Exegetical Paper

The history of the chapters leading up to 2 Samuel 7:8-19 are important in understanding its meaning and significance. The first thing that is important is the death of Saul and Jonathan. Saul was the current king of Israel, and Jonathan, his son, was David’s best friend. After they were killed at Mt. Gilboa, David was probably torn in how to feel. Saul was jealous of how popular David had become and tried to kill him, but David hid from him. Because of what God told him in 1 Samuel 16, David knew Saul’s death, would advance David to be king. At the same time, he was mourning the death of his best friend Jonathan. Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths prepared the way for God’s plan to proceed. After this, David went to Hebron where he was anointed king over Judah. While this was happening, Abner, Saul’s general, crowned Saul’s son Ishobosheth king over Israel. This led to a war that would last about two years. Eventually Abner was killed as well as Ishobosheth and David was officially made king. Another thing that is important to this passage is the moving of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark being moved to that city made it the center of Israelite worship. David and the people of Jerusalem began to worship by dancing and praising God. David’s wife was not happy about him dancing, but he rebuked her. David told her he was praising God for all He had done for him so he didn’t see anything wrong with it. With the entire nation under his control, and no enemies at that time, David wanted to build a temple to house the Ark. Nathan, a prophet, advised him to go ahead and build the temple, but later that night God spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David that one of his descendants would build the temple because He had a bigger plan for David. The plan God had for David is revealed in 2 Samuel 7:8-19. It is the Davidic Covenant. In the covenant, God made many promises to David. He promised to bless David, his family, and his people. He promised