2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Chronicles 17:1-15; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27; 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 1 Chronicles 18:1-13; Psalm 60
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Second Samuel 7 today is a big chapter! God essentially establishes a covenant with David – it isn’t expressly called a covenant, so I suppose it is more of a promise. Verse 16 is a nice sum-up of God’s promise to David: “Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.’” The throne is secure forever because from the lineage of David comes Jesus. Jesus is forever. Genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3:21-38 will give you more details on this lineage.
It is interesting that God does not want David to build him a temple, but lets David know one of his descendents will in verses 12 & 13: “For when you die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house–a temple–for my name.” We will later learn the reasons for this in 1 Chronicles 28 verse 3 when David says – “But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’” David was a warrior – as is very evident in Second Samuel 8 today. David’s purpose was to unite and establish Israel. David’s son Solomon will build the temple for God.
I love David’s prayer of thanksgiving to God in 2 Samuel 7 verses 18-29 today! How often do you pray prayers of thanksgiving like this? After the prayer of thanksgiving, an image is below for Second Samuel chapter 8 verses 9 through 11 today: “When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the army of Hadadezer, e sent his son Joram to congratulate David on his success. Hadadezer and Toi had long been enemies, and there had been many wars between them. Joram presented David with many gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. King David dedicated all these gifts to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had set apart from the other nations he had subdued.”
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Second Samuel readings today titled “Building God’s House” is at this link.
I like the imagery of Psalm 60 verse 4 a lot – “But you have raised a banner for those who honor you — a rallying point in the face of attack.” I do believe that if we honor God, he will in some profound way “raise up a banner” for us. A banner that will rally and encourage us in the face of attack – in the face of doubt or despair or sickness or just plain old fashioned attack from the Enemy – I believe God will give us a banner of hope. This banner could end up being one of a million different things I think, depending on the circumstances. For me, certainly a banner that rallies me each and every day is God’s very Word, the Bible. I believe the Bible is indeed a banner that rallies us in the face of attack… What are some banners in your life that God is providing to rally you in the face of attack? Uh-oh, this whole banner imagery has reminded me of an old childhood song… 🙂 Remember that children’s song that goes something like this (over and over and over again…) – “Peter built the church on the rock of our faith. HIS banner over me is love.”? What a great simple song! God’s love very well should be a banner in our lives!
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Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” 2 Samuel 7:22 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to the LORD that there is no one like Him! Pray in thanksgiving that you are reading the Bible and “hearing” the good news with your own “ears” and eyes!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
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