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When the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
Verse 1. Enemies, before he had made war upon the surrounding nations. 1 Chronicles 18:1.
the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God’s ark dwells within curtains.”
Verse 2. Nathan. An admirable courier, (Grot.) and a great saint, Sirach 47. He was neither too rough, nor too complaisant.—Cedar. This was the most esteemed species of wood. The palace of the Persian kings, at Ecbatana, was chiefly built of it, and of cypress wood. Polyb. x.—Houses were not there built in such a solid manner, as they are in colder climates. They consisted mostly of wood.—Skins. The outer veils of the tabernacle were made of skins, as others generally were. Calmet.—Hebrew and Chal. “of curtains.”
Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”
Verse 3. Thee. David did not, perhaps, consult him as a prophet; and Nathan thought that the proposal was so just, that it might be safely carried into effect. The prophets are not inspired in all their actions. Joseph was of a different opinion from his father. Genesis 48:19. Samuel supposed that Eliab should have been king; (1 Kennicott. 16:6,) and Eliseus confesses, that God had concealed from his the affliction of the woman with whom he lodged. 4 Kennicott. 4:24. Calmet.—God afterwards sent the same Nathan to rectify his former decision, that he might not pass sentence, in future, without consulting him. Menochius.
That same night, the LORD’s word came to Nathan, saying,
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘The LORD says, “Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?
For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.
In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’
Verse 7. Tribes. 1 Paral. 17:6, by the substitution of p for b, reads Shophete, “judges,” which seems more natural. Some farther information is there given and we learn that the reason why David was denied the privilege of building a temple, was because he had been so much engaged in war. Calmet.
Now therefore tell my servant David this: ‘The LORD of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.
I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,
Verse 10. Before, provided they be faithful. These promises are conditional.
and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD tells you that the LORD will make you a house.
Verse 11. House, or give thee children, who shall hold the sceptre. Menochius.
When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
Verse 12. I will establish his kingdom. This prophecy partly relates to Solomon; but much more to Christ, who is called the Son of David in Scripture, and the builder of the true temple, which is the Church, his everlasting kingdom, which shall never fail, nor be cast off for any iniquity of her children. Challoner.—God passes over all the children whom David had already, 3 Kennicott. 2:15. The temporal kingdom was enjoyed by David’s posterity for a long time, sufficient to verify the expression for ever, as it is often used in Scripture. Calmet.—But the spiritual kingdom of the Messias will last till the end of time, and be perfected in eternity. Bible.—In these predictions we must always distinguish the type from the reality. Calmet.
He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men;
Verse 14. Men, who are not to be entirely destroyed, like the Chanaanites. Calmet.—This is not unlike the human temptation of which Saint Paul speaks. 1 Corinthians 10:13. See Psalms 72:5 and 88:33. Bible.—The rod of men denotes war, and stripes signify those punishments which God inflicts. Saint Jerome Trad.—Some parts of this declaration regard Christ; others Solomon. Hebrews 1:5. D.
but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”
Verse 16. Faithful; or continue a long time. Menochius. 3 Kennicott. 11:38.—Where is not the house of David? or how is this accomplished, except in the Church?—Thy face. Septuagint “before me,” which is conformable to Psalms 88:38. David saw Solomon on the throne, and beheld the Messias in spirit. Calmet.—Souls departed still see what regards them, (Sa.) if they be happy. Bible.
Nathan spoke to David all these words, and according to all this vision.
Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD; and he said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?
Verse 18. Lord. “More in soul, than by this posture of the body, remaining quiet in meditation and prayer.” Cajet.—Vatable says only kings were allowed to pary sitting, (Sa. Menochius.) and they must be of the house of Juda. Maimon.—they say the priests always stood in the temple. But Josephus mentions seats of lead for them. Bel. vii. 11. The Hebrew expression may denote no more, than that David continued for a long time in fervent prayer; Josephus says, prostrate on the ground before the ark. It is not so much the posture of the body as the fervour of the soul, which God regards. See Saint Augustine ad Simp. ii. q. 4. Pythagoras ordered his disciples to pray sitting; and Homer represents Thetis in that attitude. Calmet.—Far, in power and glory. Bible.
The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord GOD, but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this among men, Lord GOD!
Verse 19. God. Thus man wishes to be treated. This maxim prevails universally. People seek for their own and their children’s happiness; a favour which thou hast graciously promised unto me. Calmet.—Thus immortality, and all happiness, were proposed unto the first man. Menochius.—Some use an interrogation; “Is this the law of Adam?” Calmet.—Prot. “manner of man.” Can this felicity attend a man in his fallen state? Does the greatest friend treat his companion with so much condescension and regard? Bible.—In 1 Chronicles 17:17, it is thus expressed, and hast made me remarkable above all men, O Lord God. Osiander translates, “Behold the law of man, of the Lord God.” I now discern the mysterious union of the godhead with our humanity, in the person of the Son. Calmet.—Luther attributes this version, Hæc est ratio hominis, qui Dominus Deus est, to Zisgler; and hence proves the incarnation. Amama and Tarnovius shew the weakness of the proof, though the article of faith be otherwise indubitable. Bible.—David is full of admiration that God should treat a weak mortal in such a manner. D.
What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord GOD.
Verse 20. Unto thee. To express his sentiments of gratitude. Menochius.—What more can he desire?
For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
Verse 21. Word’s sake. Some copies ( Bible.) of the Septuagint read “servant’s sake,” as 1 Chronicles 17. Calmet.
Therefore you are great, LORD God. For there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
What one nation on the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeemed to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
Verse 23. A name. So that all might praise God, for the favours which he had bestowed upon his people, ( Bible.) and admire his power and glory.—Gods, whom thou didst cast out of Chanaan. Par. Calmet.—From, is not expressed in the Vulg. or Hebrew though Prot. also supply it. Bible.—Some explain Elohim, “gods,” of the chief men of the Hebrew nation. The power of the idols was overthrown; (Numbers 33:4,) and the Israelites were rescued both from oppression, and from the service of false gods. Ezekiel 16. Calmet.—Adonai is often substituted for Jehova; as appears from 1 Chronicles 17:21, 22. Kennicott.
You established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever; and you, LORD, became their God.
“Now, LORD God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.
Verse 25. Raise up. As long as the promises were not fulfilled, they seemed to be dormant. Menochius.
Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David will be established before you.’
For you, LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
Verse 27. In his heart. Lit. “has found his heart,” ( Bible.) following the inspirations of divine grace, to pray with attention and love, ( Calmet.) and confidence. Bible.
“Now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
Now therefore, let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord GOD, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing.”
Verse 29. Begin. Hebrew “please, or deign to bless.” Septuagint and Jonathan, “begin.” Calmet.