2 Samuel 7

Jehovah

And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, 2 Samuel 7:4–11

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, speaks through the prophet Nathan. He reminds David that He has walked with Israel since Egypt and promises to build David a 'house' (a royal family line) rather than let David build Him a house.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in D&C 110:3-4 — Jehovah identifies Himself as the one who was slain and lives again.
• a parallel account in 1 Chronicles 17:3-10 — The same oracle to Nathan retold in Chronicles.

Premortal Christ dwelling among His people

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 2 Samuel 7:6

Jehovah chose to live among Israel in a tent. John later describes the Word made flesh as dwelling (literally 'tabernacling') among us, the same humble choice to live with His people.

• alluded to by John 1:14 — The Word 'dwelt among us' uses the language of pitching a tabernacle.

David as type of the Shepherd-King

Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 2 Samuel 7:8

David goes from shepherd to king over God's people. Later prophets use 'my servant David' the shepherd as a name for the coming Messiah, the Good Shepherd who rules His flock.

• a type of what is in Ezekiel 34:23-24 — 'One shepherd ... even my servant David' promised as a future shepherd-prince.
• a type of what is in John 10:11 — Jesus: 'I am the good shepherd.'

Son of David (the promised seed)

Son of David — the Messiah descended from David who inherits his eternal throne

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:12–13

God promises David a descendant whose kingdom lasts forever. Solomon built the temple, but only Jesus Christ, born of David's line, reigns forever and builds the true house of the Lord. This covenant is why the New Testament calls Jesus 'the Son of David.'

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — Gabriel: the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
• fulfilled by Acts 2:30 — Peter: of the fruit of David's loins God would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.
• alluded to by Psalm 89:3-4 — The covenant with David: 'Thy seed will I establish for ever.'
• alluded to by Zechariah 6:12-13 — The Branch 'shall build the temple of the LORD' and bear the glory on his throne.
• a parallel account in 1 Chronicles 17:11-12 — The same promise in Chronicles.
• fulfilled by Matthew 1:1 — Jesus Christ, the son of David.

Son of God

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 2 Samuel 7:14–15

God promises a Father-Son relationship with David's heir. Hebrews quotes these exact words to show that Jesus is the Son of God, greater than angels. The line about chastening for iniquity fits Solomon, the near heir; Christ, who had no sin, fulfills the Sonship perfectly.

• quoted by Hebrews 1:5 — 'I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son' applied to Christ.
• alluded to by Psalm 89:26-27 — 'He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father ... I will make him my firstborn.'
• a parallel account in 1 Chronicles 17:13 — The same promise in Chronicles.

Eternal throne of David

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

David's earthly dynasty ended with the Babylonian exile, yet God said the throne would last forever. That promise is kept in Jesus Christ, who will reign as King forever.

• alluded to by Isaiah 9:7 — 'Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom ... for ever.'
• fulfilled by Luke 1:33 — 'Of his kingdom there shall be no end.'

Jehovah

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 2 Samuel 7:18–22

David humbly prays to the Lord GOD (the covenant name Jehovah) who made these promises. In Latter-day Saint understanding, Jehovah who covenanted with David is the premortal Christ who would be born of David's line.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back or frees

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 2 Samuel 7:23–24

David praises Jehovah as the God who redeemed Israel out of Egypt to be His own people. The same Jehovah is later called Israel's Redeemer and fulfills that title through His Atonement.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same title in Isaiah 43:14 — 'Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.'

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. 2 Samuel 7:25–29

David calls on the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to keep His word and establish David's house forever. Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts, is the premortal Christ, and the eternal house David asks for is fulfilled in Christ's kingdom.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in D&C 29:9 — Christ speaks as 'the Lord of Hosts' in latter-day revelation.