2 Samuel 7

David Wants to Build a Temple

How would you feel if you thought up and planned to do something for the Lord and His Church that you thought was very special and then found out He wanted you to do something else? Chapter 7 of 2 Samuel records that this is essentially what happened to David. As you read, notice how David responded to what the Lord said to him.

Understanding the Scriptures

2 Samuel 7

Rest (vv. 1, 11)Peace

Curtains (v. 2)Portable tent, tabernacle

Afflict (v. 10)Trouble

Which shall proceed out of thy bowels (v. 12)Your direct offspring or descendants

Chasten (v. 14)Discipline for the purpose of loving correction

Rod (v. 14)A stick, branch, or twig

Stripes (v. 14)To be struck with a stick or whip

Is this the manner of man (v. 19)Is this the way you deal with man

Confirmed (v. 24)Established, made sure

2 Samuel 7:11—What Kind of House Was the Lord Promising to Build David?

The “house” David wanted to build for the Lord was a temple. The “house” the Lord promised to build David was a posterity—especially a posterity of rulers. Although David was not permitted to build the temple (see activity A below), the Lord did build the house He promised to David. The kings of Judah were descendants of David, as was the King of Kings—Jesus Christ—who, interestingly enough, promised to help all who follow Him obtain “mansions” in the world to come (see John 14:1–3).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activities A and B as you study 2 Samuel 7.

1. Insight from Other Scripture

   Read 1 Chronicles 22:7–8 and explain why the Lord did not want David to build a permanent temple.

2. How Did David Feel?

   1. Reread the introduction to 2 Samuel 7 and think about how you would feel if you were in a situation similar to David’s. Then read 2 Samuel 7:18–29 and tell how David felt about what the Lord told him.

   2. Write in your notebook and mark in your scriptures the parts of verses you think best express David’s feelings.

   3. Explain why you think David felt the way he did.