COMMENTARY

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
David tells his prophet, Nathan, that he wants to build a temple for Yahweh. But this idea is rejected. Yahweh declares instead that he will make a house out of David. He promises David that he will make his name great, give him rest from his enemies and will establish him in an everlasting kingdom. David was promised that his descendants would rule God's people forever. Each succeeding king as a son of David was considered a savior-king, a son of God. Each was looked to as a messiah. At the exile this belief was no longer held, for the messiah could be a priest or prophet rather than a Davidic king. David's son was conceived as an agent of God's salvation and his reign would usher in a permanent age of righteousness and peace. Christians hol…