Key Verse: “Who am I… that you have brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7:18 NIV)
18-21 King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming, for you’ve also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow, my Master God! What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it.
Reflection: (2 Samuel 7:18)
This section records David’s prayer expressing his humble acceptance of God’s promise to extend his dynasty forever.
David realized hat these blessings were given to him and his descendants in order that Israel might benefit from them.
They would help fulfill God’s greater purpose and promises that through the nation the whole world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).
Reflection: (2 Samuel 7:18-19)
David’s first reaction to Nathan’s prophetic message might have been one of anger.
After all, God had rejected the king’s plan to build him a temple.
However, as David learned of God’s gracious gift that he was giving – one unparalleled since the days of Abraham (Genesis 12:15) – he was overwhelmed with gratitude and wonder.
Seeking a place of communion with God, David went into the sacred tent housing the ark of the covenant and sat before the Lord, and began speaking with Him.
This is the only time in the Old Testament where a person is said to have sat down in the presence of God.
David began his response to God just as the Lord had begun His to David – with a question: Who am I … that you have brought me this far?
David was the undisputed king of Israel and the nation’s greatest military hero. Yet, no human achievement could justify the greatness of God’s gifts to him.
The Lord had transformed a small country shepherd boy into the most powerful man in Israelite society. And if that were not enough, he had also promised the brightest possible future for the house of His servant David.
None of these divine workings reflected God’s usual way of dealing with man.
Reflection: (2 Samuel 7:20-21)
David provided a thoughtful response to the question he had raised in verse 18.
It was not because of David or his family that God had bestowed favors on him.
The real reason the king had been so blessed was that God might be glorified.
It was for the sake of God’s Word that God had done this great thing and then made it known to David.
That is, God was honoring the promise He had made hundreds of years earlier in the days of the Patriarch Jacob.
As promised, “the scepter will not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10).
What amazed David was that God had chosen his family out of all the families of Judah for this honor.
22-24 “This is what makes you so great, Master God! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears. And who is like your people, like Israel, a nation unique in the earth, whom God set out to redeem for himself (and became most famous for it), performing great and fearsome acts, throwing out nations and their gods left and right as you saved your people from Egypt? You established for yourself a people—your very own Israel!—your people permanently. And you, God, became their God.
Reflection: (2 Samuel 7:22-24)
The grandeur of the promise-keeping God caused David to marvel at how great the Lord is.
In all the universe there is no one like Him.
Just as the Lord is without equal, so His people re uniquely favored.
Israel stands apart from other nations because God has selected it for special treatment.
Israel is the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for Himself. Thus they were established as God’s very own forever.
This special treatment in Israel’s behalf was given to them for the same reason that special treatment had been given to David – so God could make a name for Himself before all the other nations of the earth.
25-27 “So now, great God, this word that you have spoken to me and my family, guarantee it permanently! Do exactly what you’ve promised! Then your reputation will flourish always as people exclaim, ‘The God-of-the-Angel-Armies is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will remain sure and solid in your watchful presence. For you, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, told me plainly, ‘I will build you a house.’ That’s how I was able to find the courage to pray this prayer to you.
28-29 “And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!”
Reflection: (2 Samuel 7:25-29)
David began the conclusion to his prayer of gratitude with a bold command. He ordered God to keep forever the promise He had made about His servant, the promise to build a house of His servant, that it might continue forever in his sight.
David’s courage to make these brash requests rested squarely on the Word of God.
The king knew that God’s words are trustworthy. And since the Lord had revealed that He would build a house for Him and that it would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16), the king found the courage to make these requests.