2 Samuel 7
DOYLY— Who am I, O Lord God? &c.] He begins his address, as best became him, with a most profound debasement of himself, and confession of his own unworthiness; and continues throughout to acknowledge, in strains of the utmost gratitude and thankfulness, the special and unexampled favours and mercies of God, exceeding the highest of his wishes, and surpassing all his power to express. Bp. Patrick, Pyle.
2 Samuel 7:13
- — I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.] These words in their primary sense relate to the terestrial kingdom of David’s family, and the long duration of it, enough to justify the expression “for ever,” taken in a less strict signification. But if we take it in a more sublime and absolute sense, it can belong to none but that Son of David, to whom God the Father gave an eternal kingdom (properly so called) over all things in heaven and in earth; which, though it was not so well known in the times when the prophecy was uttered, was by subsequent events made clear and evident. Stackhouse, Le Clerc.
2 Samuel 7:14
- I will be his father, &c.] These words, being applied Heb. i. 5. to Christ, plainly shew, that this, like many other prophecies, is of a mixed nature, partly belonging to Christ, and partly to Solomon, and his successors in the temporal kingdom of Israel. And it is manifest that Christ is solely intended in these words, “the beloved Son, in whom God is well pleased.” Bp. Patrick. The prophet intimates, that, as David would be succeeded by a son who would erect a temple to God, and in whose family the crown would continue, amidst occasional chastisement for their sins; so God, at His appointed season, would raise the promised Seed and Saviour, who would erect a nobler and more lasting spiritual kingdom for governing the hearts and lives of men: and, though the subjects of this kingdom should in like manner have a Divine hand of correction held over them for their negligence and disobedience, should undergo persecutions and calamities in this life, which would darken the outward prosperity of Christ’s kingdom and Church; yet should the kingdom or religion itself never be quite destroyed out of the world, but should continue and last, till time should be no more. Pyle. — I will chasten him with the rod of men.] I will chastise him gently and favourably, as loving parents use to correct their dearest children. Bp. Hall.
2 Samuel 7:16
- — thy throne shall be established for ever.] If these strong and emphatical expressions were applied only to David’s temporal successors, they would be confuted by the event. What can we then collect, but that, though his temporal kingdom would be cut off, there would arise in due time one of his posterity, in whom this promise of an everlasting kingdom would be punctually fulfilled? Dr. Berriman.
2 Samuel 7:18
- — sat before the Lord.] That is, before the ark, where was the symbol of the Divine presence. Bp. Patrick. “Sat,” remained in a due posture of kneeling or lying prostrate on the ground, praying or returning thanks to God. Dr. Wells. David, after he had received the foregoing gracious promise from the Prophet, offered up this excellent prayer to God, and returned most hearty thanks; expressing his faith and firm dependence on the promises of God, his great zeal for His glory, his joy and gratitude, and, above all, his profound humility. In this prayer he likewise implores, with great fervency of devotion, the Divine blessing on himself and on his family. This example should incite us to celebrate the goodness of the Lord towards us, with hearts sincerely sensible of His mercies, and of our own unworthiness; and continually to implore the Divine favour and benediction with all the fervency of true devotion. Ostervald. Though David’s prayer and thanksgiving. Before CHRIST about 1043. said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
2 Samuel 7:19
- — but thou hast spoken — for a great while to come.] He magnifies the kindness of God, who did not think it enough, that He had made him a great king; but also promised that his posterity, and at last the Lord Christ, should sit upon his throne. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 7:20
- — for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it:] We cannot but notice the exemplary piety, gratitude, modesty, and humility of this great and excellent prince, upon the receipt of God’s gracious message. Beginning with expressing a strong sense of his own unworthiness, he wants words to express his gratitude for the Divine goodness, and appeals to the heart-searching God for the sincerity of his gratitude, acknowledging that all is owing to the mere motion of His goodness, and for demonstrating His truth in the performance of His promises. How natural, after this, is the adoration of God, as supremely great and good; and the prayer which concludes the whole! Those, who cannot see the heart in this solemn address to God on this signal occasion, must be void of all that sensibility, which both dictates devotion, and greatly heightens the pleasure of it. Dr. Chandler. In my opinion, the workings of a breast oppressed and overflowing with gratitude are painted stronger in this prayer than I ever observed in any other instance. It is easy to see that David’s heart was wholly possessed with a subject which he did not know how to quit, because he did not know how to do justice to his own sense of the inestimable blessings poured down upon himself, and promised to his posterity, and much less to the infinite bounty of his Benefactor. Dr. Delaney. Chap. VIII. ver. 1. — Metheg-ammah] This name is