2 Samuel 7:9

2Sa 7:9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth.

Ver. 9. I was with thee, &c.] And so have sufficiently sealed up my love to thee.

Like unto the name of the great men.] Those men of renown.

“ Claros inter habes nomina clara viros. ”

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 7:9-10. I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest — In the time of his banishment he was remarkably preserved by God. Moreover, I will appoint a place, &c. — I will make room for them, whereas hitherto they have been much straitened and distressed by their enemies. Or, I have appointed a place for them, namely, the land of Canaan. And I will plant them — Make them take root; I will establish them in their place and land. That they may move no more — May no longer wander as they did in the wilderness. Neither shall the children of wickedness — The idolatrous people round about them; afflict them any more as beforetime — When they were in the land of Egypt. Thus, among the favours which God had vouchsafed, and would vouchsafe to David, he reckons his blessings to Israel, because they were great blessings to David; partly, because the strength and happiness of a king consists in the multitude and happiness of his people; and partly, because David was a man of a public spirit, and therefore no less affected with Israel’s felicity than with his own.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7:9 I have been with you: Through his guidance and protection, God was actively involved in shaping David’s entire life. • I will make your name . . . famous: God made this promise only to Abraham and David. (see Gen 12:2).

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

I have made thee famous through all the world.

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

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest,.... When he went against Goliath, when he went forth against the Philistines, when in Saul's court, when he fled from Saul, and was obliged to go to various places, God was with him protecting and preserving him, prospering and succeeding him every where, and in everything:

and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight: as Saul, and others in the land of Israel, and the Philistines, and other enemies round about him, so that he had rest from them all:

and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth; a name for a mighty king, warrior, and conqueror, such as some mighty kings and great men of the earth had obtained, and such fame, being made king over all Israel; and his success against the Jebusites had got him a name, as well as former victories he had been favoured with; on account of all which his name and fame had been spread abroad in the world, and he was reckoned as one of the greatest princes in it.

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

I have made thee a great name. The widespread conquests of David, and his great empire, were not for the sake of mere earthly dominion. It was, first of all, a type of Messiah"s reign, to whom God has premised the heathen for his inheritance, and that his gospel shall be carried to the ends of the earth. But, secondly, if Messiah was to be "David"s Son," it was necessary that that king should hold a special place in the hearts of all Israelites. In the fables and tales of the Arabs, it is Solomon who holds the foremost place. Just as our forefathers showed the native qualities of the race by making Arthur"s court the abode of prowess and chivalrous bravery; so the Arabs made Solomon"s court the representative of that dazzling splendor and magnificence which they so admired; and invested him with superhuman knowledge and magical power, such as made janns and ifreets the humble slaves of his will. In the Old Testament no king is "Jehovah"s servant" but David; no king is ever connected with Messiah but David. The religious fervent of the people may gather round a Hezekiah or a Josiah, and prophets may encourage them in their work; but no prophet sees in either of them the ancestor of Christ. It is, however, in the Psalms that we learn the full meaning of Nathan"s words. Here a veil is partly drawn over them. But it would be a wilful closing of the eyes to read this message and not bear in mind the clear light with which every word is illumined by the inspired outpouring of David"s own heart. He thoroughly understood the fulness and blessedness of God"s revelation, and has taught us that it all looked onward to Christ.

Ver. 9. (JERUSALEM.)

A great name.

Among the great things which God did for David, he gave him a great name, like that of others, statesmen, warriors, kings, who, on account of their abilities, successes, power, and influence, were renowned "in the earth." "The fame of David went out into all lands". (1Ch_14:17) "Glory consists in the honourable and widespread reputation of numerous and important services rendered to one"s friends, his country, or the whole human race" (Cicero). It is:

1. A desired possession. The love of human esteem, praise, and honour is natural, universal, beneficial, though often perverted to unworthy ends, and not subordinated to the voice of conscience and of God. "That characteristic of man which is at once the most unworthy and the most exalted is his desire of glory. It is the last passion that becomes extinct in the heart of man. There is such a charm in glory that, whatever we connect with it, even death itself, we love it still" (Pascal). "Desire of glory is the last garment that even wise men lay aside" (O. Felltham).

2. A Divine gift. "And in thine hand it is to make great". (1Ch_29:12) Although it necessitates, in most instances, strenuous human endeavour, it is never attained apart from or in opposition to the working of Divine providence; which in this, as in other things, is frequently mysterious, but always wise and just and good. How many strive after it in vain!

Some sink outright; O"er them, and o"er their names, the billows close Tomorrow knows not they were ever born. Others a short memorial leave behind,

Like a flag floating when the bark"s engulf"d It floats a moment, and is seen no more: One Caesar lives, a thousand are forgot. (Young, "Night Thoughts," 8.)

3. A weighty responsibility. As it is given by God, so it should be ascribed to him and used for him, according to his will, not for selfish but beneficent. (2Sa_5:12) Even when righteously gained, it is not always righteously maintained. Some of "the great men that are on the earth" have, by its abuse, fallen from their nest among the stars (Oba_1:4), like "Lucifer, son of the morning". (Isa_14:12)

4. An unsatisfying portion. In the midst of its enjoyment the soul craves something higher, and can find rest only in the approbation and fellowship of God. (Psa_4:6 Psa_73:25 Psa_119:57) It cannot impart inward peace; it endures but for a season, and then passes away. "Where are those rulers of the earth gone, with their guards, armies, and carriages, of whose departure the earth stands a witness unto the present day?" ("The Hitopadesa").

The noise Of worldly fame is but a blast of wind, That blows from diverse points, and shifts its name Shifting the point it blows from. Shalt thou more

Live in the mouths of mankind, if thy flesh Part shrivel"d from thee, than if thou hadst died Before the coral and the pap were left; Or ere some thousand years have past? and that Is, to eternity compared, a space Briefer than is the twinkling of an eye To the heaven"s slowest orb. (Dante, "Purg.")

Remarks.

(1) A great name is not always a good name.

(2) A good name may be possessed, though a great name may be unattainable.

(3) To some men (like David) it is given to possess both.

(4) True greatness consists in Christ-like goodness, (Mat_20:25-28) and true glory in "the honour which cometh from God only". (Joh_5:44) D.

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

Like the name of great people. That is what is said [about Dovid] the shield of Dovid.

I will destroy all your enemies. And that is why [the thought] came to your heart to build the House as it is written in the Torah.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.