2 Samuel
Verse 1. Enemies, before he had made war upon the surrounding nations. 1 Chronicles 18:1.
EXPLANATIONS
2 Samuel 7
Historical chapter commentary
2 Samuel
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.”
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
Verse 10. Before, provided they be faithful. These promises are conditional.
2 Samuel
Verse 11. House, or give thee children, who shall hold the sceptre. Menochius.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
Verse 20. Unto thee. To express his sentiments of gratitude. Menochius.—What more can he desire?
2 Samuel
Verse 21. Word’s sake. Some copies ( Bible.) of the Septuagint read “servant’s sake,” as 1 Chronicles 17. Calmet.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
Verse 25. Raise up. As long as the promises were not fulfilled, they seemed to be dormant. Menochius.
2 Samuel
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.
2 Samuel
Verse 29. Begin. Hebrew “please, or deign to bless.” Septuagint and Jonathan, “begin.” Calmet.
2 Samuel
The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”