Read 2 Samuel 7:1–17
Questions from the Scripture text: Where was the king dwelling (2 Samuel 7:1)? What had Yahweh given Him? To whom did the king speak (2 Samuel 7:2)? What comparison did he make? What did Nathan say to do (2 Samuel 7:3)? Who did he say would be with him? What comes to Nathan in 2 Samuel 7:4? When? For whom was this word (2 Samuel 7:5)? What did He ask? What point does He make in 2 Samuel 7:6? What had He never spoken about (2 Samuel 7:7)? What does He call David in 2 Samuel 7:8? Who chose whom? From where? To be what? What three things does Yahweh point out that He has done for David (2 Samuel 7:9)? What does He call Israel in 2 Samuel 7:10? What will He do for them (2 Samuel 7:10-11)? What does Yahweh declare that He will make for David (verse 11)? When will this happen (2 Samuel 7:12)? Whom will Yahweh set up? From where will the Seed come? What will Yahweh establish? What will the Seed King do (2 Samuel 7:13)? What will Yahweh establish? For how long? What relationship will Yahweh have with Him (2 Samuel 7:14a)? What will happen if He bears guilt/sin (verse 14b)? What will never happen (2 Samuel 7:15)? What will the establishing of the Kingdom of the Seed do for David—what two things will be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16)? How did Nathan respond to this message from Yahweh (2 Samuel 7:17)?
The king already has a house (2 Samuel 7:1), so why is Yahweh promising to build him a house (2 Samuel 7:11) as the main theme of this passage? Because it will be a forever-house (2 Samuel 7:16) that constitutes a forever kingdom under a forever King (2 Samuel 7:12-13).
God’s plans are almost never our plans. David is grateful (for good reason, 2 Samuel 7:1), and tells Nathan that he thinks that he ought to do something in return for God (2 Samuel 7:2). Nathan—doesn’t even have to pray about it—thinks that this is a good idea (2 Samuel 7:3).
But since Nathan doesn’t come to God, God comes to Nathan and points out that He has no need of a house (2 Samuel 7:5-7). It’s not particularly less humbling to God to make His presence known in a tent than in a cedar structure. He makes His dwelling among His people because He is pleased to do so.
He doesn’t need nicer accommodations, or any accommodations at all. BUT, His plan is to make that dwelling among His people in One Whose name is Immanuel. And one of the last things the Scripture will end up saying is that the dwelling place of God is among men (cf. Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:22, Revelation 22:3). That’s where all of this is headed, because…
God is the giving God. Yahweh proceeds to remind David that He gave David the kingship because He was giving His people a prince (2 Samuel 7:8), peace (2 Samuel 7:9) and a place (2 Samuel 7:10). Yes, we owe Him obedience and service, but what can we give unto God? We are simply to honor Him and to trust that He is honoring Himself.
God’s plan is to raise up a seed (2 Samuel 7:12) who will build a house for His own name (2 Samuel 7:13). Does David want to build God a house? Here, Yahweh promises that from David will come the Lord Jesus Himself, in Whom the fullness of God dwells bodily (cf. John 2:21, Colossians 1:18–19, Colossians 2:9)!
This is far more than David bargained for. He thought he would be giving back to God, but God was adding an infinite upgrade to what He had already given to David. Whatever the Lord assigns to us, we can do with the knowledge that God is giving to Himself all glory, even as He gives us the astonishing privilege of participating in His plan for that glory.
God’s great plan is Christ. The language of the seed in 2 Samuel 7:12 obviously reminds us of the Seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15 and the Seed of Abraham in Genesis 12:7 (cf. Galatians 3:16). Here is the One Who will be king forever (2 Samuel 7:13). Yes, Solomon comes from David’s body, and Solomon builds a great temple. But Solomon’s reign ends, and his temple is destroyed.
What reign, what temple, what throne can last forever? Everything in this world is bound to corruption and decay since the Fall (cf. Romans 8:20–22). But there is One coming who can not only bear our iniquity but eliminate it (2 Samuel 7:14, cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, Romans 3:25).
David thought that God had completed his blessing (2 Samuel 7:1), but it turned out that God was just getting started. His plan is to glorify Himself in Christ, by giving Himself for us in Christ, that He might give Himself to us in Christ. Forever and ever.
We dream of accomplishing great things for God, but when we realize what God is doing for Himself and for us, we learn that there is nothing that we can “accomplish” that could add to that. Whatever roles and duties He has assigned to us already participate in that marvelous plan. So, let us pursue regular faithfulness with all the zeal that we would have if we were building the very temple of God!
What do you want to “accomplish” for God? What roles & duties has He assigned you? What is He accomplishing?
Suggested songs: ARP72ABC “God, Give Your Judgments to the King” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”
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