71 Now it came about when the king lived in his house , and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies , 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet , "See now , I dwell in a house of cedar , but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains ." 3 Nathan said to the king , " Go , do all that is in your mind , for the Lord is with you."
4 But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan , saying , 5 "Go and say to My servant David , 'Thus says the Lord , " Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? 6 "For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt , even to this day ; but I have been moving about in a tent , even in a tabernacle . 7 " Wherever e I have gone with all the sons of Israel , did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel , which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel , saying , 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar ?' "' 8 "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David , 'Thus says the Lord of hosts , " I took you from the pasture , from following the sheep , to be ruler over My people Israel . 9 " I have been with you wherever e you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name , like the names of the great men who are on the earth . 10 "I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again , nor will the wicked e afflict them any more as formerly , 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel ; and I will give you rest from all your enemies . The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:1-11
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:1-3
(Read 2 Samuel 7:1-3)
David being at rest in his palace, considered how he might best employ his leisure and prosperity in the service of God. He formed a design to build a temple for the ark. Nathan here did not speak as a prophet, but as a godly man, encouraging David by his private judgment. We ought to do all we can to encourage and promote the good purposes and designs of others, and, as we have opportunity, to forward a good work.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:4-17
(Read 2 Samuel 7:4-17)
Blessings are promised to the family and posterity of David. These promises relate to Solomon, David's immediate successor, and the royal line of Judah. But they also relate to Christ, who is often called David and the Son of David. To him God gave all power in heaven and earth, with authority to execute judgment. He was to build the gospel temple, a house for God's name; the spiritual temple of true believers, to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. The establishing of his house, his throne, and his kingdom for ever, can be applied to no other than to Christ and his kingdom: David's house and kingdom long since came to an end. The committing iniquity cannot be applied to the Messiah himself, but to his spiritual seed; true believers have infirmities, for which they must expect to be corrected, though they are not cast off.