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God Makes a Covenant with David

INTRODUCTION: This amazing chapter begins with David sitting in his house of cedar at rest from all his enemies. As he contemplates the dwelling place of the ark of God, he determines to build a house for the Lord. God, however, puts a halt to David’s plans. But, as a concession, He promises David that his house (royal line) will never be obliterated but will continue forever.

What a wonderful Lord! David wants to build Him a house; but instead, God promises to make David a house that will last forever. This entire passage shows the goodness of God to those who serve Him. We want to do something for God. God determines to do much more for us.

  1. DAVID DESIRES TO BUILD GOD A HOUSE (2 Samuel 7:1-3)
    1. David Has Rest from All His Enemies (2 Samuel 7:1).
      1. David receives this rest from the Lord.
      2. David sits down in his house.
      3. NOTE: There are three houses in this chapter. Most new versions change the word for at least one of them and, therefore, remove the comparison.
        1. Davids house of cedar (2 Samuel 7:2)
        2. The house of the Lord (2 Samuel 7:5)
        3. The royal house of David (2 Samuel 7:11, 16, 25)
    2. David Tells Nathan of His Desire (2 Samuel 7:2).
      1. David dwells in a house of cedar.
      2. The ark dwells in a house of curtains (see Exodus 26:1-3).
    3. Nathan Encourages David in His Desire (2 Samuel 7:3).
      1. Do all that is in thine heart.
      2. The Lord is with thee (2 Samuel 5:10).
      3. NOTE: Evidently, even good prophets had to have a special revelation from God and were not right in all their opinions. Here, Nathan used human judgment: the Lord was with David; David wanted to do a good thing; therefore, David should do whatever he desired to do. However, God had other plans for David.
  2. DAVID TOLD NOT TO BUILD THE HOUSE (2 Samuel 7:4-11)
    1. God Has No Need of a House (2 Samuel 7:4-7).
      1. God reveals His will to Nathan (2 Samuel 7:4).
      2. David not the man to build a house (2 Samuel 7:5; see 1 Chronicles 28:3-6)
      3. God always had a tent or tabernacle (2 Samuel 7:6; 1 Chronicles 15:1).
      4. God had never asked for a house (2 Samuel 7:7).
    2. David Not Chosen to Build the House (2 Samuel 7:8-11)
      1. Taken from shepherd to ruler of Israel (2 Samuel 7:8)
      2. Given victory over all his enemies (2 Samuel 7:9)
      3. The time to build the house will come later (2 Samuel 7:10-11a).
      4. For now, God will build David a house (2 Samuel 7:11b).
  3. GOD PROMISES TO MAKE DAVID A HOUSE (2 Samuel 7:12-17)
    1. God Promises to Continue Davids Line (2 Samuel 7:12-15).
      1. To set up a seed after David (2 Samuel 7:12)
      2. To establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:13)
      3. To deal with him as a father with his son (2 Samuel 7:14)
      4. To never take Gods mercy from him (2 Samuel 7:15)
    2. God Makes a Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:16-17).
      1. To establish Davids house (2 Samuel 7:16)
      2. To establish Davids kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16)
      3. To establish Davids throne (2 Samuel 7:16)
      4. To fulfill the words of God (2 Samuel 7:17)
  4. DAVID GLORIES IN THE HOUSE GOD PROMISES (2 Samuel 7:18-24)
    1. Davids Humility (2 Samuel 7:18)
      1. Who am I?
      2. What is my house?
    2. Davids Awe (2 Samuel 7:19)
      1. A small thing in Gods sight
      2. Concerning a great while to come
      3. Not spoken after the manner of men
    3. Davids Silence (2 Samuel 7:20)
      1. What more can be said?
      2. This was done despite Gods full knowledge of His servant.
    4. Davids Faith (2 Samuel 7:21)
      1. According to Gods word
      2. According to Gods heart
      3. According to Gods work
      4. To reveal God to His servant
    5. Davids Praise (2 Samuel 7:22)
      1. The greatness of God
      2. The uniqueness of God
        1. None like thee
        2. None beside thee
      3. The faithfulness of God according to all that we have heard
    6. Davids Thanksgiving (2 Samuel 7:23)
      1. For taking Israel as His people
      2. For redeeming Israel from Egypt
      3. For making Him a name through Israel
    7. Davids Confidence (2 Samuel 7:24)
      1. In Gods faithfulness to Israel
      2. In Gods faithfulness to His own character
  5. DAVID CONFIRMS HIS DESIRE TO RECEIVE THIS HOUSE (2 Samuel 7:25-29)
    1. Establish Your Word Forever (2 Samuel 7:25).
    2. Let Your Name Be Magnified (2 Samuel 7:26).
    3. Let This Prayer Be Answered (2 Samuel 7:27).
    4. Let Your Promise Be Fulfilled (2 Samuel 7:28).
    5. Let Your Pleasure Be Done (2 Samuel 7:29).

CONCLUSION: David will not be able to do what he desired to do for the Lord, but the Lord will do for David more than he could have ever desired.