2 Samuel 7:1-5
7:1 After the king was settled [suggests a certain amount of time had passed since the ark was moved from Kiriath Jearim (1 Chron. 13:5) to Jerusalem] in his palace [built by exceptional Phoenician craftsmen (2 Sam. 5:11)] and the LORD had given him rest [denotes stability God had brought to the empire] from all his enemies around him,

7:2 he said [David’s words reveal his heart for God] to Nathan [first mention of Nathan; apparently appointed by David to serve in the royal court] the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God [the visible representation of God’s presence with His people; cf. 2 Sam. 6:1-19] remains in a tent.”

7:3 Nathan [who had confidence in David] replied [gave his approval before consulting God] to the king [who wanted to honor God], “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.”

Note: Why should we always ask God for guidance concerning our courses of action (even when we are confident our motives are right)? What steps can we take to insure our human plans are in accordance with God’s will?

7:4 That night the word of the LORD came [perhaps through a dream or a vision] to Nathan, saying:

7:5 “Go and tell my servant [emphasizes David’s submission to God’s will and purpose] David, ‘This is what the LORD [not Nathan; stresses heavenly origin of what Nathan was conveying to David] says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?

Note: David accepted Nathan’s message with humility and thanksgiving (1 Chron. 17:16-27). Rather than growing despondent, David willingly and sacrificially invested in what he would not personally see through to completion. When Solomon was a young man, David made extensive preparations for building the temple (v. 5). He personally purchased a parcel of land from Araunah the Jebusite (see 1 Chron. 21:20-30) and instructed his young son to build the temple at that site (1 Chron. 22:1). He also organized workers (1 Chron. 22:2) and gathered materials for the project (1 Chron. 22:3-4). David did his best to strengthen the hand of the one who would fulfill his dream (1 Chron. 22:14-16).

2 Samuel 7:8-16

7:8 “Now then, tell [God gave Nathan a message to deliver to David] my servant [although David was king surrounded by many who served him, he also was a servant of God] David, `This is what the LORD Almighty [El Shaddai, a name that emphasizes God’s mighty power; cf. Gen. 17:1 re: use of “God Almighty”] says: I [a reminder that God caused everything good in David’s life to happen] took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.

7:9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies [recent enemies were the Jebusites (2 Sam. 5:6-7) and the Philistines (2 Sam. 5:25)] from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

7:10 And I will provide a place [the promised land] for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people [such as the Egyptians] will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning

7:11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies [cf. 7:1]. “‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house [a family dynasty of national leadership] for you [indicates that although God rejected David’s offer to build a physical structure for Him, God did not reject David]:

7:12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers [refers to David’s death], I will [these words stress the Lord’s role in building David’s house] raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

7:13 He is the one [emphasize God’s sovereign choice of David’s descendant] who will build a house [no earthly structure can contain God (cf. 1 Kings 8:27)] for my Name [the temple would serve as a reminder of God’s presence among His people], and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever [God sent Jesus (a legal descendant of David as per Matt. 1:6-17; Lk. 3:23-31) to create an eternal kingdom].

7:14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he [Solomon (and his descendants)] does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.

7:15 But my love [Heb. “hesed”; mercy; lovingkindness; God’s faithful, loving commitment] will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul [cf. 1 Sam. 13:13-14], whom I removed from before you.

7:16 Your house [Heb. “bayit”; can refer to a building, a household, a family, or a dynasty; in this context refers to a dynasty from which Israel’s kings would come] and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'”

2 Samuel 7:18
7:18 Then King David went in [to the tent where the ark of God was housed] and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I [words stress David’s feelings of unworthiness of the good favor shown to him by God], O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far [refers to God’s work in David’s life up to this point]?

2 Samuel 7:21
7:21 For the sake of [emphasizes that God was acting for His ultimate glory] your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing [emphasizes what God had already done in David’s life and what He had just promised to do] and made it known to your servant.

2 Samuel 7:25-27
7:25 “And now, LORD God, keep [cause to stand] forever the promise [literally means “word”] you have made concerning your servant and his house [indicates that David accepted God’s promise to him]. Do as you promised [literally means “said”],

7:26 so that your name [God’s reputation] will be great forever [acknowledgment that God’s promise was for something greater than David’s personal benefit]. Then men will say [note what David wanted other nations to see…], ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

7:27 “O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant [to David, God’s promise was as good as accomplished], saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage [literally means “found his heart”] to offer you this prayer.