2 Samuel 7:4-17
4 But in the same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Should you build Me a house for My dwelling?
6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; rather, I have been moving about in a tent, that is, in a dwelling place.
7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’
8 Now then, this is what you shall say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “I Myself took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel.
9 And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have eliminated all your enemies from you; I will also make a great name for you, like the names of the great men who are on the earth.
10 And I will establish a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will malicious people oppress them anymore as previously,
11 even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you.
12 When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind,
15 but My favor shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you.
16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
17 In accordance with all these words and all of this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
Davidic Covenant (2)
Parallel passage (1 Chron. 17:7-14)
Let us continue to further study the Davidic Covenant. A parallel passage to 2 Samuel 7:4-17 can be found in 1 Chronicles 17:7-14. (1) The account in 2 Samuel chapter 7 focuses specifically on Solomon, the direct son of David. Solomon would become David’s successor and build a house (the temple) for the Lord. (2) In contrast, the account in 1 Chronicles chapter 17 focuses on the Messiah, Jesus. Verse 11 states: “Then I will set up one of your descendants after you, who will be from your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.” The phrase “from your sons” refers to a prophecy that the Messiah would come from among David’s descendants. In fact, the Messiah did not come from Solomon’s line physically, but from the line of another son, Nathan (ref. the genealogy in Luke 3:31). (3) In 2 Samuel 7, it says, “When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind.” This was prophesied because Solomon had the possibility of sinning. (4) In contrast, this statement is omitted in 1 Chronicles 17. That is because it would be impossible for the Messiah, Jesus, to commit sin.
The content of the covenant
In 2 Samuel chapter 7, three things are promised to continue forever: (1) the house (dynasty) of David, (2) the kingdom of David, and (3) the throne of David. In contrast, 1 Chronicles chapter 17 records four things promised to continue forever. The first three are the same as those in 2 Samuel chapter 7: (1) the house of David, (2) the kingdom of David, and (3) the throne of David. The fourth promise is that the Messiah will be established forever (v 14). Everything in this world changes and will eventually pass away. If we place our trust in such things, the time will surely come when we are disappointed. But God’s promises never change. Jesus Christ, in whom we place our trust, has been established forever as the Messiah and as King. Let us remember the blessing of being those who believe in the Lord Jesus and renew our resolve to walk faithfully with Him.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I thank You for inviting me into the blessing of eternity. I have been given a home to return to. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.