever magnify
the name of the LORD. The desire of every Christian is that all of
their children, grandchildren, and so on will know the Lord and trust
Him. David is thrilled that his ancestry will follow the Lord, the
same as he has done.
II Samuel 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."
David is so pleased that the LORD has told him all of this and
now, he has found courage to pray, that all the LORD said would be
true. He would have felt presumptions praying for such a wonderful
thing, had the LORD not revealed to him, that it would happen.
II Samuel 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:"
This is David speaking confidently that the LORD, He is God. He
knows beyond a shadow of doubt, that the LORD is Truth. His Word is
True. David is saying, "Lord you said it, and I know all these good
things are true".
II Samuel 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."
David is praying, that the LORD will not regret placing this
wonderful blessing on him. We see a very positive statement from David
that he believes the LORD will do, just as He has said. Notice, the
word "now". David says, "let the blessings begin". We all feel that
way. True Christians now are crying out, "Lord Jesus, come quickly".
We want to be blessed, also.
2 Samuel 8 Questions
1. Who is the king in verse 1?
2. Who was the prophet David spoke to?
3. What was concerning David?
4. How does Nathan speak hastily in verse 3?
5. What happened that night, that made Nathan change his message to
David?
6. The office of prophet was a _________ ________ from God.
7. What does the Lord say to David in verse 6?
8. How had the presence of the LORD been obvious to the people in the
wilderness?
9. The blessings received by the presence of the LORD was ________.
10. What does "omnipresent" tell us?
11. Had God asked them to build a house of cedar for Him?
12. Why would that be a futile thing to do?
13. Quote 2 Chronicles chapter 6 verse 18.
14. What was David called, in verse 8, that few are called?
15. Jesus is descended from David in the ________.
16. Who are spiritual Israel?
17. What was David's reign a type and shadow of?
18. Quote Mark chapter 12 verses 36 and 37.
19. What land is the Lord speaking of in verse 10?
20. Why had God given them judges?
21. When David dies, who will reign in his stead?
22. Who will build the temple?
23. Solomon was a type of king of _______.
24. Quote 2 Samuel chapter 7 verse 16.
25. Nathan's words were actually whose?
26. What question does David ask the Lord in verse 18?
27. When Solomon dedicated the temple, how did he pray?
28. Why is it not necessary for David to explain what is in his heart
to the LORD?
29. Quote Psalms chapter 138 verse 2.
30. How does David know of the goodness of the LORD?
31. God honors His promise to Abraham through whom?
32. The ______ of ________is the God over Israel.
33. How had David found courage to pray?
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