Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 7
God had promised to make David great (7:9), but David claimed that greatness for God, and not for David himself. In other words, David considered that the honour for God’s wonderful promises belonged to God alone. So, David praised God. In these promises, God had shown his true greatness.
God’s greatness distinguishes him from everyone else. Nobody else has such power and wisdom, such goodness and love. We may have some of these qualities, but only God has them without limit (Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 2:7-11; Ephesians 3:18-19).
Therefore, anyone else who claims to be a god, speaks lies (John 8:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Anything that people declare to be a god, cannot truly help them (Isaiah 44:9-20). Only the real God, who created heaven and earth by his power, deserves our praise and honour (Deuteronomy 4:32-35). He alone is the true and living God.
David had heard about God’s greatness in the past, when he (David) learned about Israel’s history. He had heard how God rescued Israel’s people from Egypt. They had lived as slaves there, and God acted powerfully to rescue them.
Now, in the promises that God made to David, David had seen God’s greatness for himself. David did not need first to wait to see how God would carry out those promises. David knew that God’s promises are certain; God always does what he says (Isaiah 55:11). God had declared these things - so David knew that they would certainly happen (compare Romans 4:18-22 and Hebrews 11:13).
Next part: God acts for his own honour in Israel (2 Samuel 7:23)
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