2 Samuel 7:14

KJV

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

KJV (with Strong's)

I will be his father {H1}, and he shall be my son {H1121}. If he commit iniquity {H5753}, I will chasten {H3198} him with the rod {H7626} of men {H582}, and with the stripes {H5061} of the children {H1121} of men {H120}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I will be a father for him, and he will be a son for me. If he does something wrong, I will punish him with a rod and blows, just as everyone gets punished;

Berean Standard Bible

I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.

American Standard Version

I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 7:14 stands as a cornerstone of the Davidic Covenant, articulating God's profound promise to King David regarding his lineage. It declares an intimate, familial relationship where God pledges to be a father to David's successor, who in turn will be God's son. Crucially, the verse also introduces a conditional element of divine discipline, asserting that if this son commits iniquity, God will correct him through human means and natural consequences, rather than revoking the foundational covenant itself. This dual promise underscores both God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant and His commitment to righteous governance within the Davidic dynasty, ultimately pointing to a greater, eternal Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to the Davidic Covenant, recorded in its entirety in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). The chapter opens with King David, now settled in his palace, expressing a desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, feeling it inappropriate for God's presence to reside in a tent while he lives in a house of cedar ([2 Samuel 7:1-2](/2_samuel/7-1 "2 Samuel 7:1-2 - David's desire to build a temple")). The prophet Nathan initially approves, but that night, God speaks to Nathan, redirecting David's intentions. Instead of David building a "house" (temple) for God, God promises to build David a "house" (dynasty) and establish his kingdom forever ([2 Samuel 7:11-16](/2_samuel/7-11 "2 Samuel 7:11-16 - God's promise to David")). Verse 14 specifically addresses the nature of the relationship between God and David's immediate successor, Solomon, and the subsequent kings, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a future, perfect Son.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, covenants between kings and their vassals or between deities and rulers were common, often involving promises of protection and succession in exchange for loyalty. However, the Davidic Covenant transcends these, establishing a unique, unconditional, and eternal promise rooted in God's sovereign grace. The concept of "sonship" for a king was also prevalent, signifying a special relationship with the divine, but here, God Himself declares this adoption. The mention of "rod of men" and "stripes of the children of men" reflects a common understanding of discipline in the ancient world, where physical chastening or the consequences brought by human adversaries were recognized forms of correction for misdeeds, even for royalty. This contrasts with the more direct, often catastrophic, divine judgment seen in other biblical narratives, emphasizing that God's discipline here would be corrective, not destructive to the covenant itself.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") and particularly in verse 14 include **Divine Sonship**, where God establishes a unique, adoptive relationship with David's royal line, elevating the king to a status beyond mere servant. This sonship is the foundation for the **Enduring Covenant**—God's promise to maintain David's dynasty on the throne forever, a promise that remains even if individual kings fail. This leads to the theme of **Divine Discipline**, which is presented not as a revocation of the covenant but as a fatherly correction, designed to restore rather than destroy, as seen in the provision for chastening "with the rod of men" if iniquity is committed. Ultimately, these themes converge to highlight **Messianic Hope**, as the promises of an eternal kingdom and a perfect Son find their ultimate fulfillment not merely in Solomon or subsequent kings, but in the coming of Jesus Christ, the true Son of David who perfectly embodies divine sonship and reigns eternally without blemish.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chasten (Hebrew, _yasar'_):** This verb means "to instruct, to correct, to discipline, to admonish." It carries the connotation of training a child for their good, rather than merely punishing them. In this context, it signifies God's loving and purposeful correction of David's descendants, aimed at guiding them back to righteousness and maintaining the integrity of the covenant, rather than abandoning them. It implies a pedagogical intent, not a punitive one that would lead to destruction or annulment of the divine promise.
* **Rod of men (Hebrew, _shevet 'anashim'_):** The Hebrew word _shevet_ can refer to a "rod," "staff," or "scepter," often symbolizing authority or discipline. The phrase "rod of men" signifies that the discipline would come through human means or experiences, such as military defeat, political instability, or the actions of foreign nations. It contrasts with a direct, supernatural, or annihilating divine judgment, emphasizing that while God is the ultimate orchestrator, the consequences would manifest through the ordinary course of human events or the agency of other people, fitting within the human experience of kings and nations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will be his father, and he shall be my son."**: This declaration establishes an unprecedented, intimate, and familial relationship between God and David's royal successor. It is a covenantal adoption, elevating the king from a mere servant to a divinely chosen and beloved son. This relationship signifies God's deep personal investment and commitment to the Davidic line, providing a foundation for the king's authority and God's enduring favor. It is not merely a metaphor but a profound theological statement of divine election and care.
* **"If he commit iniquity,"**: This clause introduces a conditional element within the otherwise unconditional Davidic Covenant. It acknowledges the reality of human fallibility, even within a divinely chosen lineage. God foresees that David's descendants, like all humans, will be prone to sin and disobedience. This conditionality pertains to the *experience* of the individual king, not the *permanence* of the dynasty itself. The covenant promises an eternal throne, but the individual king's reign would be subject to God's righteous governance.
* **"I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:"**: This specifies the nature and means of God's discipline. "Chasten" implies corrective instruction, not destructive punishment. The "rod of men" and "stripes of the children of men" indicate that this discipline would come through human agencies or circumstances, such as military defeats, internal rebellions, or foreign oppression. It signifies that God would use the natural consequences of sin or the actions of other people to bring His chosen king to repentance and correction, ensuring that the covenant remained intact even through periods of royal unfaithfulness. This form of discipline underscores God's fatherly love, which seeks restoration rather than abandonment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the declaration, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son." This establishes a profound familial relationship between God and the Davidic king, transcending typical king-subject dynamics and indicating divine adoption and intimate care. This is not merely a figure of speech but a theological truth about God's covenantal bond. Additionally, there is an element of **Anthropomorphism** in the concept of God "chastening" with a "rod" and "stripes," attributing human actions and instruments of discipline to God to make His corrective action understandable. Finally, **Synecdoche** is present in "rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men," where the part (rod/stripes) stands for the whole (human means of discipline, including natural consequences, political adversity, or foreign invasion). This emphasizes that while God is the ultimate agent, the discipline would manifest through the ordinary, human sphere.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:14 is a pivotal text for understanding God's covenantal faithfulness, the nature of divine discipline, and the progressive revelation of divine sonship in Scripture. It demonstrates that God's unconditional promise to establish David's dynasty forever does not negate His commitment to righteousness within that line. The discipline described is not punitive in the sense of condemnation, but rather corrective and restorative, akin to a loving father's discipline of his child. This highlights God's enduring love and His desire for His people, and especially their leaders, to walk in integrity. The promise of sonship, initially applied to Solomon and subsequent kings, also lays crucial groundwork for the ultimate Son, the Messiah, whose perfect obedience would secure an eternal kingdom without the need for chastening.

* [Psalm 89:30-34](/psalms/89-30 "Psalm 89:30-34 - God's Covenant with David Confirmed")
* [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - The Value of Discipline")
* [Hebrews 12:5-8](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-8 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God's commitment to His promises is unwavering, even when we, His children, stumble. Just as He disciplined David's descendants to bring them back into alignment with His will, so too does our heavenly Father discipline us. This discipline is a mark of His love, not His rejection, designed to refine our character, correct our path, and draw us closer to Him. It encourages us to view difficulties and challenges not merely as random misfortunes, but potentially as God's loving hand guiding us, teaching us, and shaping us into the image of Christ. Recognizing this can transform our response to adversity from despair to humble submission and a renewed pursuit of holiness, trusting that God's ultimate aim is always our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as a "father" who disciplines His "son" (you) change your perspective on difficult circumstances in your life?**
* **In what ways might God be using "the rod of men" or "stripes of the children of men" (i.e., human means or natural consequences) to chasten or correct you today?**
* **How does the promise of God's enduring faithfulness to David's line, despite their failures, strengthen your trust in His faithfulness to His promises to you?**

### FAQ

**Does the "if he commit iniquity" clause make the Davidic Covenant conditional or unconditional?**

Answer: The Davidic Covenant, as a whole, is fundamentally unconditional in its promise of an eternal dynasty for David's line and an everlasting kingdom ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's promise of an eternal house")). The "if he commit iniquity" clause in [2 Samuel 7:14](/2_samuel/7-14 "2 Samuel 7:14 - God's discipline for David's son") refers to the *experience* of individual kings within that dynasty, not the *revocation* of the covenant itself. It means that while God would never abandon David's line or break His promise of an eternal throne, He would still discipline individual kings for their sin. This discipline would be corrective, like a father chastening a son, ensuring the integrity and righteousness of the kingdom, rather than destroying it. It's a conditional clause within an unconditional covenant, pertaining to the *means* of governance and the *welfare* of the king, not the *existence* of the dynasty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 7:14 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true Son of David. While the immediate promise applied to Solomon, and subsequent kings of Judah experienced the "rod of men" due to their iniquity, Jesus is the only descendant of David who perfectly embodies the "son" without ever committing "iniquity." He is the righteous King who never needed chastening, thereby securing the Davidic Covenant in an eternal and unblemished way. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), His sinless life and atoning death mean that the covenant's promise of an eternal throne is established not on the fluctuating obedience of human kings, but on His perfect righteousness. The angel Gabriel's prophecy to Mary explicitly connects Jesus to this covenant, declaring that "the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")). Thus, the promises of divine sonship and an eternal kingdom, hinted at in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), are perfectly realized in Christ, who is "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Supremacy of Christ")), and through whom God has spoken to us as His Son ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Speaks Through His Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 1:5

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

1 Chronicles 28:6

And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him [to be] my son, and I will be his father.

1 Chronicles 17:13

I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took [it] from [him] that was before thee:

Deuteronomy 8:5

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Jeremiah 30:11

For I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.