God’s Covenant with David: This chapter forms the climax of the whole Davidic tradition and brings together two themes, the foundation of the Davidic dynasty and the building of the temple. These themes are not fully integrated (vv. 1–7 and vv. 8–29 can each stand alone), and scholars have debated the structure and origins of the material. However, the fact that we have the origin of two institutions that dominated Israel’s history shows how vital this chapter is. The connection between the two themes is the word “house,” used in two different ways. David is not to build a house (building) for the Lord, but the Lord will establish a house (dynasty) for David. All the positive and beneficial aspects of kingship presented in the rest of Scripture center on the Davidic line. David was the one…