2 Samuel 7-10
Davidic Covenant &
David and God Get Houses

Psalm 46:8-11 Chill and Be Still

8.Come, see Yahweh’s works, what astonishments he has made in the earth.9.He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.10."Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."11.Yahweh of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

Observation

46:8-11.

Despite the rantings and ravings of nations, God is in control. He only has to utter a word and the earth melts (2 Peter 3:5,10,12). He will establish world-wide peace, and cause His name to be exalted among all nations. Knowing what God will do, should give us confidence to trust in His sovereignty as we await the fulfillment of His plans. In the meantime, knowing that He is with us (because we are with Him), and that He is our refuge (because we trust in Him), we can calmly face whatever He's permitted.

Application

Next time you're tempted to be overwhelmed by the craziness in our world and the things that impact your life, remember that God can “melt!” and it will all vanish; but until that happens, chill, and take refuge in Him.

Prayer

God, I praise You for being above all that I can see or imagine; I thank You for being my God and refuge, and look forward to the day when all will acknowledge You as You really are. Amen.

Proverbs 13:1-6 Listen and Learn?

1.“A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.2.By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; but the unfaithful crave violence.3.He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.4.The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.5.A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.6.Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.“

Observation

13:1-6.

God is concerned about our enjoyment and tells us how to go about getting it.

Application

Come up with a list of do's and don'ts in the pursuit of satisfaction.

Prayer

God, help me be quick to listen to Truth, careful in my speech, and diligent in my work. Amen.

2Samuel 7-10 Davidic Covenant & David and God Get Houses

These chapters show the consequences of David's obedient trust in the Lord. The next post will consider his disobedience and subsequent decline. There is grounds for debate about whether the content of these chapters is arranged chronologically or topically. 2Sam 7:1 indicates that God had given David rest from all his enemies, yet he's fighting them in chapter 8. Hiram from chapter 6 is thought to have ruled during the end of David's reign. 7:12 seems to indicate that Solomon's birth is in the future, but it could be referring to a future descendent(s) who would fulfill God's promise. In any event God responds to David's faithfulness with blessing. Under Digging Deeper you'll find a little introduction to a couple of theological approaches to understanding the Davidic Covenant.

2 Samuel 7 House Plans

1.It happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,2.that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains."3.Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you."4.It happened the same night, that the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,5."Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh," Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?6.For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.7.In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’"'8.Now therefore you shall tell my servant David this, ‘Thus says Lord of Hosts, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel.9.I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.10.I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,11.and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Lord tells you that the Lord will make you a house.12.When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, 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 his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;15.but my hesed/loyal covenantal love shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.16.Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."’"17.According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.18.Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?19.This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this after the way of men, Lord Yahweh!20.What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord Yahweh.21.For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.22.Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. For there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.23.What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeem to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?24.You established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God.25.Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.26.Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘the Lord of Hosts is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you.’27.For you, the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.28."Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.29.Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing."

Observations

7:1-11.

In the Ancient Near East the real ruler of a land was its god, and the king exercised his authority for him. The temple was the real seat of power. David is enjoying a chat with Nathan in his luxurious cedar paneled family room. He reflects that God dwells in a tent, and purposes to build God a house. God hadn't commanded nor asked for a house, but David, with a heart for God, wanted to do something nice and beautiful for God. Nathan says “Go for it Boss; You're the man God's with.” Nathan should have checked with God first, because God interrupts Nathan's sleep with a message and vision, and Nathan has to go back to David with a correction: “Thanks for the thought, but I'm going to build you a house (as in dynasty).” Sometimes God has different plans than we do.

God does promise: 1) to make David's name great, 2) to give Israel a permanent dwelling place, and 3) rest from their enemies, in addition to building David's dynasty. One could argue that these first three blessings were not totally fulfilled in David's lifetime and await future fulfillment.

7:12-17.

This is the Davidic Covenant (Ps 89:34), an elaboration of the “seed” part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12). The “land” part was elaborated upon in the Book of Deuteronomy, and the “blessing” part will get more specific in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). God raises up leaders to bless His people, as He was doing with David. Jacob (who became Israel) had blessed the twelve sons in Genesis 49, and specified that the scepter would not depart from Judah until the one to whom it belongs (Messiah) would come.

God promises to David that: 1) God would build him a house; 2) a son from his loins would be established and build the temple, in addition to having 3) an everlasting kingdom and 4) everlasting throne/rulership over that kingdom. This begins to be fulfilled through Solomon in future chapters, but doesn't reach its final fulfillment until there is an everlasting kingdom and king, which would have to be the Messiah. God promised to 5) discipline the descendent(s) when necessary, but never permanently remove the kingship as He had from Saul. Like the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, granting the land to Israel, there are no conditions attached to this covenant. See Digging Deeper for differing views on interpreting the application of this covenant.

7:18-29.

David's response is stunned gratitude, with praise to the great God for His work and word, as well as a prayer that His word would be fulfilled as God promised. David thus embraced the promise by faith, just like Abraham. Psalm 89 gives a more poetic and extended version.

Application

We can't out-give God. He is pleased to abundantly bless those who seek His blessing by giving Him our loyal allegiance.

Prayer

God who blesses, thanks for doing great things for Your servants; may my wholehearted service of You be worthy of meriting Your blessing, like David, and unlike Saul. Amen.

2 Samuel 8 Giving and Governing

1.After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.2.He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.3.David struck also Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion/rule at the River.4.David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.5.When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.6.Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.7.David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.8.From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.9.When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,10.Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:11.King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;12.of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.13.David earned a reputation when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.14.He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.15.David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people.16.Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;17.and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;18.and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

Observations

8:1-12.

The text records how God's establishment of David's kingdom flows from His promises. God subdues enemies and has others bless David, making his name great, as promised. The spoil of these wars was dedicated to and used in the construction of the temple. God allowed problems to prosper His people, giving them the power to fight and the plunder as well. God gave to them, so they could give to Him. 1Chronicles 18:8 “From...Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.”

8:13-18.

David was not just a warrior, but an able administrator, consolidating and delegating power. God gave victory wherever David went. David reigned as God intended, using his power to insure justice and righteousness were in the land. When people can't rule themselves, because they lack an ingrained moral code, eternal means are necessary to contain the inherent selfishness of man/women/kid-kind. Note the different aspects of government: army/military; a recorder-historian/record keeper; priests; a scribe who was more for writing external decrees; the two groups mentioned in verse 18 are considered to be valiant Philistines who were loyal to David during his exile, now serving as bodyguard/executioners and messengers/couriers with a military authority, both groups are subsequently mentioned as a sort of royal guard. David's sons were ministers or chief rulers. This is the usual word for “priest,” but originally it meant one who serves. Since David was not a Levite, his sons couldn't occupy a priestly office.

Application

God allows difficulties so we can trust Him to deliver us from them; out of the difficulties He gives blessings, so we can bless Him and others (both materially and spiritually).

Prayer

God, help me view every difficulty not as a source of panic, but as a source of eventual prosperity as I respond correctly to the problem, faithfully trusting and obeying You. Amen.

2 Samuel 9 Unmerited Hesed

1.David said, "Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him hesed/loyal love for Jonathan’s sake?"2.There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Your servant is he."3.The king said, "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the hesed/loyal love of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet."5.Then king David sent, and fetched6.Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "Behold, your servant!"7.David said to him, "Don’t be afraid of him; for I will surely show you hesed/loyal love for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You shall eat bread at my table continually."8.He bowed down, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?"9.Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, "All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master’s son.10.You shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants; and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat: but Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread always at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.11.Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do." So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table, like one of the king’s sons.12.Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.13.So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.

Observation

9:1-13.

David demonstrates hesed/loyal covenantal love to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, mirroring the hesed God has for us. David had called himself a dead dog while entreating Saul in 1Sam 24:14. Mica goes on to continue the line of Jonathan in 1Chron 8:34-35.

9:3 “may show the hesed/loyal love of God to him.” 

As a potential rival, Mephibosheth should have been killed, and as a lame person, excluded from a king's presence. But, David seeks after him to bless him; redeems or brings him back from being outside the realm of blessing; reverses the effects of the fall of the house of Saul; gives him lands, servants, and income; and then treats him as his own son, having him eat always at David's table. This is a great example of grace as unmerited favor, for all Mephibosheth had to do was be born the son of Jonathan. Should Mephibosheth have proven treacherous, another destiny would have awaited him, but he bowed before David, acknowledging himself as David's servant. 

Application

As servants of God, we can expect God to demonstrate hesed to us, as we demonstrate loyal service to Him.

Prayer

Gracious God, thanks for this picture of the loyal love (hesed) You have for me, Your servant; may I always live in Your presence, enjoying the continual feast at Your table, regardless of circumstances. Amen.

2 Samuel 10 Problems Lead to Prosperity

1.It happened after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.2.David said, "I will show hesed/loyal covenantal love to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed hesed/loyal covenantal love to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.3.But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?"4.So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.5.When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."6.When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.7.When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men.8.The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.9.Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:10.The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.11.He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.12.Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and Yahweh do that which seems good to him."13.So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.14.When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.15.When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.16.Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.17.It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.18.The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians seven hundred charioteers, and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there.19.When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

Observations

10:1-5.

David again seeks to bless others in hesed/loyalty to those who had beenhesed/loyal to him. Scripture doesn't record the hesed that Nahash had shown David, but as Saul's first conquest (1Sam 11), he would have been disposed to aid David while he was fleeing from Saul. Listening to fearful, evil counselors causes Hanun to experience David's wrath rather than blessing, as a result of mistreating David's messengers.

10:6-14.

Joab and his brother Abishai devise a wise strategy for the people and cities of God, and trust Yahweh for the outcome. Being strong and courageous as well as trusting in God as Joshua did (Josh 1:9), brings about victory and blessing for Israel, eliminating the Syrian threat.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Application

God brings about blessing and prosperity from potential problems, when His people are strong and courageous in living for His purposes and trusting Him.

Prayer

Mighty God, may I be strong and courageous in trusting You and doing Your will in the face of misunderstood motives and unexpected difficulties. Amen.

Digging Deeper

I'm not a fan of most “theology” because it is frequently man's inaccurate reasonings read into the text, rather than applicable principles derived accurately from what God has revealed and emphasized. However, it is worth pausing here to consider approaches to interpreting the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7). Almost all conservative interpreters of Scripture agree that the promises made to David find fulfillment in the Messiah

 Luke 1:31 behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

• Some say the Messiah hasn't come yet. - Jewish view. The destruction of the Temple in AD 70 makes this view problematic, because after that, there was no kingdom of Israel until AD 1948 when the secular state of Israel was re-established. The peaceful theocratic kingdom, the line of David, and a king ruling on his throne are distant memories.
• Some say that all the promises are fulfilled in Christ's (anointed/Messiah) first advent. - Amillenial view (no millennium - 1000 year future reign of Christ). This view “spiritualizes” the promises, saying they are fulfilled by the Christian church, in a non-literal way. It has the advantage of explaining why the Jewish kingdom ceased after Christ. However, it fails to take into account the rest of the OT information about a future regathering of literal Israel, in the literal land, ruled over literally by the Messiah. It also ignores the NT teaching about a future kingdom, and has no Biblical support for having Christ currently sitting upon David's throne.
• This view would make our current day, and all of history since Christ, His theocratic rule, in which God blesses the world with his rule as promised to Abraham. Anyone with a awareness of history would be uncomfortable with this view as compatible with the peaceful rule He wanted to have in ancient Israel.
• Some say that Christ is the promised descendant who partially fulfills the promises at His first advent, and will completely fulfill them when He returns to set up the millennial kingdom. - Premillennial view (Christ returns before the millennium). This has the advantage of a literal fulfillment, and takes into account all the OT and NT data (e.g., Rom 11; Rev 20). The disadvantage is that we don't currently see the Messiah ruling (Hebrews 2:8-10). During the Babylonian exile Israel wasn't in the land, nor was there a descendent of David on David's throne, yet the promise was still intact. The NT indicates that the kingdom, in the person of Jesus was standing in the midst of the Pharisees who were rejecting Him (Lk 17:21-37). Thus if the kingdom promises and Davidic line are safely and eternally bound up in the person of Jesus, when He returns and rules, all will be completely fulfilled.

For more Biblical information on the future kingdom see pages 40-48 in the Survey and Study Guide to Rewards on Truthbase.net. It's also a good example of how Biblical theology comes out of an accurate exegesis of the Scriptures.

God in a nutshell: God abundantly blesses those who are loyal, faithful and obedient to Him. He fulfills His promises so that He is seen as incomparably great. He allows problems into the lives of His people so He can come to their aid, and bless them when they call out to him with a pure heart. He gives to us, so we can give to Him and others. He raises up individuals, sometimes from the most unlikely places, to guide His people to blessing.

Us in a nutshell: We can be blessed by God beyond our expectations, if we are pleasing to Him. Sometimes our desire to do something for God isn't brought to fruition because God has other and better plans. Sharing His blessing with others often opens the door to greater blessings. If we face difficulties with courage and strength that comes from an awareness of God's purposes, God can bring even greater blessing out of the situation. With appropriate submission, we can reap benefits that far outweigh anything we might have done to deserve them. 

Where to go for more

Truthbase.net
Survey and Study Guide to Rewards