2 Samuel 7 Explained – A 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 7 Short Summary

In 2 Samuel 7, David wants to build God a house (a temple) but God sends the prophet Nathan to David to tell him He had other plans. Rather than David building God a house, God was going to build David a “house,” make his descendants kings in Judah and establish his throne forever.

2 Samuel 7 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – David was the 2nd king over all Israel and Judah.

• Nathan – A prophet of God who had several interactions with David.

WHERE:

• David’s house was in Jerusalem.

• The Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6.

OUTLINE:

• GOD PROMISES TO BUILD DAVID A HOUSE AND BLESS HIS DESCENDANTS (7:1-17):

  • David felt bad that God’s Ark of the Covenant was kept in a tent, but he had a splendid house of cedar.

  • He suggested to Nathan the prophet that something needed to be done to remedy this problem.

  • That night, God spoke to Nathan and gave him a message for David.

  • God did not need a physical house for Himself. Not once, in all the time Israel had lived in the Promised Land, had He commanded one to be built.

  • Rather than David building God a house, God promised to build David a “house.”

  • In fact, God was already in the process of doing it. He reminded David how he took him from pasture of his father and elevated him to be king in Israel.

  • God promised to bless the nation of Israel and “plant” them securely in their homeland, safe from the oppression of violent nations.

  • These promises were to extend past the lifetime of David. God would continue to bless David’s “house” and his children would sit on his throne.

  • God promised David that he would have a son who would build a house for the Lord.

  • “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

  • Nathan told David all the words of the Lord.

• DAVID’S GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS PROMISES (7:18-29):

  • David’s prayer of thanksgiving to God is recorded in the second half of the chapter.

  • David was amazed that God chose him, a man of humble beginnings, to receive such a great blessing.

  • He praised God, saying, “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.

  • He thanked God for making Israel special among the nations and showing His greatness by saving them from Egypt and their enemies.

  • David welcomed God’s promises over his life. He was excited that God was going to use his house/family for the glory of His name. 

APPLICATION:

• Often, our vision of what we hope to accomplish in God’s kingdom is different from the plans God has for us.

• David probably thought the most meaningful and lasting thing He could do for the Lord was to build Him a house, some kind of physical structure.

• But God had a more important role for David to play. God had plans to establish David’s family, and ultimately to bring about the savior of the world, the Messiah, through David’s descendants.

• We need to remain open to the possibility that our vision for our lives may not match God’s vision.

• If we are determined only to serve God in the ways we’ve envisioned, we may miss out on a greater purpose God could have used us for.

• God knows best what His kingdom needs at any given time, give the direction of your life over to Him and remain open to His leading. You may find yourself a part of something bigger than you could have ever imagined.