2 Samuel 7: Yahweh's promise to David through Nathan, and David's prayer
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
When David is settled in his house and has rest from his enemies, he tells Nathan the prophet that he lives in a house of cedar while God's ark stays inside curtains, and Nathan tells him to do all that is in his heart. That night the word of Yahweh comes to Nathan: Yahweh asks whether David is the one to build him a house, when he has moved about in a tent since Egypt and never asked for a house of cedar. Yahweh took David from following the sheep, will give Israel a place, and will make David a house: he will raise up David's offspring after him, who will build a house for Yahweh's name, Yahweh will be his father and he will be Yahweh's son, and David's house, kingdom and throne will be made firm forever. Nathan tells David all these words, and David goes in, sits before Yahweh, and prays, asking Yahweh to do as he has spoken and to bless David's house forever.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. God's own words are in 12 of the 29 verses: the word of Yahweh that came to Nathan, in verses 5 to 16 (verse 4 tells that it came). In those verses Yahweh tells Nathan what to say to David, so the message for David is inside Yahweh's own words. Verse 17 says that Nathan then spoke all these words to David; that telling is Nathan's, and the text does not repeat it. David speaks to Nathan in verse 2, and Nathan answers in verse 3 with his own words, before the word of Yahweh came to him. David prays to Yahweh in verses 18 to 29: it is his own prayer, so it is not in gold, and the words of Yahweh he quotes in verse 27 are part of his prayer. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1When the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
In plain English: When the king was living in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God’s ark dwells within curtains.”
In plain English: the king said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar, but God's ark stays inside tent curtains."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you.”
In plain English: Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4That same night, Yahweh’s word came to Nathan, saying,
In plain English: That same night the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Yahweh says, “Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?God speaks
In plain English: "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what Yahweh says: "Will you build me a house for me to live in?
The Hebrew word: "House" is bayith, which the dictionary gives as "a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)". It is in 14 of the 29 verses of this chapter.
What changes: Read as a building, a house is a place to live in, like David's house of cedar (verse 2) and the house for Yahweh that Yahweh asks about (verse 5). Read as a family, a house is a line of children and their children, as when Yahweh says he will make David a house (verse 11) and David's house will last forever (verse 16). The text uses the one word for both: David thinks of a house for Yahweh, and Yahweh says he will make David a house. In verse 13, "He will build a house for my name", the house is again one for Yahweh.
Good to know: Here Yahweh asks a question: "Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?" says it plainly, "You shall not build me a house to dwell in", and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) also has "Thou shalt not build me a house".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.God speaks
In plain English: For I have not lived in a house from the day I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving about in a tent and in a tabernacle (or: a dwelling).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’God speaks
In plain English: In all the places where I have moved about with all the children of Israel, did I ever say a word to any of the tribes (or: rulers) of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'"'
The Hebrew word: "Tribes" is shebet, which the dictionary gives as "a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan". has "any of the judges of Israel" here, and verse 11 speaks of the day Yahweh "commanded judges to be over my people Israel".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8Now therefore tell my servant David this: ‘Yahweh of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.God speaks
In plain English: So now, tell my servant David this: 'This is what Yahweh of Armies says: "I took you from the pasture (this Bible: sheep pen), from following the sheep, to be leader (this Bible: prince) over my people, over Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.God speaks
In plain English: I have been with you wherever you went, and I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will make you a great name (or: I have made you a great name), like the name of the great ones on the earth.
Good to know: The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) reads "I will make you a great name" as something already done: "I made thee renowned". In the text says "David earned a reputation", literally "David made a name".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,God speaks
In plain English: I will appoint a place for my people Israel and plant them, so that they can live in their own place and not be disturbed any more. Wicked men (literally: sons of wickedness) will not oppress them any more, as they did at first,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house.God speaks
In plain English: and as they did from the day I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. And Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house (or: a family line).
Good to know: Here Yahweh speaks of himself by name: "Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house". These are still the words of Yahweh to Nathan, so they are in gold. has "Yahweh will build you a house". The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) reads it another way: "the Lord will tell thee that thou shalt build a house to him".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.God speaks
In plain English: When your days are done and you lie down (this Bible: sleep) with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring (literally: seed) after you, who will come from your own body, and I will make his kingdom firm (this Bible: establish his kingdom).
The Hebrew word: "Offspring" is zera, which the dictionary gives as "seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity". Posterity means children and their children after them.
What changes: Read as one son, the offspring is the son who will come from David's own body and build a house for Yahweh's name (verse 13). Read as David's line, it is all who come after him, whose throne will be made firm forever (verse 16). The text here does not name the son. In and Solomon speaks of himself as the son who would build the house for Yahweh's name.
Church tradition: Many churches teach that this promise also points to Jesus. and say God will give Jesus "the throne of his father David" and that "there will be no end to his Kingdom", and says God swore to David "that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne". The text of this chapter does not name the son.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.God speaks
In plain English: He will build a house for my name, and I will make the throne of his kingdom firm forever.
The Hebrew word: "Forever" is olam, which the dictionary gives as "properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity". This Bible says "forever" in 274 of the 413 verses that use it. In 2 Samuel it is in 10 verses, and 6 of them are in this chapter: verses 13, 16, 24, 25, 26 and 29.
What changes: Read as "forever", the throne will never end. Read with the dictionary's "vanishing point" and "time out of mind", it is a time so long that no end can be seen. The text does not explain more.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men;God speaks
In plain English: I will be his father, and he will be my son. When (or: If) he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with the blows of the children of men;
Good to know: "The rod of men" uses shebet, the word for "tribes" in verse 7: here it is a rod for punishing. quotes the first words of this verse: "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son". In David tells Solomon that Yahweh's word said of him, "he will be my son, and I will be his father". gives this promise without the words about doing wrong and the rod.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.God speaks
In plain English: but my loving kindness will not leave him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away (literally: removed) before you.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”God speaks
In plain English: Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be made firm forever."'"
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17Nathan spoke to David all these words, and according to all this vision.
In plain English: Nathan spoke to David all these words, in keeping with all this vision.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; and he said, “Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?
In plain English: Then King David went in and sat before Yahweh, and he said, "Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house (or: my family), that you have brought me this far?
Good to know: "Lord Yahweh" is Adonai with God's name. The dictionary gives Adonai as "the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)". David calls God by these two words in 6 verses of his prayer: verses 18, 19, 20, 22, 28 and 29. Verses 18 to 29 are David's own prayer, so they are not in gold.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh, but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this among men, Lord Yahweh!
In plain English: And this was still a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh: you have also spoken about your servant's house for a long time to come. And this is the custom (or: the instruction) of mankind, Lord Yahweh! (This Bible: and this among men; see the note.)
The Hebrew words: "This among men" is literally "this is the torah of adam". The dictionary lists this torah apart from torah, "a precept or statute" (this Bible says "law" for that word in 192 of the 213 verses that use it), though the two are written the same in Hebrew, and gives it as "a custom". It is in only this verse of the Bible. Adam is "a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)".
What changes: Read as "this is the custom of mankind", David says that Yahweh has spoken with him in the way people deal with one another. Read as "this is instruction for mankind", David speaks of Yahweh's word about his house as teaching for all people. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) makes it a question: "And is this the law of man?" has "and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree". The text does not say which.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord Yahweh.
In plain English: What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord Yahweh.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
In plain English: For the sake of your word, and according to your own heart, you have done all this great thing, to let your servant know it.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. For there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
In plain English: That is why you are great, Lord Yahweh (this Bible: Yahweh God). For there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, by all that we have heard with our ears.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23What one nation on the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeemed to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
In plain English: What one nation on earth is like your people, like Israel, whom God went to redeem as a people for himself, to make a name for himself, and to do great things for you and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
Good to know: This verse is hard in Hebrew. The word "went" is written as if of more than one ("God", elohim, can also mean "gods"), and the verse moves from "himself" to "you" and "your land". has "in driving out nations from before your people", and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "so that thou shouldest cast out nations and their tabernacles".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24You established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God.
In plain English: You made your people Israel firm for yourself, to be your people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25“Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.
In plain English: Now, Yahweh God, make the word you have spoken about your servant and about his house stand (this Bible: confirm it) forever, and do as you have said.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
26Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David will be established before you.’
In plain English: Let your name be great forever, so that people say, 'Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel, and the house of your servant David will be made firm before you.'
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
27For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
In plain English: For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant (literally: uncovered your servant's ear), saying, 'I will build you a house.' That is why your servant has found the courage (literally: has found his heart) to pray this prayer to you.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
28“Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
In plain English: Now, Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised (literally: spoken) this good thing to your servant.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
29Now therefore, let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing.”
In plain English: So now, be pleased to bless the house of your servant, so that it may go on forever before you. For you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it. With your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed forever."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.