2 Samuel 7:12-17 - The house God is building

In the preceding verses, the LORD told Nathan to remind David of two things. Firstly, God was the one who had made David’s name great. Secondly, God was the One who had given him and his people victory over their enemies, just as in the days of the judges to ensure that they would experience rest all around. Then God promised to raise the Davidic dynasty. When we come to 2 Samuel 7:12-17, we see God’s promises outlined for David’s descendants. This tells us that all the plans God has for us always have continuity. God will follow through with His promise. He always ensures that His promised blessings will follow us and our posterity. But He does require faithfulness from every generation.  

In verses 12-17, God detailed six things that He would do for the descendants of David. Firstly, He would establish the kingdom for one of David’s direct descendants. Secondly, this king would be used to build a house for God’s name. Thirdly, God would establish his throne forever. Fourthly, he would have a unique father-son relationship with God Himself. Fifthly, God promised to correct his wrong with the rod of divine judgment. Sixthly, God’s covenant faithfulness would not depart from him or from the line of David. God would ensure that David’s house and throne would endure forever.

While these promises were fulfilled immediately with Solomon who succeeded David on the throne, they also point us to a king beyond him. We all know that the promises indirectly point to Jesus, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. The promises see their fulfillment in Jesus. The Bible tells us that Jesus, our King, hailed from the line of David and had a unique relationship with God the Father. He is God’s only begotten Son by eternal generation. In God’s kingdom program, Jesus took the rod of God’s divine judgment but not for His own sins, for He has none. He took the divine judgment for us. According to Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging, we are healed.”  Jesus took the judgment for our sins. In Him, God’s eternal Kingdom is established here on earth. The house that bears God’s great name is the church. This spiritual house is not built with literal stones, but with the living stones of committed men and women. Jesus Christ is the foundation stone. Every one of us is God’s building material of this house. When we play our part well, we will highlight His excellent name. So we must be committed to doing our part to bring Him the glory that He deserves!