SS Lesson October 22nd, 2006 2nd Samuel 7(8-17)
DAVID (from Holman’s Bible Dictionary)
(day’ vihd) Personal name probably meaning, “favorite” or “beloved.” The first king to unite Israel and Judah and the first to receive the promise of a royal messiah in his line. David was pictured as the ideal king of God’s people. He ruled from about 1005 to 965 B.C.
Selection as King When Saul failed to meet God’s standards for kingship (1 Sam. 15:23,35; 16:1), God sent Samuel to anoint a replacement from among the sons of Jesse, who lived in Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:1). God showed Samuel He had chosen the youngest who still tended sheep for his father (16:11-12). David’s good looks were noteworthy.
In Saul’s Court David’s musical talent, combined with his reputation as a fighter, led one of Saul’s servants to recommend David as the person to play the harp for Saul when the evil spirit from God troubled him (16:18). Saul grew to love David and made him armorbearer for the king (16:21-22).
At a later date the Philistines with the giant Goliath threatened Israel (1 Sam. 17). David returned home to tend his father’s sheep (17:15). Jesse sent David to the battlefield with food for his warrior brothers. At least one brother did not think too highly of him (17:28). Saul tried to persuade David, the youth, from challenging Goliath; but David insisted God would bring victory, which He did.
Saul’s son Jonathan became David’s closest friend (1 Sam. 18:1). David became a permanent part of Saul’s court, not returning home (18:2). Saul gave David a military commission, which he fulfilled beyond expectations, defeating the Philistines and winning the hearts of the people. This stirred Saul’s jealousy (18:8). Moved by the evil spirit from God, Saul tried to kill David with his spear; but God’s presence protected David (18:10-12). David eventually earned the right to marry Michal, Saul’s daughter, without being killed by the Philistines as Saul had hoped (18:17-27). With the help of Michal and Jonathan, David escaped from Saul and made contact with Samuel, the prophet (19:18). Jonathan and David made a vow of eternal friendship, and Jonathan risked his own life to protect David (1 Sam. 20).
Independent Warrior David gathered a band of impoverished and discontented people around him. He established relationships with Moab and other groups and gained favor with the people by defeating the Philistines (1 Sam. 22–23), but all Saul’s efforts to capture him failed. God protected David, and David refused to injure Saul, instead promising not to cut off Saul’s family (24:21-22).
Abigail of Maon intervened with David to prevent him from punishing her foolish husband Nabal. God brought Nabal’s death, and David married Abigail. He also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, but Saul gave Michal, David’s first wife, to another man (1 Sam. 25).
After again refusing to kill Saul, the Lord’s anointed, David attached himself to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. Saul finally quit chasing him. Achish gave Ziklag to David, who established a headquarters there and began destroying Israel’s southern neighbors (1 Sam. 27). Despite the wishes of Achish, the other Philistine leaders would not let David join them in battle against Saul (1 Sam. 29). Returning home, David found the Amalekites had destroyed Ziklag and captured his wives. David followed God’s leading and defeated the celebrating Amalekites, recovering all the spoils of war. These he distributed among his followers and among the peoples of Judah (1 Sam. 30).
King of Judah Hearing of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David avenged the murderer of Saul and sang a lament over the fallen (2 Sam. 1). He moved to Hebron, where the citizens of Judah crowned him king (2 Sam. 2). This led to war with Israel under Saul’s son Ishbosheth. After much intrigue, Ishbosheth’s commanders assassinated him. David did the same to them (2 Sam. 4).
King of Israel The northern tribes then crowned David king at Hebron, uniting all Israel under him. He led the capture of Jerusalem and made it his capital. After defeating the Philistines, David sought to move the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, succeeding on his second attempt (2 Sam. 6). He then began plans to build a temple but learned from Nathan, the prophet, that he would instead build a dynasty with eternal dimensions (2 Sam. 7). His son would build the Temple.
David then organized his administration and subdued other nations who opposed him, finally gaining control of the land God had originally promised the forefathers. He also remembered his promise to Jonathan and cared for his lame son Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9).
A Sinner David was a giant among godly leaders, but he remained human as his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah showed. He spied Bathsheba bathing, desired her, and engineered the death of her faithful warrior husband, after committing adultery with her (2 Sam. 11). Nathan, the prophet, confronted David with his sin, and David confessed his wrongdoing. The newborn child of David and Bathsheba died. David acknowledged his helplessness in the situation, confessing faith that he would go to be with the child one day. Bathsheba conceived again, bearing Solomon (2 Sam. 12:1-25).
Family Intrigue Able to rule the people but not his family, David saw intrigue, sexual sins, and murder rock his own household, resulting in his isolation from and eventual retreat before Absalom. Still, David grieved long and deep when his army killed Absalom (2 Sam. 18:19-33). David’s kingdom was restored, but the hints of division between Judah and Israel remained (2 Sam. 19:40-43). David had to put down a northern revolt (2 Sam. 20). The last act the Books of Samuel report about David is his census of the people, bringing God’s anger but also preparing a place for the Temple to be built (2 Sam. 24). The last chapters of 1 Chronicles describe extensive preparations David made for the building and the worship services of the Temple. David’s final days involved renewed intrigue among his family, as Adonijah sought to inherit his father’s throne, but Nathan and Bathsheba worked to insure Solomon became the next king (1 Kings 1:1;b12:12).
Prophetic Hope David thus passed from the historical scene but left a legacy never to be forgotten. He was the role model for Israelite kings (1 Kings 3:14; 9:14; 11:4,6,33,38; 14:8; 15:3,11; 2 Kings 14:3; 16:2; 22:2). David was the “man of God” (2 Chron. 8:14), and God was “the God of David thy father” (2 Kings 20:5). God’s covenant with David was the deciding factor as God wrestled with David’s disobedient successors on the throne (2 Chron. 21:7). Even as Israel rebuilt the Temple, they followed “the ordinance of David king of Israel (Ezra 3:10).
God’s prophets pointed to a future David who would restore Israel’s fortunes. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isa. 9:7). Jeremiah summed up the surety of the hope in David: “If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne… As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant” (Jer. 33:20-22). For further references, compare Jeremiah 33:15, 17, 25-26; Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11; Zechariah 12:6-10.
In the New Testament The New Testament tells the story of Jesus as the story of the Son of God but also as the story of the Son of David from His birth (Matt. 1:1) until His final coming (Rev. 22:16). At least twelve times the Gospels refer to Him as “Son of David.” David was cited as an example of similar behavior by Jesus (Matt. 12:3); and David called Him, “Lord” (Luke 20:42-44). David thus took his place in the roll call of faith (Heb. 11:32). This was “David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will” (Acts 13:22).
—Holman Bible Dictionary
SHEPHERD A keeper of sheep. The first keeper of sheep in the Bible was Adam’s son Abel (Gen. 4:2). Shepherding was the chief occupation of the Israelites in the early days of the patriarchs: Abraham (Gen. 12:16); Rachel (Gen. 29:9); Jacob (Gen. 30:31-40); Moses (Ex. 3:1).
As cultivation of crops increased, shepherding fell from favor and was assigned to younger sons, hirelings, and slaves (compare David in 1 Sam. 16:11-13). Farmers such as in Egypt even hated shepherds (Gen. 46:34).
The Bible mentions shepherds and shepherding over 200 times. However, the Hebrew word for shepherding is often translated, “feeding.” Shepherds led sheep to pasture and water (Ps. 23) and protected them from wild animals (1 Sam. 17:34-35). Shepherds guarded their flocks at night whether in the open (Luke 2:8) or in sheepfolds (Zeph. 2:6) where they counted the sheep as they entered (Jer. 33:13). They took care of the sheep and even carried weak lambs in their arms (Isa. 40:11).
Shepherd came to designate not only persons who herded sheep but also kings (2 Sam. 5:2) and God Himself (Ps. 23; Isa. 40:11). Later prophets referred to Israel’s leaders as shepherds (Jer. 23; Ezek. 34).
In Bible times the sheep cared for by shepherds represented wealth. They provided food (1 Sam. 14:32), milk to drink (Isa. 7:21-22), wool for clothing (Job 31:20), hides for rough clothing (Matt. 7:15), and leather for tents (Ex. 26:14). Furthermore, sheep were major offerings in the sacrificial system (Ex. 20:24). They were offered as burnt offerings (Lev. 1:10), sin offerings (Lev. 4:32), guilt offerings (Lev. 5:15), and peace offerings (Lev. 22:21).
The New Testament mentions shepherds 16 times. They were among the first to visit Jesus at His birth (Luke 2:8-20). Some New Testament references used a shepherd and the sheep to illustrate Christ’s relationship to His followers who referred to Him as “our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep” (Heb. 13:20). Jesus spoke of Himself as “the good shepherd” who knew His sheep and would lay down His life for them (John 10:7-18). Jesus commissioned Peter to feed His sheep (John 21). Paul likened the church and its leaders to a flock with shepherds (Acts 20:28). The Latin word transliterated “pastor” means shepherd.
—Holman Bible Dictionary
NATHAN (from Holman’s Bible Dicitonary)
(nay’ thuhn) Personal name meaning, “gift.” 1. Prophet in royal court during reign of David and early years of Solomon. David consulted Nathan about building a Temple. Nathan responded favorably. That night the Lord spoke to Nathan with instructions for David that his successor would build the Temple. Nathan included the words of the Lord that David would have a house, a great name, and a kingdom forever. David responded with gratitude to the Lord (2 Sam. 7; 1 Chron. 17).
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, slain in battle. The Lord was displeased and sent Nathan to rebuke the king. The prophet told a story in which a rich man took the only little ewe lamb that belonged to a poor man and prepared a meal for one of his guests. David said the rich man should die. Nathan responded, “Thou art the man.” David repented, but his first child born to Bathsheba died (2 Sam. 11–12).
Adonijah tried unsuccessfully to become king in the closing days of David’s life. Nathan, along with Zadok, the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men, opposed Adonijah. Bathsheba and Nathan spoke to David about an earlier decision to appoint Solomon as the next king. David declared Solomon to be king (1 Kings 1:5-53).
Later references indicate that Nathan wrote the chronicles for David (1 Chron. 29:29) and a history of Solomon (2 Chron. 9:29). Nathan advised David in arranging the musical instruments played by the Levites (2 Chron. 29:25). See Books; David; Prophets. See David; Solomon; Bathsheba.
—Holman Bible Dictionary
2nd Samuel 7:8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
Promotion
Our lesson today concerns God’s promise to King David and to David’s descendants. The chapter begins with David expressing his desire to build a permanent house of worship for Jehovah God. The Tabernacle was a portable structure in which the Holy Place and Holies of Holies were contained, but now that the people of Israel had established a homeland and would no longer be moving around it seemed natural that the House of God be made a permanent structure. David’s desire was commendable and the Prophet Nathan immediately signed on instructing David to “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.” But Nathan had spoken too hastily. It was not in God’s plan for David to build the Temple, but for Solomon his son was this mission planned. I wanted to point out from this verse how God can take those whom people think are worthless and accomplish great things through them. David was the last of 8 sons of a man by the name of Jesse who was of no particular distinction as far as we can tell. His job was to watch his father’s sheep which was the occupation of the lowest sons of middle class people and of slaves of rich men. It was from this low place in life God picked and trained the young man who was to become the King of which all other Kings in Israel would be measured. David had a heart for God and for Spiritual things. He no doubt spent a great deal of time alone with those sheep in which he could contemplate the things of God and compose some of those great Psalms which still lift hearts some 3000 years later. The word translated “sheepcote” means the habitation or dwelling place of sheep. God had taken him from the fields of shepherding to the heights of temporal power. The wonderful thing about David is that he understood that it was God who had done this and that he had not done it in his own power. Because of his humility and love of God David was called a “man after God’s own heart.”
7:9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
With us
God assured David that He had been with him all along. I believe the same is true for us today. Listen to this verse: Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Did you realize Jesus is with us always? When we are in the lowest valley; He is there! When we feel the whole world has turned against us; He is there! When there seems no way out; He is there! When it seems we can’t go on; He is there! What a privilege it is to know God is with us. His presence will guide and protect us. His love will reassure us. His Word will teach us. His Children will comfort and assist us!
7:10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
A land of their own
The people of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after God delivered them from Egypt. They had suffered danger and domination by their enemies throughout the period of the Judges. They had neither certain home nor land. Now God was going to change all of that. Through David God would establish His people in their own land. They would be masters of their own domain. They could’ve established this land as theirs forever if they had only obeyed God, but we will find out that didn’t happen. They were expelled from the land by the Babylonians around 586 BC and then again by the Romans in 70 AD. They now lay claim to a small portion of the land which God granted unto them and they must cling to it by their very lives. Sin has consequences and those consequences can be long unfolding and most costly!
7:11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
You can’t outdo God
Isn’t it just like our God? David desired to build God a house and God admired his heart. God wouldn’t allow David to build the house as he was a man who had shed much blood. God saw David’s desire and revealed that this would go the opposite of what David expected. David wanted to do the house building, but God revealed it was He who would be building David’s house. By house God means his Kingdom which would be ruled by his descendants. All of this goes to show you; you can’t out give God. No matter what you do for Him, He will do more for you. Listen to this great verse of Scripture and take a moment to rejoice: Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
I will establish his kingdom
Some think these promises are about Solomon. I think some can be partially concerning him, but I believe this prophesy is primarily a prophesy of the Messiah who would come from the lineage fo David. When God speaks of David’s house He is speaking of the lineage of Kings which will proceed from David’s family. The ultimate fulfillment of this Kingdom is the Kingdom of Christ. Listen to the angelic announcement at the birth of Christ: Luke 1:32 “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:” It is Christ who is the ultimate King of Israel. He is also King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is His kingdom which will be an everlasting Kingdom. It is His kingdom which is still to come. It is His kingdom which Daniel saw as being cut out of the mountain without hands and smashing the kingdoms of this world into smithereens. Daniel 2:44-45 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.”
7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
Solomon and Christ
Although some think this is speaking about Solomon, I think it only partially speaks of him, but more importantly looks beyond Solomon and unto Jesus. God allowed Solomon to build the earthly temple or “house,” but it was Christ who would build God’s Spiritual house which would be forever. Solomon’s kingdom did not last forever as the Babylonians destroyed the nation and removed the descendants of Solomon from the throne. Jesus, by being a son of David, re-established the Kingdom when He appeared as the Son of David and the Son of God. He was crowned with a crown of thorns upon His first advent, but He is coming again and will sit upon the throne of His father David and will rule this world with a rod of iron. He will be crowned with an incorruptible crown given to Him by His Heavenly Father. That Kingdom which is coming will never end, but will continue throughout eternity in that New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven!
7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 7:15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Solomon or David?
Was God speaking about Solomon or David? There is some controversy here, but I think it is explainable, and when understood, I think it is wonderful. I don’t think God was speaking about Solomon, but about Jesus. I know some will say it can’t be as Jesus did never commit iniquity. The word “commit” is not in the Hebrew writing of this Scripture. It is added by the King James translators to help with clarity, but some expositors say that this phrase could mean “when iniquity is placed upon Him.” Consider this explanation from the J. Vernon McGhee Thru the Bible Commentary: “The last part of verse 14 is a very strange statement. ”If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men." Bishop Horsley gives an interesting translation of this: "When guilt is laid upon him, I will chasten him with the rod of men." That is exactly what God is saying now. God says, "When guilt is laid upon Him, I am going to be His Father, and He will be My Son." That is the unique relationship between God the Father and God the Son. But "if he commit iniquity," that is, when iniquity is laid upon Him -- when your sin and my sin were put upon Him -- it is with His stripes that we are healed. He died on the Cross for you and me. He was delivered for our offenses. That is the reason He died on the Cross. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1Pet. 2:24) -- healed from sin. Isaiah the prophet says concerning Christ, "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief . . ." (Isa. 53:10). The One coming in David's line would bear the sins of the world. Isaiah continues to speak of the Lord Jesus when he says, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:4-6). "With his stripes we are healed." Healed of what? We are healed of sin. Sin is the awful disease that afflicts mankind, my beloved. That is why God says, "I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men."
—J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible
The Living Bible (to be used as a commentary only)
8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, 11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
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