2 Samuel 7:16

2Sa 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Ver. 16. Thy throne shall be established for ever.] It shall, it shall - take my word for it: - in Christ, howsoever, who shall reign as God-man throughout all eternity.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Sa_7:16-17

Thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever.

The advantages of civil government contrasted with the blessings of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ

I. The first and primary advantage expected from every well-constituted human government is security and the sense of security. The depravity of our nature has introduced such a universal selfishness and rapacity among mankind is their natural state, that men in every age and country have been convinced of the expediency and necessity of attempting to organise some form of government for the purpose of their common security. While every individual is left to exert his own power as he chooses, none can be secure either in his property or person: it becomes absolutely indispensable, therefore, if men would escape the intolerable evils of such a state, to collect and embody this scattered and uncertain force of the many, in some public depository of power: such a provision is necessary for the protection and preservation of every community. Hence almost all nations, even the most uncivilised, have attempted some constitution of this kind, however rude, for the prevention or the redress of those injuries to which the subjects were continually liable by the passions of our nature. But the utmost degree of personal security that can be enjoyed under any form of civil power, is a most imperfect shadow of the safety which Jesus Christ bestows upon the subjects of his spiritual reign. Until a man submits to His mediatorial authority, he remains exposed to unutterable evils.

II. The second benefit expected from human governments is liberty. So far as this advantage is consistent with the former, or with the public security, the more largely it is enjoyed the better. But, suppose the utmost possible degree of civil liberty enjoyed, what is it in comparison with that spiritual, real freedom, which Jesus Christ confers? The former is, at the best, only an external, circumstantial blessing; it does not enter into the inner man. But if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed: where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the only true liberty. The Christian is the genuine freeman, and none beside is such except in name.

III. The next advantage derived from a good government is plenty. To secure this advantage, you are aware that there are arrangements in nature, in a great measure independent of human institutions, and beyond the control of human policy. But perhaps, in this respect, there has been often much error on the part of those in power. But in the kingdom of Jesus Christ there exists an infinite plenty of all the provisions that can be desired for all the wants of the soul. None are neglected here: the poorest may be enriched beyond the most splendid opulence of this world, even with the unsearchable riches of Christ; as the apostles, though poor, could make many rich,--though they had nothing, they possessed all things. For in Jesus Christ all fulness dwells, for the supply of spiritual destitution.

IV. A tendency to improvement in its social institutions, is a fourth benefit which ought to accompany every well-ordered government. The best of these institutions are such as will be at once permanent and progressive, by their intrinsic wisdom and excellence,--by their adaptation to all the varying circumstances of the nation,--by their power of providing for unseen and possible emergencies: they will gradually rise from security to convenience, and then exalt convenience into ornament--into just refinement and diffused illumination: such has been the aim of the greatest legislators. But the difference between the most moral and the most flagitious of natural characters, is less than the difference that subsists between the subjects of Jesus Christ and the children of this world; because the latter is the difference between the spiritually dead and living.

V. The fifth and last requisite of a well-constituted government is stability: this is the crown of all its other advantages. Nothing can be wanting to such a reign but that it should last: and this is what the text emphatically expresses--Thy throne shall he established for ever: as the Psalmist says of the Messiah, He shall reign as long as the sun and moon endure. In this the kingdom of David was an emblem, however faint, of that which would be erected by Jesus Christ; wonderfully preserved as was the throne of Judah, while the greatest monarchies were marked by perpetual vicissitudes: the kings of Israel were ever changing in their line, while the descendants of David maintained a direct succession, (R. Hall, M. A.)

A long tenure of blessing

If a man might have a cottage on a hundred years lease, he would prize it much more than the possession of a palace for a day. Of course he would; and this it is which adds so much preciousness to the joys of heaven, for they are eternal. The pleasures of this world, however bright they seem, are but for this one day of life, which is already half over. If they were all they profess to be, and a thousand times more, they would not be worthy to be mentioned in comparison with pleasures for evermore at Gods right hand. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Christs reign foreshadowed

Apart from the fact that the kingdom in the form in which Davids descendants ruled over it, has long since crumbled away, the large words of the promise must be regarded as inflated and exaggerated, if, by for ever they only mean for long generations. A seed, or line of perishable men, can only last for ever if it closes in a Person who is not subject to the law of mortality. Unless we can with our hearts rejoicingly confess, Thou art the King of glory, O Christ. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, we do not pierce to the full understanding of Nathans prophecy. All the glorious prerogatives shadowed in it were but partially fulfilled in Israels monarchs. Their failures and their successes, their sins and their virtues, equally declared them to be but shadowy forerunners of him in whom all that they at the best imperfectly aimed at and possessed is completely and for ever fulfilled. They were prophetic persons by their office, and pointed on to him. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7:16 for all time . . . forever: God’s promises do not negate human responsibility and accountability (7:14). Wrongdoing requires a just response from God. However, no wayward son of David could move God to withdraw his promise to preserve David’s dynasty. Although the dynasty disappeared for hundreds of years, David’s house and kingdom were renewed in Jesus Christ, the sinless descendant of David who reigns forever.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

This was begun in Solomon, as a figure, but accomplished in Christ.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(16) Established.—Two different Hebrew words are so translated in this verse. The first is the same word as that used in 2Sa_7:12-13, while the second is translated sure in 1Sa_2:35; Isa_55:3, and would be better rendered here also made sure.

Before thee.—The LXX. has unnecessarily changed this to before me. The thought is, that David is now made the head of the line in which shall be fulfilled the primeval promise “The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.” This was originally given simply to the human race (Gen_3:15); then restricted to the nation descended from Abraham (Gen_22:18, &c); then limited to the tribe of Judah (Gen_49:10, comp. Eze_21:27), and now its fulfilment is promised in the family of David.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. thy kingdom shall be stablished] Better, thy kingdom shall be made sure. Two different words are translated “shall be stablished” in this verse. The second corresponds to that in 2Sa_7:13 : the first is that rendered in 1Sa_2:35, “a sure house, and in Isa_55:3, “the sure mercies of David.”

before thee] The explanation that “David is regarded as seeing all his descendants pass before him in a vision,” is forced, and it is best to follow the LXX. in reading before me. This reading moreover seems to be required by 2Sa_7:26; 2Sa_7:29.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee,.... That is, both his family and his government should be perpetuated, or he should always have one of his family to sit upon his throne; the accomplishment of which, in the beginning of it, he saw with his eyes in his son Solomon, and with an eye of faith in his greater Son the Messiah, in whom only these words will have their complete fulfilment; and so Abarbinel says this vision or prophecy is explained by some of the days of the Messiah; and this house and kingdom, in Ch1 17:14; are called by the Lord "my" house, and "my" kingdom:

thy throne shall be established for ever; which is a repetition of the same in other words for the confirmation of it.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Faithful; or continue a long time. (Menochius) (3 Kings xi. 38.) --- Where is not the house of David? or how is this accomplished, except in the Church? --- Thy face. Septuagint, "before me," which is conformable to Psalm lxxxviii. 38. David saw Solomon on the throne, and beheld the Messias in spirit. (Calmet) --- Souls departed still see what regards them, (Sa) if they be happy. (Haydock)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Before thee; thine eyes in some sort beholding it; for he lived to see his wise and godly son Solomon actually placed in the throne, with great reputation and general applause, 1Ki 1:39,40, which was in itself a good presage of the continuance of the kingdom in his family; and being considered, together with the infallible certainty of God’s promise to him and his for ever, of the accomplishment whereof this was an earnest, gave him good assurance thereof; especially considering that he had his eyes and thoughts upon the Messia, Psa 90:1, &c., whose day he saw by faith, as Abraham did, Joh 8:56, and whom he knew that God would raise out of the fruit of his loins to sit on his throne, as is affirmed, Act 2:30, and that for ever: and so the eternity of his kingdom is rightly said to be before him. The LXX. and Syriac read before me, which is a usual phrase, which makes no great variation in the Hebrew text.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

16. For ever… for ever — of all the words of promise that fell on David’s ears these were the most charming. They find repeated utterance in his prayer, (2Sa_7:19; 2Sa_7:25; 2Sa_7:29,) often in the Psalms, (Psa_18:50; Psa_89:29,) and even echo in the angel’s words of salutation to the mother of our Lord. Luk_1:32-33. By them we see that this message of Nathan to David was largely a Messianic prophecy.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Glimpses of the King Messiah.

Looked at in the light of the development of the Divine purpose, rather than of the conscious knowledge of the time,

(1) the royal office of David and Solomon (in its typical significance), and

(2) the promises and prophecies uttered more or less directly in connection therewith, especially as recorded in the last words of David (ch. 23.) and in the Psalms, clearly pointed to the coming of an extraordinary, theocratic, Divine King. They indicate that he would be:

1. The Anointed of Jehovah. His Servant, chosen and beloved (ver. 8; ch. Act_4:27 Act_10:28) Psalm 89., "The faithfulness of the Lord.

Once thou spakest in vision to thy beloved, and saidst: I have laid help upon a mighty one, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant, With my holy oil have I anointed him. (Psa_89:19, Psa_89:20)

2. The Son of David "according to the flesh" (ver. 12; Act_2:29-31 Act_13:22-23)

Jehovah hath sworn unto David In truth that which he will not recall: Of the fruit of thy body Do I appoint a possessor of thy throne. (Psa_132:11)

3. The Son of God. (Ver. 14; Psa_16:10 Luk_5:35; Act_4:25 (Rom_1:4) Psalm 2., "The triumph of the Lord"s Anointed.

Jehovah saith unto me: Thou art my Son: I have this day begotten thee. (Psa_2:7)

He shall cry unto me: My Father art thou, My God, and the Rock of my salvation! Also I will make him my Firstborn, Highest of the kings of the earth. (Psa_89:26, Psa_89:27)

"In the Old Testament the relation between father and son denotes the deepest. intimacy of love; and love is perfected in unity of nature, in the communication to the son of all that the father hath. "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand". (Joh_3:35) Sonship, therefore, includes the government of the world" (Keil).

4. The King of righteousness and peace; Prophet and Priest; the Conqueror of all opposing powers (through conflict and suffering); the Saviour and Benefactor of those who trust in him; the supreme Lord (ver. 13; Psalm 22.; 40:6 1 (Mat_22:45; Heb_1:8)

The oracle of Jehovah unto my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psa_105:1)

Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; A sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Psa_45:6)

5. The Builder of the temple. (Ver. 13; (Zec_6:12, Zec_6:13; Joh_1:14 Joh_2:19 Joh_14:23; 1Co_6:19; Eph_1:20-23 Eph_2:20-22; 1Pe_2:5; Rev_21:1-3)

Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, even the rebellious, that the Lord Jehovah might dwell among them. (Psa_68:18)

6. The Possessor of universal dominion. (1Sa_2:10; 2 Samuel Psa_22:27)

He shall have dominion from sea to sea, And from the river to the ends of the earth. (Psa_72:8)

7. The King who should reign forever. (Ver. 16; Psa_61:6, 7 89:36, 37)

His Name shall endure forever; His Name shall be continued as long as the sun. (Psa_72:17)

"An allegory may serve to illustrate the way in which the Old Testament proclamation of salvation unfolds itself. The Old Testament in relation to the day of the New Testament is night. In this night there rise in opposite directions two stars of promise. The one describes its fall from above downwards; it is the promise of Jehovah who is about to come. (Psa_96:13 Psa_98:9) The other describes its path from below upwards; it is the hope which rests on the seed of David, the prophecy of the Son of David, Which at the outset assumes a thoroughly human and merely earthly character. These two stars meet at last, they blend together in one star; the night vanishes, and it is day. This one star is Jesus Christ, Jehovah and the Son of David in one Person; the King of Israel and at the same time the Redeemer of the world; in one word, the God-Man" (Delitzsch, in Ps 72). D.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Before thee - Thine eyes in some sort beholding it: for he lived to see his wise son Solomon actually placed in the throne, with reputation and general applause, which was in itself a good presage of the continuance of the kingdom in his family: and being considered, together with the infallible certainty of God's promise to him and his, (of the accomplishment whereof, this was an earnest,) gave him good assurance thereof; especially considering that he had his eyes and thoughts upon the Messiah, Psalm cx, 1, &c. whose day he saw by faith, as Abraham did, John viii, 56, and whom he knew that God would raise out of the fruit of his loins to sit on his throne, and that forever: and so the eternity of his kingdom is rightly said to be before him.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

The Davidic Covenant

The Davidic Covenant 2Sa 7:8-17.

This covenant, upon which the glorious kingdom of Christ "of the seed of David according to the flesh" is to be founded, secures:

(1) A Davidic "house"; i.e. posterity, family

(2) A "throne"; i.e. royal authority

(3) A kingdom; i.e. sphere of rule

(4) In perpetuity; "for ever"

(5) And this fourfold covenant has but one condition: disobedience in the Davidic family is to be visited with chastisement; but not to the abrogation of the covenant 2Sa 7:15; Psa 89:20-37; Isa 24:5; Isa 54:3.

The chastisement fell; first in the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam, and, finally, in the captivities. 2Ki 25:1-7. Since that time but one King of the Davidic family has been crowned at Jerusalem and He was crowned with thorns. But the Davidic Covenant confirmed to David by the oath of Jehovah, and renewed to Mary by the angel Gabriel, is immutable Psa 89:30-37 and the Lord God will yet give to that thorn-crowned One "the throne of his father David."; Luk 1:31-33; Act 2:29-32; Act 15:14-17.

See, for the other seven covenants:

EDENIC, (See Scofield "Gen 1:28") ADAMIC, See Scofield "Gen 3:15" NOAHIC, See Scofield "Gen 9:1" ABRAHAMIC, See Scofield "Gen 15:18" MOSAIC, See Scofield "Exo 19:25" PALESTINIAN, See Scofield "Deu 30:3" NEW, See Scofield "Heb 8:8"

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.