In this text, we see David at rest from warring with the Canaanites, and Israel is completely in control of the promised land. David proposes to build a temple for Yahweh, the God who has brought him and Israel to this point of peace. Yahweh tells David that he is not to build his temple, but lavishly responds by making a covenant with David and his descendants forever. In a way, Yahweh turns the tables and vows to build the house of David (family) rather than allowing David to build his house (temple). The chapter ends with a poetic prayer by David as he contemplates all Yahweh has done and will do.

2 Samuel 7 represents the resolution of two major narratives in the Hebrew scriptures. On a small scale this chapter represents the final chapter of a story that started when David was anointed by Samuel (see 1 Samuel 16). With many chapters in between, we see David has finally become an uncontested king and is even promised that his kingship will never fade. God says in verse 8, “I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.” On a grander scale, the current passage culminates the saga that began when God promised Abraham and his descendants that he would give them the land of the Canaanites (see Genesis 15 and Exodus 3). When David brings the ark of God to Jerusalem, it can finally be said that Israel controls the promised land. God says in verse 10, “I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.” Therefore, 2 Samuel 7 stands as a poetic ending to both the plot line of David and the kingship, and to the children of Israel and the promised land.

We can also see in this story the Biblical theme of Sabbath rest, and it is here that we can take some concrete application. We as humans can be quite legalistic, the most obvious form of legalism being our tendency to do things to earn salvation and favor from God. Still a more subtle form of legalism is shown when we try to do things to return the favor that we have already received from God. We feel that God has been so good to us that we ought to do things in order to pay him back in kind. This is the heart of David at the beginning of the chapter. Although it sounds reasonable to us, the God of Scripture actually takes offence to this notion of reciprocation. Stated simply, it is not the type of relationship that he needs or desires. 

Yahweh did not go to battle with Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt in order to win for himself a nation of slaves. Likewise, Jesus did not ransom our lives on Calvary in order to gain our capacity to do religious works. Scripture indicates that the God of the Bible scandalously won us from slavery for the purpose of making himself famous in the heavens and within the sacred temples of our tiny hearts. He did it for His glory rather than as an investment in human capital.

The Biblical concept of Sabbath flies in the face of our tendency to earn success in our lives and favor from God by doing. The people of ancient Israel as well as Christ followers today are challenged to periodically take a Sabbath rest. We are to refrain from the doing of works and focus on being thankful and blessed. We are to follow David’s example and to refrain from doing something for God and enter into his presence to bask in the glory of all that he has done and will do. In verse 22 David says, “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” As we read these words, may we from our most inward person say, ‘amen.’

God’s blessings on your day!