2 Samuel 7:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.

NIV: But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

NASB: but My favor shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you.

CSB: But my faithful love will never leave him as it did when I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

NLT: But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight.

KJV: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

NKJV: But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

God's promise to David can only be explained as God's will. God is guaranteeing David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:9–14). Saul, the previous king, egregiously disobeyed God twice, and God took the kingdom away from him (1 Samuel 13; 15). Even though David is a man after God's own heart and never commits idolatry against Him, the same can't be said for his descendants—starting with Solomon who will worship Ashtoreth and Milcom and build high places for Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11:1–11).

It doesn't stop there. In fact, very few kings from David's line don't worship pagan gods. Fewer still destroy the high places and altars others set up. Solomon, it appears, sacrifices his child; Manasseh and Ahaz definitely do so (2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chronicles 28:1–4).

And yet, God will split the nation rather than take Solomon's son off the throne (1 Kings 12). He'll break unity rather than keep a man from outside David's line to sit on the throne of His people in Jerusalem.

God's promise to David is defined as an "unconditional covenant." It doesn't matter what David or anyone else does; God will do what He promises. But it's also a dual-fulfillment prophecy. David's throne is empty from the Babylonian captivity until now. David's crown can't be worn by a line of his descendants for eternity. But it will be worn for eternity by one of his descendants: Jesus.

It was Jesus who suffered the rods and whips to learn perfect obedience to God (2 Samuel 7:14; Matthew 26:67; 27:30; John 19:1; Hebrews 5:7–8). It is Jesus who is alive again because of God's steadfast love (Acts 2:2–28). And it is Jesus who will give Israel lasting rest (2 Samuel 7:11; Hebrews 4).

David is overwhelmed by God's promise of a reputation, a dynasty, and a son who will sit on the throne (2 Samuel 7:18–29). He doesn't yet know the real blessing: to be the ancestor of God's own Son, the Messiah, who will sacrifice Himself to cover the sins of the world. That promise makes Mary's Psalm the fulfillment of all of David's (Luke 1:46–55).

Second Samuel 7:8–17 records God's counteroffer. David wants to build God a house: a temple for the ark of the covenant to dwell permanently. God doesn't want him to (2 Samuel 7:1–7). Instead, God will build David a "house." Not a palace, but an everlasting dynasty. It will start with Solomon and continue through David's descendants who will rule the southern kingdom of Judah. But it will be fulfilled when Jesus returns and rules from Jerusalem (Luke 1:32). The Davidic Covenant is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 17:7–15.

In 2 Samuel 7, David wants to build a temple for the ark of the covenant. He's convicted that he has a big house, so the ark doesn't belong in a tent (2 Samuel 5:11–12; 6:17). God declines David's request. Rather, God will build David a "house": a dynasty. David's son will be king—and that sone will build the temple. David's throne will be established forever. David responds with a humble prayer of gratitude and praise, asking God to do all He has promised for David and for Israel. God will, through Jesus (Revelation 22:16). First Chronicles 17 records the same events.

In 2 Samuel 7, David learns he can't out-give God. God has made him king and given him a mansion and a family (2 Samuel 5:3, 11–15). He's allowed David to bring the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–15). Now, David wants to build the ark a proper temple. Instead, God says David's son will build the temple, and God will build David a lasting dynasty. Solomon does build the temple (1 Kings 5), and Jesus will fulfill David's dynasty (Luke 1:32).