Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 7

Verses 1-29

2 Samuel 7. David Proposes to Build a Temple for the Ark but Yahweh Prefers to Dwell in a Tent, as heretofore. He Promises David that his Dynasty shall always Occupy the Throne (D).— An independent narrative, complete in itself; not from any of the main sources, but probably composed towards the close of the Jewish Monarchy by a writer of the Deuteronomic school. 2 Samuel 7:13, referring to Solomon and his Temple, is a later addition. This Divine promise of permanence to the Davidic dynasty is an early form of the Messianic Hope of Israel.

2 Samuel 7:1-3 . David proposes to build a house of cedar for the Ark; Nathan assures him of the Divine approval.

2 Samuel 7:4-17 . Nathan, however, was premature. Clearly, we are shown here that we are not intended to regard every utterance of a prophet recorded in Scripture as an infallible word of God. Yahweh bids Nathan tell David that He does not desire a house of cedar. There are some traces in OT of a view that the Temple of Solomon was a mistaken innovation. Yahweh will be gracious to His people, and the dynasty of David Shall always rule over them.

2 Samuel 7:7 . tribes: read, “ judges” with 1 Chronicles 17:6.

2 Samuel 7:18-29 . David gives thanks glorifying Yahweh and His dealings with himself and with Israel.

2 Samuel 7:19 . and this too after the manner of men: the Heb. is unintelligible, and the text is hopelessly corrupt.