13 God’s Covenant with David

After having first demonstrated a great desire to relocate the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, now in chapter 7, we see David demonstrate the desire to build a house for God, something more than the tent which had been erected to house the ark.

1 Nathan’s Poor Advice

2 Samuel 7:1-3

Even though Israel remained surrounded by enemies, the Lord had given them a welcomed period of peace.

Even so, David was discomforted knowing that while he resided in a beautiful newly constructed palace, the Lord was still “residing” in a tent. Therefore, David had a great desire to build a “house” for the Lord. This showed the great humility of the Lord.

When the Lord mentioned his desire to the prophet Nathan, instead of Nathan bringing David’s desires before the Lord, the prophet simply told him, “Go do all that it is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

Nathan was acting highly presumptive, by assuming that because David was sincere, and what he desired to do “seemed” good, that it must certainly be God’s will.

2 The Lord Corrects Nathan

The Lord corrected Nathan, to prevent David from once again acting presumptively, as he had in the first attempt to relocate the ark:

2 Samuel 4:4-7

The Lord wanted both David and Nathan to understand, that from the time He’d brought His people out from Egyptian bondage, He’d determined how He would dwell among them, not desiring an opulent home, but He was very content to dwell in the tabernacle.

This shows how man’s nature is flesh-driven, which includes the optics of how things will seem or appear.

That doesn’t mean that believers shouldn’t have desires and wishes, but we must always test those desires against the Bible.

Despite the Lord’s correcting Nathan, He wasn’t displeased with David’s desire to build Him a house.

3 God’s Plan to Build David’s House

While David had expressed the desire to build something far more than the tentlike structure which the Lord had been pleased to dwell in for centuries, the Lord then revealed that He had a plan for David, which would be far more than the new palace he was now residing in:

2 Samuel 7:8-11

The Lord wanted Nathan to remind David that He had been with him every step throughout his life, having taken him from shepherding his father’s sheep, to now become the ruler over the entire nation.

In verse 9, God also showed how He had cut off David’s enemies and made his name “great” (literally feared) in the earth.

This was to be another reminder to David, that he was to always consult the Lord before determining any plan of his own, which should be a great example for each of us.

In verses 10 and 11, that the “house” the Lord wanted to build, would be a permanent kingdom for David:

2 Samuel 7:10-11

In the passage, the Lord was showing that the Promised Land, was to be Israel’s permanent home, with them not to be removed from.

Therefore, the Lord was differentiating between David’s new palace home, and the permanent house which would bear his name.

This showed how the Lord’s plan extended far beyond David’s lifetime.

4 God’s Covenant with David

2 Samuel 7:12-17

The Lord had anointed David as Saul’s replacement, even though one of Saul’s sons (Jonathan) was a faithful follower of God.

The reason is that the Lord had never intended for Israel’s kingdom to be established through Saul’s house. God had chosen Saul as an object lesson for the improper request the people had made, in asking for a man of flesh and blood to lead them.

Therefore, when He rejected the rebellious Saul as king, God made it clear, that He’d chosen as replacement, a man (David) who reflected His own heart:

1 Samuel 13:14

In the text here in 2 Samuel, God was showing that as opposed to Saul’s kingdom, David’s was to be a permanent kingdom, since the Lord was stating that the kingdom would be ongoing, even after David would “rest with (his) fathers.”

Inherent in the promise, is the requirement that David would have to believe it. Which is exactly how every believer should act:

2 Corinthians 1:20

In verse 13, the Lord advised David that the son who would succeed him as king, would be the one He’d allow to build Him a house (the first temple).

Additionally, that the kingdom, (David’s lineage) would last forever.

In verse 14, God then promised to be a “Father” to David’s son, thus showing how the Lord desired to have an intimate relationship with him, just as He enjoyed with David.

Yet, the Lord also promised that He would chasten David’s son if he fell into iniquity. God chastens His children, because of His love for them, thus showing that they are indeed His children:

Hebrews 12:7

Verse 15 shows, that even though the Lord’s chastening hand would be present when iniquity was committed, His mercy would also prevail, and would not be removed, as the Lord had done with Saul. This again, shows the great differences between the Lord’s intents for the monarchies of Saul and David.

Verse 16 reiterates the promise that David’s throne would remain forever.

While some might question how that can be, especially because Israel hasn’t had an earthly king since the time when Judah went into Babylonian captivity, the key is an “earthly” king. Jesus, (Who was from the house of David) sits upon the throne, and will do so for all eternity, as He rules His people.

Finally, in verse 17, we’re told that the prophet Nathan relayed all God’s words to David.