2 Samuel 5:1-6:23

Memory Verse: 13

Introduction

Questions

Outline

I. I Will Establish His Throne Forever (1-17)

* David life can be broken down into four periods:
    1) Shepherd Boy - Not recognized in his family
    2) In Saul's House - Crushed under Saul's Jealousy and Hate
    3) Fugitive - Constantly on the Run and Growth
    4) Kingdom
       a)Over His Own Tribe - Display God's grace
       b)Over All Israel
          i) God's Promise
          ii) Sin
          iii) Restoration

>1. In what sense had the LORD given David 'rest'? (1)

* 2 Samuel 7:1 "After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him,"

* "After the king was settled in his palace" -David did not own a home until he was thirty. I too did not own a home till I was thirty. Before that time I was like David, moving from one apartment to another as I engaged in spiritual battles for the Lord. Some of God's people live in homes, others in apartments, and still others are at a time in their life that they have no shelter to live in.

* "the Lord had given him rest" -David had lived a hard life up to this time. Now David was given rest which would have probably been true for the rest of his life had he not sin. At times in our walk of faith we will at rest and at other times not at rest. At times the battle will be fierce, at time we will find rest. The church is enduring the continuing sufferings of Christ. Our rest is coming.

* God had helped David defeat all his enemies. They would not attack him any more. Up to this time David had constantly fought battles, even as a shepherd boy he fought lions and bears.

* God had promised Abraham (Genesis) and Israel (Deuteronomy) that they would find rest in the land that God was going to give them. David and his kingdom now find rest, reminding them that God's promise to their ancestors was still intact.

* Deuteronomy 12:10 "But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety."

* The victories noted in the next chapter happened before this statement. 2 Samuel is not in chronological order. The arrangement is topical; since the ark was not in Jerusalem David wants to built a temple to house it.

* See a picture of the old city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives to the right. (NIV Study Bible)

>What did David tell Nathan the prophet? (2)

* 2 Samuel 7:2 "he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."

* The Lord's promise to David is also in 1 Chronicles 17.

* "Nathan the prophet" -Nathan was a prophet of the Lord and David's personal prophet. "Nathan repeated to David all the words of the entire revelation." (17) Nathan later would rebuked David for his sin. (2 Sa. 12:1-23) The prophets communicated with God directly, giving the king and God's people messages from the Lord. Nathan acted as David's spiritual mentor, friend, shepherd, Bible teacher, advisor, and counsellor.

* Leaders should be accountable to someone like David was to Nathan; though in reality David was accountable to God.

* David's humility in talking to Nathan about his plans counters Saul's leadership style.

* "Here I am living in a palace of cedar" -Usually when people who had a hard life finally find rest them think about pleasure.

* "living in a palace of cedar" -David felt funny about living in a new palace after living in caves and abandoned cities.

* Where does God dwell? David had it wrong. The Ark of the Lord was in a tent in Jerusalem that he had constructed and pitched. (1). David implied that the Lord God was thus living in a tent. Interestingly, Nathan the prophet did not correct him (2).

I can imagine a group of people sitting at a dinner table when David decided it was time to bring up something that was on his mind and in his heart. I believe that building a temple for the Lord had been on David's mind and in his heart ever since he saw the Philistine temples with their idols in them while he was amongst them when Saul was trying to kill him.

Nathan gave David bad advice. A man of God is not infallible though a few I have had the acquaintance of portrayed the belief they are. The Lord God enlightened and rebuked both David and Nathan.

"I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day," was the Lord's excoriation (5). Was the Lord God walking and sitting in the tabernacle and now David's tent invisible from our eyes? Was he laying in the Ark of the Lord? Was he the two stone tablets inside the Ark? No to all those silly questions?

The irony is the thought that anything that David would commission to be used to build a temple is but one infinitesimal piece of that which the Lord God created. Does that mean that the Spirit of God cannot be in a tent, a temple, or a person? No. For the Lord told David, "I have moved from one tent site to another..." (5)

God's people are now the temple of God meaning he dwells in all those who confess the name of Jesus. What does it mean for the Lord God to dwell in a tent and a person? God's presence in something or someone does not exclude the truth that he does not dwell somewhere else.

When David was in Ziklag located in Philistine territory the Lord God was there too. When David was in Gath, one of their capital cities the Lord God was there too. If David stepped inside the temple of the Philistines idol, the Lord God would have been there too. God was there when David was telling Nathan about his plans to build a temple. God is everywhere. The question really is, do I seek him everywhere?

>What was Nathan's initial response? (3)

* 2 Samuel 7:3 "Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."

* "for the Lord is with you" -The Lord was with David and blessed all that he did.

* Nathan might have been glad to see David's zeal for the Lord. Since it seems there use to be a building of sorts in Shiloh that housed the Lord, why not build another one. Note: Shiloh was where Eli, the priest and Samuel, the last judge and first prophet served the Lord until it was destroyed by the Philistines.

* Upto this time, for the most part David's heart was right. Compared to Saul, David seemed like a perfect king to the prophet Nathan.

* Sometimes men of God speak and give advice before they really know what is God's will.

* The Lord did not rebuke Nathan for giving David the go ahead without seeking the Lord's will perhaps because Nathan was right in saying that the Lord was with David up to this time. Still, Nathan would learn the role of a prophet, especially one who was in the king's court.

>Was his advice the Lord's will? (4)

* 2 Samuel 7:4 "That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:"

* "that night" -Right away the Lord wanted to teach David something.

* "the word of the Lord" -In this case the word was spoken. For us it is written.

* "came to Nathan" -The Lord did not speak directly with David. Ever since the Israelites asked for a king, the Lord split the role of the judges between the prophets and the kings.

>2. What was God's dwelling place from the day the Israelites came out of Egypt? (5-6)

* 2 Samuel 7:5-6 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling."

* "my servant David" -Israel's kings were servants of the Lord. This is the concept that Saul could not understand or accept. Saul based his kingdom on the kingdoms of nations around him. David based his kingdom on the will of God for Israel. Throughout the ages many individuals and congregations have changed the leadership organization that the Lord established through the apostles. They have based the organization on the principle of this world. Church leadership is not to be a one man on top and the rest subject to him. Church leadership is not to be a locked in elders club. Church leadership is to be a theocracy with a board of elders, men chosen from the local congregation who meet the requirements outlined in the New Testament by open lots voted by the body of Christ. No one man is to be higher than these group of men.

* "Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in" -The Lord's question makes it clear that he would have a house to dwell in. Deuteronomy 12 indicates that a temple would be built though the location is not stated.

* The fact that any house that David would make would be from the very creation that God made in ironic. Not all of creation can house God. David's thought was for a place that God could dwell in. God does not need a place to dwell in and any place constructed would never be good enough or holy enough. God is omnipresent. Deuteronomy 12 makes it clear that the point of making a house was so that Israel would have one place to go to. The house of God was for Israel, not for the Lord.

* 1 Kings 8:17-18 states, "My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart."

* After the Lord corrected and rebuked David and the prophet Nathan (4-6) he turned the tables on David. David had wanted to build a temple (1). The Lord reminded them of everything he had done for David (7). Then he told him his plans.

David was the Lord's servant, not the other way around (7). The Lord had rescued him from being a nobody shepherd boy. The Lord had made him king. The Lord had always been with David (??. The Lord had removed all of David's enemies. David was successful not because David was great. David had accomplished only because the Lord had made it so. David was and still is great because the Lord had made it so.

The Lord's plans had always been for Israel's benefit (9). The Lord had been keeping his promise to Abraham, the man of faith in the Lord God.

The Lord Jesus looked to the future. Verses 9 and 10 are future tense. In the future, they will have a place. In the future, they will have a home of their own. In the future, they will not be disturbed, In the future, wicked people will not oppress them. In the future, the Lord will subdue Israel's enemies. That is why David was successful.

I have plans. That is good. However, do my plans match up to the Lord's? Do my desires and dreams exist in the will of the Lord? Even if my intent is for the benefit of the Lord and others, they may not be in the will of the Lord. Or perhaps they are in the will of the Lord, but my motivation is wrong. I could be like Nathan and believe that the Lord is with me in everything I do and so I can do anything. Such thinking needs the Lord's rebuke.

>What can we learn about God? (7, John 1:14; Mt. 11:29-30)

* 2 Samuel 7:7 "Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'"

* John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

* Matthew 11:29-30 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

* The Lord is gracious, gentle, humble, not demanding, and desires to be with his people.

* God visits us where we are and how we are. If we are in a wilderness, he is in the wilderness. If we are in a tent, he is in a tent. If we are on the move, he is on the move with us. God always makes himself approachable while maintaining the truth that he is holy and inaccessible to sinners. How can sinners approach Jesus? By his grace.

>Why do you think God discouraged David from building a house for him? (1 Chron. 28:3)

* 1 Chronicles 28:3 "But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.'"

* David shed blood. God didn't want a man who shed blood to build the temple. God was establishing the fact that he is holy.

* David was a great man in many respects. In the course of his life he sought the Lord's will and followed it. Up till now the Lord agreed with everything David asked and wanted to do. Now David was told he would not be the one to do this. In a way this was a test to see if David would restrain when God said no.

* We may want to do something for God. And that thing may be good. However, may not be the one to do it. God has plans for us and plans for other people. We should accept the plans God has for us and not be jealous of others. We should humbly obey his will for us. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 states, "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

* God did not condemn building the temple. Nor did God thank David for wanting to build it. God doesn't need to thank anyone. God was not appalled by his warrior life. It is possible to not be condemned and yet not be qualified for a task.

* If a preacher or teacher is caught in sin it is possible to be disqualified for some time and even for the rest of his earthly life. Luke 17:1-4 "Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.'"

* 1 Kings 5:3 states, "You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet."

* Pagans believe that the gods are only interested in us so we can build them buildings and maintain the temples. Today some Christians have the notion that God needs us to spread the gospel. God does not need anything from us. Earlier this week a man came to my house that I witnessed to and taught the Bible to eighteen years ago. He believed that we can't be taken home to Jesus because God needed him to share the gospel to so many people. God does not need anyone for anything. However, God does want us to participate in his work, following his command to share the gospel. Yet, if we refuse to obey and participate with him (like Saul), he will find someone else who will follow his will. And if no human is found, God will participate with his angels who will obey him. And if no angel is acceptable for the task, then God will accomplish his will participating amongst the Father, Son and Spirit. As for David, God raised him up as a shepherd for God's people, rescuing them their enemies; not building temples.

>3. Where was David when God called him and what was his life like? (8, and 1 Sa. 17:34-37)

* 2 Samuel 7:8 "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel."

* 1 Samuel 17:34-37 "But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."

* "I took you from the pasture" -Being a shepherd was the lowest job in a family. David was the youngest son, and so he got the least job. David was the least important in his family. God called him when he was nothing.

* David's life as a young boy reflected his role as king.

* Samuel was not mentioned even though Samuel was the one who the Lord sent to David. To many times some people place to much weight on the human "chain of authority" especially after they have fallen asleep.

>How did God show his love for David? (9a; 3:1)

* 2 Samuel 7:9a "I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you."

* 2 Samuel 3:1 "The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker."

* "I have been with you wherever you have gone" -The Lord never left David. David may have hid in caves, but the Lord was always with him. Nathan had already told David this. Having the Lord with us does not mean that we will live in great homes or even have an easy life. It does mean that he will keep us on the right path when we inquire of him.

* "I have cut off all your enemies from before you" -This did not happen right away (30 years), but it did happen. Today we become impatient when things don't happen right away. I should not become impatient for the Lord to keep his promises.

* Many to this day say that David was a brilliant general. Yet right here the Lord says that he was the commander who directed his general.

>What did God promise David for the future of his kingdom? (9b-12)

* 2 Samuel 7:9b-12 "Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And 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. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom."

* "I will make your name great" -God promise has been fulfilled to this day.

* "like the names of the greatest men of the earth" -Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and the list of judges included.

* "I will provide a place for my people Israel" -God had already do so in David's time. Yet this is looking to the future too.

* "will plant them " -Israel is sometimes illustrated as a fig and olive tree, and as a grape vine. Jesus used the illustration too.

* "a home of their own and no longer be disturbed" -This looked to the future beyond the nation of Israel for though it was true in Solomon's time; Israel's sins put this to a temporary end.

* "Wicked people will not oppress them anymore" -As with the former promise, this was partially meet in Solomon's kingdom and yet because of Sin did not last. This no doubt looks toward the New Jerusalem, whose architect and builder is God.

* "I will also give you rest from all your enemies" -The rest this speaks of is not the rest that he knew now. Rather it is speaking of rest after his physical body dies. Like him our true rest is future.

* "the Lord himself will establish a house for you" -David would eventually die. The Lord promises to raise up one of his sons as his replacement, the beginning of a royal dynasty. If not for sin, the dynasty would exist today.

* "I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom" -I believe that Jesus is the greatest fulfillment of this promise. Solomon was only a temporary fulfillment.

* "our own body... I will establish his kingdom" -This finds its ultimate fulfillment in the kingship of Christ, who was born of the tribe of Judah and the house of David (Ps. 89:30-38; Isa. 9:1-7; Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:32-33, 69; Acts 2:30, 13:23; Rom. 1:2-3; and 2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 3:7, 22:16).

* Most scholars state that the promises up to verse 12 refers to the earthly kingdom more than the eternal kingdom of God. They say that Verse 13 and on refers to Messianic promises.

* This is not called a covenant here, but it is in 23:5; Psalm 89:3, 28, 34, 39, and Psalm 132:11. David's response shows that he understood this as a covenant. The covenant that the Lord made with David is an unconditional covenant. It is an extension (addition) to the original covenant made with Abraham. The covenant God made with us (his church) made through his Son Jesus, is a new unconditional covenant bound by faith. Jesus said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." (Mark 14:24)

* The offspring the Lord promised who would succeed David is Jesus. Jesus is the house the Lord built. David had already built himself a fine house made of cedar (1). So the Lord's promise to build a house for David (10b) is a different kind of house. Jesus' house is a different kind of house.

The Lord promised to "raise up" David's succeeding offspring. The Hebrew word for "raise up" is "qum" meaning; arise, lift up, establish, stand, and confirm. "Qum" is a primitive root word. The implication in the Lord's covenant with David is that the offspring will start afresh a new kind of kingdom. Jesus' kingdom is a new kind of kingdom established on the covenant of Jesus' blood.

Jesus' kingdom is also a house (14). Jesus' father is God (13). Jesus is the son of God (13). Mary's conception was immaculate. She was a virgin when she conceived Jesus for the Holy Spirit came upon her. A man did not come upon her. Therefore, Jesus' physical father is God.

God loves Jesus eternally (13). Jesus is King eternally (14). Jesus' kingdom is eternal (14). Jesus' throne is established forever (14). Saul's throne ended when he died. David's line of sons who reigned ended. Jesus, the son of David rules forever and his kingdom is unending.

A household has children. A kingdom has subjects. I am in Jesus' house. I am in Jesus' kingdom. The Hebrew word "bayit" in verses 10 and 12 is also translated as a "temple". The Lord was turning over David's plans to build the Lord a temple. Instead, the Lord would build a temple that one son of David would build and establish. Jesus built it and I am in that household.

>4. In what sense are verses 13 and 16 Messianic promises? (Lk. 1:32-33)

* 2 Samuel 7:13 "He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.'

* 2 Samuel 7:16 "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

* Luke 1:32-33 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

* God's promise to David is similar to Abraham's promise.

* "for my Name" -"Name" is equivalent to "me" in verse 5.

* "his kingdom forever" -Jesus kingdom is growing with each person that accepts him as King and Savior. Are you a member of his kingdom? Since his kingdom endures forever and is established by God, you should accept Jesus' rule over your life; repent and believe.

>What do verses 14-15 teach about God's love to his children? (1 Cor. 13:6-7; Heb. 12:7-11)

* 2 Samuel 7:14-15 "I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you."

* "I will be his father... my son" -In Jesus Christ this promise comes to ultimate fulfillment (Matt. 1:1; Mark 1:11; Heb. 1:5) The place of Son means privilege. The apostle John wrote, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only Begotten, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

* "my love will never be taken away from him" -Jesus is eternally loved by the Father.

* "as I took it away from Saul" -Saul rejected God and God rejected Saul. Some believe that Saul's sins were forgiven and thus he was saved and yet not used by God.

* God's love is a father's love. This is referring to Jesus, not Solomon. Solomon was not eternal, Jesus is.

* "I will punish him with the rod of men" -God uses men to punish his people. When Jesus accepted our sins God punished Jesus with the rod of men. Yet, he was still his Father.

* "my love will never be taken away" -God's love in unfailing and unconditional. Though Jesus bore our sins on the cross and was flogged and died. Yet God loves him to the end. Many times the Father said of Jesus within hearing of others, "This is my Son whom I am well pleased."

* This is God's promise is to all his children through Jesus. He is our father through Jesus. He disciplines us and we participate in Jesus' sufferings. We are instruments of the good news of Jesus' kingdom.

* 2 Samuel 7:17 "Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation."

* Nathan did the requirements of the office of prophet, delivering all of God's revelations. This must not have been easy for Nathan because it contradicted what he himself had said earlier.

II. Who am I, O Lord? (18-21)

>5. As David reviewed God's past dealings with him what as his response? (18)

* 2 Samuel 7:18 "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"

* "Then King David went in" -David went into the tent he had made to house the ark. (6:17)

* "and sat before the Lord" -David's tent must not have had a curtain separating the holy place from the most holy place as the tabernacle did. The ark was a symbol of the presence of the Lord. (Ex. 25:22)

* "Who am I" -Before David thought he was someone who could build a house for the Lord. Now he sees that he is unworthy to receive anything from the Lord or do anything for the Lord. David accepted God's gentle rebuke and gracious promises.

* "O Sovereign Lord" -The Lord is the one who establishes and maintains his people and his promises to them. The Lord Jesus is in total control. God's will is being done always.

* "what is my family" -David realized that his family was no different than any other family (all to true as found in the next chapters). God does not establish dynasties because the family has some special gift, talent, or are holier than others.

* "you have brought me" -David acknowledged God hand was the one guiding him.

>What was David's attitude toward God? (19)

* 2 Samuel 7:19 "And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?"

* "Is this your usual way of dealing with man" -David was humble before God, he respected God's direction. He thought of himself as nothing and yet blessed by grace.

* Jesus taught that we are to be humble servants. He is the master and we are his servants. "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." (Matthew 10:24)

* David was humble. He acknowledged his humble beginnings (16). Humility is knowing and accepting myself; my sullied past, my imperfect character, my infected soul (heart and mind), and my Lord's mercy and grace in dealing with and purifying me.

David's humble character was in spite of the fact that he knew that the Lord treated him and loved him in an exalted way (17).

When I ponder myself and my relationship with God I wonder do I truly accept the promises he made to me through Christ? I am jealous of David because of the words he spoke to David here. I am jealous because I want them for myself. And yet through Jesus, I already do have them. So do I believe? Then why am I jealous?

The promises that God makes are not connected to my sullied past, imperfect character, nor my infected soul for Christ has and will deal with me in mercy and grace all the days of my life. When God says through the Spirit, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (Rom. 8:14) and "Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Rom. 8:17), then I am the same as David. I am under the covenant of Christ.

>What does David's prayer mention about God's grace? (20-21; Ps. 116:12)

* 2 Samuel 7:20-21 "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant."

* Psalms 116:12 "How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?"

* "You know your servant" -God knows our heart motives and thoughts. He has special knowledge. He understands why we do things. David later told Solomon, "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." (1 Chron. 28:9) Any shepherd, pastor, director, leader, preacher, or teacher whose motives are pure is blessed. I knew a leader who thought he could get away with secret dealings. His judgement is sure.

* "For the sake of your word and according to your will" -Whenever God blesses someone it is according to his plan, his will. David and his family would be blessed only because it would bring God glory and honor.

* "this great thing" -The covenant with David.

* "and made it known to your servant" -God does not often reveal his will. He only does it to those whose heart is after God's will.

* David is full of wonder and awe.

III. Now Lord, Do as You Promised (22-29)

>6. What does David know about the greatness of God? (22; Ex. 15:11; and 1 Kings 8:23; and 2 Chron. 20:6)

* 2 Samuel 7:22 "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears."

* "and said: 'O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below-you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in you way." (1 Kings 8:23)

* "and said: 'O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you." (2 Chron. 20:6)

* Have you ever confessed this in your personal prayer time with God? Has the prayer been in spirit and truth? (John 3) Is your praise from the heart, soul, mind, and strength.

>What does David refer to as the special goodness of God to his own people? (23; Mt. 21:43; and 1 Pet. 2:9; and 2 Thes. 2:13)

* 2 Samuel 7:23 "And who is like your people Israel--the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?"

* "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit." (Mt. 21:43)

* "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Pet. 2:9)

* "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth." (2 Thes. 2:13)

* "God went out to redeem" -Israel was like all the other nations. God purchased them as a slave is purchased out of slavery. The term redeemed is a bartered agreement to recover ownership.

* "great and awesome wonders" -David recalls how God displayed his power through many miracles to not only Israel, but also Egypt and all the other nations.

* Jesus has redeemed us through the sacrifice of himself. Galatians 3:13-14 states, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."

>7. What does David describe as the covenant of God's grace? (24; Num. 23:19; and 1 Thes. 1:4; Ps. 119:49)

* 2 Samuel 7:24 "You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O Lord, have become their God."

* "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Num. 23:19)

* "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you." (1 Thes. 1:4)

* "Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope." (Ps. 119:49)

* "You have established" -Israel was not established because of his skills in battle or greater weapons. God established them. Similarly, God established his body (the church, the congregation) not because we had any goodness in us, or that we were special.

* "you, O Lord, have become their God" -God made himself the God of Israel. The Lord Jesus is our God too, by faith in Jesus.

>How could David have such confident expectation? (Ps. 119:25, 28, 41, 58)

* "I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word." (Ps. 119:25)

* "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." (Ps. 119:28)

* "May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise;" (Ps. 119:41)

* "I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise." (Ps. 119:58)

* David loved the Lord and sought him with all his heart, body, soul, and strength.

>8. What was the basis of David's bold prayer? (25)

* 2 Samuel 7:25 "And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised,"

* "And now" -David starts a new thought.

* "Lord God" -"YHWH (Yahweh) Elohim" in Hebrew.

* "as you promised" -David's prayer was based on the promise that the Lord God made. David accepted the promise and states he wants it done. David accepted as we need to accept the promises made to us through God's Son Jesus.

>How can we hold onto God's promises? (Is. 1:18; Jer. 3:22; Is. 40:29-31; Prov. 3:6, James 1:5; and 1 Cor. 10:13; Phil. 4:19)

* "Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. 'Thought your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" (Is. 1:18)

* "Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.' 'Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God.'" (Jer. 3:22)

* "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will sore on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faith." (Is. 40:29-31)

* "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:6)

* "If any of your lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

* By faith we must accept God's promises, asking that his will be done in our life eternally.

>9. What is David's supreme desire? (26-27; and 1 Cor. 10:31; John 12:27, 17:1)

* 2 Samuel 7:26-27 "so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer."

* "so that your name will be great forever" -Our life's desire is to make God's name great among men forever.

* "will be established before you" -David knew it was God's work and David wanted to make sure that we know that he agreed that he would live and rule before the Lord.

* "your servant has found courage" -Romans 8:15-16 states, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." And "Galatians 4:6 states, "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'"

>10. On what basis did David build his hopes? (28-29; Ps. 119:58)

* 2 Samuel 7:28-29 "O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."

* "I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise." (Ps. 119:58)

* "your words are trustworthy" -David based his hope in God's words. As we study the Bible we to can find it trustworthy and true.

* "blessed" -God's hand working in our lives. God's benefits, the good things he gives us. In Christ we have all the blessings in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 1:3 states, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

>What wonderful characteristics are manifested in David's prayer?

* Love, respect, humility, and wonder of God.