2 Samuel 7:4,2 Samuel 7:17

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 7:4

And it came to pass that night ,.... The same night following the day in which David and Nathan had had the above conversation, that neither of them might continue long in their error and mistake, and especially lest David, in his great zeal and warm affection, should take an hasty and improper step: that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan ; the word of prophecy, as the Targum; before he was not under a prophetic influence, but spoke in his own words, and had not the word of God; but... 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

The word of Jehovah came unto Nathan. Not every word of a prophet was inspired, and only a very few of the prophets, and those only upon great and solemn occasions, spake under the direct influence of the Spirit of God. In his usual relations with the king, Nathan was simply a wise, thoughtful, and God-fearing man. In giving his approval he probably meant no more than that a permanent dwelling for Jehovah was what all pious men were hoping for. But from the days of Samuel to those of Ezra,... 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

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 7:4

that night. After these words all the MSS. have a hiatus, marking a solemn pause, and pointing back to the corresponding night of Genesis 15:12-17 , thus connecting the two great unconditional Covenants. See note on 2 Samuel 7:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 7:4

GOD VETOED DAVID'S PROPOSAL"But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, `Go and tell my servant David, "Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to live in? I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 7:4

4-17. it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan—The command was given to the prophet on the night immediately following; that is, before David could either take any measures or incur any expenses. read more

Group of Brands