Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 7
God had made a wonderful promise to David (7:5-16). David received God's promise in faith (belief and trust in God), and not in doubt. He knew that God always carries out his promises (7:28). So therefore, the purpose of David's prayer was to express his agreement with God's promise (2 Corinthians 1:20). God's word (that is, his promise) gave David the confidence and the faith (belief and trust) that God would do these things (compare Romans 10:17).
David wanted God to receive the honour for his (God's) promise. He wanted people across the world to learn about God's greatness from what he (God) had done for his (God's) people, Israel. That had happened when God rescued Israel's people from Egypt (Joshua 2:9-11). It is God's plan that his good news should reach even the most distant parts of the world (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 52:9-10; Matthew 28:19-20).
God had promised honour to David (7:9) - but David did not want to use that honour for his own selfish benefit. David’s desire was only that his family would continue to live in a right relationship with God. David knew that his whole family would not do that (7:14). However, God had promised that from his family would come the future king called the Messiah. The Messiah's relationship with God is perfect in every way (Psalm 2:7-8; Isaiah 11:1-9; Mark 1:10-11).
Next part: David defeats the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1)
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