2 Samuel 7

Notes on the verses

Chap. VII. Ver. 1—29. David proposes to build a temple; but is told to leave it to his son and successor.—David no sooner takes possession of his new house, (for which his friend King Hiram had furnished both builders and materials,) than he begins to think of the ark which dwelt in curtains, while he dwelt in a house of cedar; and he mentioned to the prophet Nathan a desire to build a house—a temple for the Lord. Nathan at first encourages the design as highly praiseworthy; but at night he receives, in a prophetic vision, an express order for David to decline the project, and leave it to his successor. The particular reason is not here given; but in only put off his outer garments. The terms uncovered or naked frequently mean no more than this in Scripture.

So the ancient Germans are said by some writers to have appeared naked; but the representation of Tacitus is re: Jecta veste superiore, ‘‘having thrown off their upper garment.’’—Bagster. Ver. 21. Therefore will I play.—The original term is equally general and comprehensive with the English; it is applied to athletic exercises, ch. ii. 14. and above, ver. 5. to playing on instruments of music. Chap. VII. Ver. 1. When the king sat in his house.—That is, when he came to reside in it. Ver. 5. Shalt thou build, &c.—The adverb why seems here implied.— Why shouldest thou build? &c.—The Lord had never intimated a command, or even a wish to that effect. The parallel passage in (1 Chronicles 17:4). is in negative, but the sense corresponds.

‘‘Thou shalt not:—Why shouldest thou?” Ver. 7. With any of the tribes.—{Instead of shivtey, “tribes,” we should rightly read, witne ed Drs. Waterland and A. Clarke, and others, shophtey, “judges;” which is the reading in the parallel passage. Indeed there is but a letter of difference between them; and letters which might be easily mistaken for each other; the apex under the upper stroke of the pay, being the only mark to distinguish it from the baith. Compare verse 1.}—Ver. 18. Sat before the Lord.—Dr. Pococke has given the figure of a person half sitting and half peka; that is, kneeling so as to rest the most muscular part of his body on his heels. This, he observes, is the manner in which inferior persons sit at this day before great men, and is considered as a very humble posture.

In this manner, probably, David sat before the Lord. Ver. 19. And is this the manner (Heb. “the lawy) of men, O Lord?—That is, do men in general interest themselves thus deeply in the behalf of persons unworthy aslam? This will reconcile the sense with that of the parallel passage in (1 Chronicles 17:17). ‘‘Thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree;” that is, far above my rank or merits. Ver. 23. For you.—Here is evidently some mistake. David is addressing God: the LXX. omit these words; the Vulgate reads, “for them;” so the Arabic, which is adopted by Dr. Boothroyd. The difference here also is but a letter in the original. Compare (1 Chronicles 17:21).