2 Samuel 7:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

NIV: Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

NASB: In accordance with all these words and all of this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

CSB: Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David.

NLT: So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.

KJV: According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

NKJV: According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

Nathan is a prophet and David's advisor. He was there when, in a rare season of peace, David considered his grand house, built by the craftsmen of Tyre of Lebanese cedars, and the tent where the ark of the covenant sat. David's comments to Nathan were vague, but Nathan got the gist. David wanted to build a temple for God. Nathan knew how God blessed David's plans in the past, and assumed God would bless this one, too (2 Samuel 7:1–3).

God sent Nathan a vision that night to let the men know He does not approve of this plan. God lists several reasons: David is not the man for the job; God has never lived in a "house"; and God has never asked for a house (2 Samuel 7:4–7). Elsewhere, God elaborates on that first reason: David's service to God has been filled with war and bloodshed. This is not sinful, but God wants His temple to be built in peace. David can collect all the materials, but God will give David's son, Solomon, sufficient peace to complete the construction (1 Chronicles 22:6–10).

God's message isn't all negative. Instead of David building God a house, God will build David a legacy. His son will sit on the throne. One day, one of David's descendants will reign forever. Israel will have lasting peace. God will be this king's Father (2 Samuel 7:8–16).

For about the next 400 years, God will fulfill this promise directly, but only with great grace. David's descendants will rule Judah. Some will be the good, like Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. Others will be horribly evil, like Manasseh and Jehoram. Even Solomon will fall into idolatry and error (1 Kings 11:1–4). In the modern world, David's descendants haven't reigned since the Babylonian captivity.

But God isn't finished. Jesus, David's descendant on Joseph's (Matthew 1:1–16) and Mary's sides (Luke 2:23–38), is the king from the line of David who will reign forever. When He returns and destroys all of Israel's enemies, He will rule from Jerusalem. Israel will finally have peace. And God's unilateral covenant with David will be fulfilled.

David doesn't know about Jesus, yet. What he knows is that he was a shepherd, and now he's the king. He has deserved nothing that God has blessed him with. Even the promise that his son will take the throne is overwhelming. As his nature dictates, David goes to that tent and sits before the ark as he humbly and gratefully worships his God (2 Samuel 7:18–29).

Second Samuel 7:8–17 records God's counteroffer. David wants to build God a house: a temple for the ark of the covenant to dwell permanently. God doesn't want him to (2 Samuel 7:1–7). Instead, God will build David a "house." Not a palace, but an everlasting dynasty. It will start with Solomon and continue through David's descendants who will rule the southern kingdom of Judah. But it will be fulfilled when Jesus returns and rules from Jerusalem (Luke 1:32). The Davidic Covenant is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 17:7–15.

In 2 Samuel 7, David wants to build a temple for the ark of the covenant. He's convicted that he has a big house, so the ark doesn't belong in a tent (2 Samuel 5:11–12; 6:17). God declines David's request. Rather, God will build David a "house": a dynasty. David's son will be king—and that sone will build the temple. David's throne will be established forever. David responds with a humble prayer of gratitude and praise, asking God to do all He has promised for David and for Israel. God will, through Jesus (Revelation 22:16). First Chronicles 17 records the same events.