2 Samuel 7:1

ΒΆ And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

And it came to pass, when the king {H4428} sat {H3427} in his house {H1004}, and the LORD {H3068} had given him rest {H5117} round about {H5439} from all his enemies {H341};

After the king had been living in his palace awhile and ADONAI had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,

After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him,

And it came to pass, when the king dwelt in his house, and Jehovah had given him rest from all his enemies round about,

Commentary

2 Samuel 7:1 opens a pivotal chapter in the Old Testament, setting the stage for the significant Davidic Covenant. This verse describes a period of profound peace and stability for King David and the nation of Israel, a stark contrast to the years of conflict and turmoil that preceded it.

Context

Following David's anointing as king over all Israel and the capture of Jerusalem, which he established as his capital, the kingdom had entered a new era. David had successfully subdued the surrounding nations and consolidated his power. The previous chapter, 2 Samuel 6, recounts David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, signifying the spiritual heart of the nation. With the king settled in his new "house" (palace) and enjoying divine peace, David's thoughts turn to building a permanent dwelling place for God, leading directly to the profound promises of the Davidic Covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Rest and Security: The phrase "the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies" is central. It emphasizes that this peace was not merely a result of David's military prowess but a direct gift and blessing from God. This rest signifies an end to constant warfare and a period of national security.
  • A Time for Reflection and Service: This divinely granted peace allows David to shift his focus from military campaigns to spiritual matters, specifically his desire to honor God by building a temple. It highlights how periods of stability can be opportunities for deeper devotion and service.
  • Setting the Stage for Covenant: This verse is the crucial prelude to the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16), where God promises David an eternal dynasty and a perpetual kingdom. David's peace and desire to build God a house prompt God's greater promise to build David a "house" (dynasty).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rest" used here is nuakh (Χ Χ•ΦΌΧ—Φ·), which conveys a sense of settling down, quietness, and security. It implies not just an absence of conflict, but a state of being firmly established and secure. This "rest" is comprehensive, extending "round about from all his enemies," indicating total peace on all borders.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Samuel 7:1 reminds us that periods of peace and stability in our lives can be divine gifts. These times are not merely for personal comfort but can be opportunities to reflect on God's goodness and to consider how we might better serve Him. Just as David's rest prompted him to think about God's dwelling, our own seasons of peace can inspire us to deepen our commitment to spiritual endeavors and to build up God's kingdom in various ways, recognizing that all true peace ultimately comes from the Lord.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Samuel: The Last Judge and First Prophet of the Monarchy An Introduction to 2 Samuel: The Reign of David David and Bathsheba: A King's Great Sin David Becomes King of Israel Comparing Saul and David: Two Kings, Two Hearts

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 5:4

    But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, [so that there is] neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

  • Proverbs 16:7

    ΒΆ When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

  • 2 Chronicles 14:6

    And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.

  • Luke 1:74

    That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

  • Luke 1:75

    In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

  • Daniel 4:29

    At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

  • Daniel 4:30

    The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
← Back