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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 7:4-17

We have here a full revelation of God's favour to David and the kind intentions of that favour, the notices and assurances of which God sent him by Nathan the prophet, whom he entrusted to deliver this long message to him. The design of it is to take him off from his purpose of building the temple and it was therefore sent, 1. By the same hand that had given him encouragement to do it, lest, if it had been sent by any other, Nathan should be despised and insulted and David should be perplexed,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 7:5

Go and tell my servant David ,.... The Lord speaks very honourably and respectfully of him, owns him to be his servant in other things, though he did not choose to employ him in this; and though he was not the person, nor this the time, to build the house of the Lord, yet, as he showed a good will towards it, so far it was acceptable to God: thus saith the Lord, shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in ? no, thou shalt not, as appears from 1 Chronicles 17:4 ; which seems to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 7:5

Shalt thou build me a house - That is, Thou shalt not: this is the force of the interrogative in such a case. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 7:1-11

The facts are: 1 . David, being settled in his kingdom and furnished with a permanent place of abode, is dissatisfied that the ark of the Lord should remain in a frail tent. 2 . He sends for Nathan, and intimates his desire to build a fitting house for the Lord, and receives encouragement from the prophet. 3 . During a vision of the night Nathan is directed to inform David that his desire cannot be realized; that all along it had been God's will to move from place to place in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 7:4-11

( 1 Chronicles 17:3-10 ). ( ZION .) A forbidden purpose. "Shalt thou build me a house for me to dwell in?" On reflection, the prophet, perhaps, felt some misgiving as to the wisdom of the counsel he had given to the king; and (in prayer) the same night (before any steps could be taken to carry it into effect) he received a Divine communication which he faithfully announced. The chief significance of this communication lies in the promise it contained with respect to "the house of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 7:5

Shalt thou, etc.? The question implies an answer in the negative; but there is no disapproval of David's purpose as such; but only the deferring of its full execution unto the days of his son. There is more than this. The idea which runs through the Divine message is that the dwelling of Jehovah in a tent was a fitting symbol of Israel's unquiet possession of the laud. It was David's mission to give them tranquillity and security in the region which they had conquered long ago, but wherein... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 7:4-6

2 Samuel 7:4-6. That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan Because David’s mistake was pious, and from an honest mind, God would not suffer him to remain long in it. Shalt thou build a house for me? That is, How is it that thou hast formed this design? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house, &c. I have not mentioned, nor has any one else thought of the building me one, from the time you have been a people. But I have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle I have been content with... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 7:1-29

God’s promise and David’s prayer (7:1-29)When David expressed his desire to build God a permanent symbolic dwelling place, God reminded him through the prophet Nathan that Israel’s God, Yahweh, was not limited to one land or one place. For that reason his symbolic dwelling place had been a tent, something that was movable and could be set up in any place at all (7:1-7).Nevertheless, because the people of Israel were not spiritually in a condition where the ideal for them could work, God would... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 7:5

My servant . Note the repetition of this word throughout this chapter. See note on 2 Samuel 7:18 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 7:5

2 Samuel 7:5. Shalt thou build me an house, &c.— The interrogation here has the force of a negative. The meaning is, Thou shalt not build me, &c. See Psalms 132:3; Psalms 132:18. read more

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