II Samuel 7
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
When the king sat in his house - That is, when he became resident in the palace which Hiram, king of Tyre, had built for him. And the Lord had given him rest - This was after he had defeated the Philistines, and cast them out of all the strong places in Israel which they had possessed after the overthrow of Saul; but before he had carried his arms beyond the land of Israel, against the Moabites, Syrians, and Idumeans. See Sa2 8:1-14.
Open source ↗NATHAN APPROVES THE PURPOSE OF DAVID TO BUILD GOD A HOUSE. (Sa2 7:1-3) the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar--The palace which Hiram had sent men and materials to build in Jerusalem had been finished. It was magnificent for that age, though made wholly of wood: houses in warm countries not being required to possess the solidity and thickness of walls which are requisite for dwellings in regions exposed to rain and cold. Cedar was the rarest and most valuable timber. The elegance and splendor of his own royal mansion, contrasted with the mean and temporary tabernacle in which the ark of God was placed, distressed the pious mind of David.
Open source ↗And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house,.... Which Hiram's servants had built for him, having no occasion to go out to war: and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies; both at home and abroad; though this rest and peace did not last long; for the next chapter gives an account of each of the people he was engaged in war with, Sa2 8:1.
Open source ↗Sa2 7:1-3 When David was dwelling in his house, i.e., the palace of cedar (Sa2 5:11), and Jehovah had given him rest from all his enemies round about, he said to Nathan the prophet: "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, and the ark of God dwelleth within the curtains." היריעה in the singular is used, In Exo 26:2., to denote the inner covering, composed of a number of lengths of tapestry sewn together, which was spread over the planks of the tabernacle, and made it into a dwelling, whereas the separate pieces of tapestry are called יריעת in the plural; and hence, in the later writers, יריעות alternates sometimes with אהל (Isa 54:2), and at other times with אהלים (Sol 1:5; Jer 4:20; Jer 49:29). Consequently היריעה refers here to the tent-cloth or tent formed of pieces of tapestry. "Within (i.e., surrounded by) the tent-cloth:" in the Chronicles we find "under curtains." From the words "when the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies round about," it is evident that David did not form the resolution to build the temple in the first years of his reign upon Zion, nor immediately after the completion of his palace, but at a later period (see the remarks on Sa2 5:11, note). It is true that the giving of rest from all his enemies round about does not definitely presuppose the termination of all the greater wars of David, since it is not affirmed that this rest was a definitive one; but the words cannot possibly be restricted to the two victories over the Philistines (Sa2 5:17-25), as Hengstenberg supposes, inasmuch as, however important the second may have been, their foes were not even permanently quieted by them, to say nothing of their being entirely subdued. Moreover, in the promise mentioned in Sa2 7:9, God distinctly says, "I was with thee whithersoever thou wentes…
Open source ↗Here is, I. David at rest. He sat in his house (Sa2 7:1), quiet and undisturbed, having no occasion to take the field: The Lord had given him rest round about, from all those that were enemies to his settlement in the throne, and he set himself to enjoy that rest. Though he was a man of war, he was for peace (Psa 120:7) and did not delight in war. He had not been long at rest, nor was it long before he was again engaged in war; but at present he enjoyed a calm, and he was in his element when he was sitting in his house, meditating in the law of God. II. David's thought of building a temple for the honour of God. He had built a palace for himself and a city for his servants; and now he thinks of building a habitation for the ark. 1. Thus he would make a grateful return for the honours God put upon him. Note, When God, in his providence, has remarkably done much for us, it should put us upon contriving what we may do for him and his glory. What shall I render unto the Lord? 2. Thus he would improve the present calm, and make a good use of the rest God had given him. Now that he was not called out to serve God and Israel in the high places of the field, he would employ his thoughts, and time, and estate, in serving him another way, and not indulge himself in ease, much less in luxury. When God, in his providence, gives us rest, and finds us little to do of worldly business, we must do so much the more for God and our souls. How different were the thoughts of David when he sat in his palace from Nebuchadnezzar's when he walked in his! Dan 4:29, Dan 4:30. That proud man thought of nothing but the might of his own power, and the honour of his own majesty; this humble soul is full of contrivance how to glorify God, and give honour to him. And how God resisteth the proud, and g…
Open source ↗7:1-29 David was not satisfied merely building a tent for the Ark (6:17). He wanted to build a house for God. 7:1-2 If God had only a tent while David had a palace, it might create the impression that David was the real king rather than God. Thus, David intended to build a temple for God. 7:1 from all . . . enemies: See Deut 12:9-10; 1 Kgs 5:4; 8:56. David’s rest was temporary because shortly he was at war again (see 2 Sam 8:1-18).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous)
Open source ↗נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) נָוֶה (nâveh, H5116) — (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home,… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively,… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָוָה (ʻâvâh, H5753) — to crook, literally or figuratively יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) נֶגַע (negaʻ, H5061) — a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest.
But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.
I love You, O LORD, my strength.
A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, when Joshua was old and well along in years,
And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.