2 Samuel 7:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."

NIV: Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."

NASB: Nathan said to the king, 'Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.'

CSB: So Nathan told the king, "Go and do all that is on your mind, for the Lord is with you."

NLT: Nathan replied to the king, 'Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.'

KJV: And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.

NKJV: Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

David is concerned that he lives in a finely crafted mansion, while the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10) sits in a tent. He's asked the prophet Nathan, and Nathan responds positively (2 Samuel 7:1–2). David's victories in battle, his growing family, and his firmly established rule in Jerusalem all prove that God is with him (2 Samuel 5).

In that era of the ancient Near East, kings would often build temples where their gods could "rest" during times of peace. The pagan thought was that if they could provide rest for their gods, their gods would continue to provide rest for them. David, though, is more concerned with honoring the God of Israel than assuming He needs to take a break.

Nathan's response is premature. That night, God tells him David will not build Him a temple. First, God doesn't need it. Second, David has too much blood on his hands. A moment of peace near the end of a violent life isn't enough to establish the tone God wants associated with His temple. David's son will take the throne, and God will give him significant peace. Solomon will build the temple (2 Samuel 7:4–7, 12–13; 1 Chronicles 22:6–10).

But God isn't done blessing David. God will give David an eternal legacy. Not only will his son be king, but David's "throne shall be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). We'll see that day fulfilled in its entirety when Jesus returns (Luke 1:32).

Second Samuel 7:1–3 gives the context for the Davidic Covenant. David has a home, a family, and peace from his enemies. The ark of the Covenant, however, still lives in a tent (2 Samuel 6:17). David asks the prophet Nathan if he should build a temple. Initially, Nathan says yes, but God speaks to him that night. David will not build a house for God; his son will. But God will build David's "house": his legacy. David shows his faith in God by praising him and gathering materials for his son. David's proposal is also in 1 Chronicles 17:1–2.

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.

In 2 Samuel 7, David learns he can't out-give God. God has made him king and given him a mansion and a family (2 Samuel 5:3, 11–15). He's allowed David to bring the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–15). Now, David wants to build the ark a proper temple. Instead, God says David's son will build the temple, and God will build David a lasting dynasty. Solomon does build the temple (1 Kings 5), and Jesus will fulfill David's dynasty (Luke 1:32).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.