Bible Studies
God Will Establish a Kingdom - God Will Build a House (2 Sam. 7:11d-13, 16)
Series: Studies in Second SamuelIntroduction:
1. Second Samuel 7 is one of the most crucial texts of all the Old Testament. 2. It is God’s promise or covenant to David that He will establish the throne of David’s kingdom forever. 3. You may recall Samuel’s statement to king Saul at Gilgal. The Philistines were camped against Saul and instead of waiting for Samuel to offer the burnt offering Saul proceeded to do it himself. Samuel said, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you” (1 Sam. 13:13-14). 4. This was just one instance in which Saul acted in rebellion. Indeed such rebellion against God characterized his leadership. 5. Michal, Saul’s daughter despised David when he showed respect to the Lord as they moved the Ark of the Covenant. Thus she had no child. The future king would not come through Saul’s line (2 Sam. 6:20-23). 6. Instead, God would establish David’s throne forever. Thus, the Davidic dynasty and the kingdom of God are traced through the rest of biblical history. 7. In this lesson we will trace some of the key O.T. and N.T. texts that flesh out the meaning and significance of God’s covenant with David.Discussion:
I. There are two images that are used in the prophecy in 2 Sam. 7:11d-13, 16.A. That of a house.
1. “The Lord will make a house for you” (v. 11d, 13, 16).
a. David had in mind to make a physical house in which to place the Ark of the Covenant.
b. But the Lord is speaking of making a family (house or household) for David. Verse 12 says, “I will raise up your descendent after you.”
2. Later there will be a physical house—the temple constructed as a house for God.
3. While David is interested in constructing a physical house, God is interested in constructing a spiritual house. David’s building materials were cedar and stone; God’s building materials were people (cf. 1 Kings 6:11-12).
B. That of a kingdom.
1. “I will establish his kingdom” (12). “I will establish the throne of his kingdom” (13).
2. These two concepts, though different images, refer to the same thing. One looks from a governmental perspective the other from a familial perspective.
C. Even as you come into the N.T. these two images are descriptive of the church.
1. It is the family or house of God.
2. It is the kingdom of God.
II. David’s son Solomon is the “descendent” referred to in verse 12.A. The term “descendent” is interesting.
1. The KJV translates “seed.” “I will raise up your seed after you.”
2. The Hebrew term is like the English word “seed.” It can refer to one individual seed or to a whole bag of seed.
B. In 2 Sam. 7 the term refers to Solomon and to all his descendants after him.
1. This is evident from the throne image. “I will establish his throne forever.” He is not saying that Solomon will be king forever, but that his dynasty will be perpetuated forever.
2. It is evident from the house imagery. “I will make a house for you.” One individual does not a house make, but a multi-generational family does.
C. Thus, Solomon is the first of a long line of kings referred to in this passage.
D. This stresses the unconditional nature of the commitment that God made to David (14-15).
1. Solomon and the other kings after him might do evil. God’s promise of a perpetual kingdom for David would continue no matter what. God’s promise was not based on the performance of the kings.
2. Indeed they would be disobedient. God would correct them (14). But his lovingkindness (“hesed”) would not depart from them.
III. God had made an unconditional covenant with David.A. The word “covenant” is not used in 2 Sam. 7.
B. But it is used in 2 Sam. 23:5; Psa. 89:3-4, 28-29, 30-34.
1. David’s last words remind us of God’s rulership and how He raised up David’s house and made an everlasting covenant with him (2 Sam. 23:1, 5).
2. Psa. 89:3-4 references the promise made to David to establish his seed (family) forever and build up his throne (kingdom) to all generations.
3. Psa. 89:20 identifies David as the one God will establish.
4. Psa. 89:35 identifies David’s descendants as enduring forever and his throne as being as perpetual as the sun and moon and the faithful witness in the sky.
5. Note the unconditional nature of the covenant (vs. 30-35).
a. There is correction for violation.
b. But God is still committed to His promise.
C. The rest of the O. T. following 2 Sam. 7 traces the history of the family/kingdom of David.
1. They were not always faithful to the Lord.
2. Because of their disobedience they were taken into captivity.
3. The throne of David was vacant.
4. Even after they returned from captivity the throne of David was vacant.
D. But the N.T. opens with the proclamation of a coming king.
1. The Lucan birth narratives present Jesus as the Son of David.
a. Joseph is from the house of David (1:27; 2:4).
b. Jesus’ genealogy stretches back to David (3:23-38; cf. 3:31).
c. Mary is informed that Jesus is the Messiah, the one to have the throne of David, the house (family) of Jacob, the kingdom without end (1:32-33).
2. In Acts 2 Luke presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise of God to David regarding seating one of his descendants on his throne (Acts 2:30-36). Peter invites people to accept Jesus as King by repentance and baptism.
3. Paul refers to believers as the temple of God and the family of God (by using covenant language.) “We are the temple of God,” he says in 2 Cor. 6:14-18. Then he quotes the God, “I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me.” That is covenant language, familial in nature. In Acts 13 he interprets the family story of Israel with reference to king David and the promises made to Abraham as fulfilled in Jesus (16-26).
4. The opening words of the Book of Hebrews presents the Son as seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High (1:1-3). Family covenant language is used of the Son (v. 5). The kingly image is used in verse 8. Heb. 1:13 quotes Psa. 110:1-3 of the Son.
Conclusion:
1. You can be a part of this great kingdom. 2. It is the theme of the Bible. 3. But, like David, you must submit to God as king. 4. He is gracious, but when you commit iniquity He will correct you, but His lovingkindness is available to you.
