November 7 | 2 Samuel 7:1-17

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Nov 7
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

The Davidic Covenant

By Terry Gustafson

If I were to ask you to name your list of the 5-10 most significant / impactful chapters in the Bible, I suspect each of you would have a different list. Perhaps you might include one or more of the following chapters: Genesis 12, Exodus 20, Isaiah 53, Matthew 5, John 1, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 13, or Revelation 21. Regardless of which ones you might choose, I really doubt that 2 Samuel 7 would be on anyone’s short list.

Yet, as I have studied these verses, I would now add this chapter to my list. John Woodhouse says, “There are few [chapters] in the … Bible more important and [more] exciting than 2 Samuel [chapter] 7.” And Alistair Begg puts it even more strongly: “[T]his chapter, 2 Samuel 7, opens the door to the meaning of everything—not just the meaning of everything that is in the Bible but the meaning of everything in the entire panoramic history of the world.” I can only give you the briefest introduction to these important verses and I am heavily indebted to a variety of Biblical scholars for their insight.

David’s Proposal (7:1-3)

The chapter begins with Israel in a time of relative rest. David has a fine house (2 Samuel 5:11). The ark of God has been brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12). And David, a man of action, seems to have time on his hands and says to Nathan the prophet that it doesn’t seem right that the king should live in a fine house while the ark of God dwells in a tent, suggesting that maybe he should build a fine house for the ark. Nathan’s response seems to imply that he finds David’s proposal acceptable.

God’s Perspective (7:4-7)

But that same night God resets Nathan’s perspective. The Lord comes to Nathan with a message for David. David needs to be reminded that God does not dwell in a physical building. Consider Solomon’s words at the dedication of the spectacular temple he built after David died: “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27) And Paul, in his speech to the Athenians, also affirms this fact: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” (Acts 17:24) Our heavenly Father is not constrained by our vision of who He is and David needed to be reminded of that.

God’s Promise (7:8-17)

David proposed a dwelling, but God promised David a dynasty. After reorienting David’s perspective, the Lord, through Nathan, promises David that his throne will be established forever (v. 16). Did you ever wonder why Matthew and Luke include a genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1 and Luke 3)? Because of God’s promise to David, the Jewish community was faithful, at least in part, in keeping track of the line of David, even up to the beginning of the middle ages. (cf. 1 Chronicles 2 and 3) Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and Matthew and Luke were affirming that Jesus was from the house of David and rightful heir to his throne.

I encourage you to pursue your own in-depth study of this important chapter. But this we know: Jesus, our King, sits on David’s throne and rules forever in fulfillment of God’s promise to David. Praise God!

PRAYER

Repeat the following breath prayer throughout the day:

(Breathe in) King Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man

(Breathe out) May I bow before Your throne and worship You alone

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TERRY GUSTAFSON

My wife, Mary, and I have been attending UALC for about 12 years. We have two grown daughters and one grandchild. I am a retired professor of chemistry at Ohio State, where I served many years as the faculty advisor to the IVCF graduate student chapter and as a member of the Faculty Christian Fellowship. I currently have the privilege of serving on the UALC Council.