August 27

Introduction

2 Samuel 7:1–17: David is now king of Israel, and the prophet Nathan tells him of God’s steadfast covenant with David—that one of David’s descendants will always be king and that David’s son will be the one to build a temple for the LORD (verses 12–13).

Today’s Key Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16

[Speaking through the prophet Nathan, the LORD said to David:] “You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.”

Reading

7 King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord kept him safe from all his enemies. ² Then the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but God’s Covenant Box is kept in a tent!”

³ Nathan answered, “Do whatever you have in mind, because the Lord is with you.” ⁴ But that night the Lord said to Nathan, ⁵ “Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, ‘You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. ⁶ From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple; I have traveled around living in a tent. ⁷ In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.’

⁸ “So tell my servant David that I, the Lord Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel. ⁹ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world. ^10-11 I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land, they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to keep you safe from all your enemies and to give you descendants. ¹² When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. ¹³ He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son. ¹⁵ But I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king. ¹⁶ You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.’”

¹⁷ Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.

Reflect

What is Nathan’s message to David? What promises does God make? Reread verses 14–16. What are your thoughts about how God will act toward David’s successor?

Pray

Lord God, I place my trust in you. You alone are worthy of praise. You surround me each day with your steadfast love and care. I thank and praise you for your daily blessings. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

2 Samuel 7:18–29: King David offers a prayer of thanksgiving.