2 Samuel 7-10
Davidic Covenant &
David and God Get Houses
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Psalm 46:8-11 Chill and Be Still
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on 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 with 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 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
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?
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 5 The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
Application
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
David Plans a Temple
1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”God's Covenant with David
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, 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 to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.David's Prayer of Thanksgiving
18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? 24 And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God. 25 And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. 26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”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
David's Triumphs
1 After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze. 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. 11 These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.David's Officers
15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity 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 secretary, 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David's sons were priests.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
David and Mephibosheth
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat 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 will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.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
David's Messengers Disgraced
1 After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not 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 half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.” 6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men. 8 And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle 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 open country.David Defeats Ammon and Syria
9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 10 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem. 15 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him. 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there. 19 And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.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
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