2 Samuel 7:17

KJV

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

KJV (with Strong's)

According to all these words {H1697}, and according to all this vision {H2384}, so did Nathan {H5416} speak {H1696} unto David {H1732}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Natan told David all of these words and described this entire vision.

Berean Standard Bible

So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire vision.

American Standard Version

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 7:17 serves as a crucial concluding statement to the divine revelation given to Nathan concerning King David. It affirms Nathan's unwavering faithfulness in precisely relaying God's message and vision to David, without adding or subtracting anything. This verse underscores the integrity of the prophetic word, confirming that the monumental Davidic Covenant, promising an eternal dynasty and kingdom, was indeed a direct and unadulterated communication from God Himself, not a product of human design or interpretation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the pivotal narrative of the Davidic Covenant in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). The chapter begins with King David, now settled in his palace, expressing a noble desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, feeling it inappropriate for God's dwelling to be a mere tent while he resided in a grand house ([2 Samuel 7:1-2](/2_samuel/7-1 "2 Samuel 7:1-2 - David's Desire to Build a Temple")). Initially, the prophet Nathan encourages David's plan ([2 Samuel 7:3](/2_samuel/7-3 "2 Samuel 7:3 - Nathan's Initial Approval")), but that very night, God intervenes, speaking directly to Nathan. God clarifies that David will not build Him a "house" (temple); rather, God will build David a "house" (dynasty), establishing an eternal kingdom and throne through his lineage ([2 Samuel 7:4-16](/2_samuel/7-4 "2 Samuel 7:4-16 - God's Covenant with David")). Verse 17 acts as the narrative's resolution, confirming that Nathan, having received this profound and perhaps unexpected divine word, faithfully delivered it to David exactly as God commanded.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign marked a period of significant consolidation and expansion for Israel, with Jerusalem established as the capital and a central place for worship. In the ancient Near East, kings often built grand temples to their gods, which served to legitimize their rule and demonstrate their piety. David's desire to build a temple for Yahweh fits within this cultural expectation. However, God's response in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") subverts this expectation, demonstrating His sovereignty and His unique relationship with Israel. The concept of a "house" (Hebrew: *bayit*) held a dual meaning: a physical dwelling place and a lineage or dynasty. God's promise to build David an enduring "house" (dynasty) rather than allowing David to build a "house" (temple) for God highlights a theological distinction: God is the initiator of His plans and purposes, not merely a recipient of human endeavors. Prophets like Nathan served as vital conduits of divine communication, often challenging or redirecting royal initiatives based on God's revealed will.

* **Key Themes:** The faithfulness of Nathan in delivering God's message highlights the theme of **Prophetic Integrity and Obedience**. A true prophet speaks only what God has commanded, even if it contradicts initial human expectations or desires. This passage also powerfully introduces and defines the **Davidic Covenant**, a foundational theological concept in Israel's history, promising an eternal dynasty, kingdom, and throne for David's lineage. This covenant underscores God's **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that His plans supersede human aspirations and that He is the one who builds and establishes. The contrast between David's desire to build a physical temple and God's promise to build an enduring spiritual "house" for David emphasizes the theme of **God's Unforeseen Ways** and the **Nature of God's Kingdom**, which is not confined to physical structures but extends through an eternal lineage. Ultimately, this covenant points to a future, everlasting king, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament, as seen in the promises concerning Jesus in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel Gabriel's Message to Mary").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Words (Hebrew, _dāḇār'_):** This term refers to specific utterances, commands, or promises. In this context, it signifies the precise verbal content of God's message to Nathan, encompassing the detailed promises and declarations of the Davidic Covenant found in [2 Samuel 7:8-16](/2_samuel/7-8 "2 Samuel 7:8-16 - The Specifics of the Davidic Covenant"). Nathan's delivery was not a summary or an interpretation, but an exact reproduction of the divine pronouncements.
* **Vision (Hebrew, _marʾeh'_):** While "words" emphasizes verbal content, "vision" suggests a broader divine revelation, perhaps an inner perception or a comprehensive understanding of God's plan. It implies that Nathan grasped not only the specific statements but also the full scope and implications of God's eternal purpose for David's house, ensuring that the spirit as well as the letter of the message was conveyed.
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dibbēr'_):** This verb denotes a direct, authoritative, and often complete communication, implying that Nathan functioned as God's mouthpiece. The repetition of "according to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak" emphasizes the exact correspondence between the divine message and Nathan's delivery, highlighting his integrity and the authenticity of the message David received.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"According to all these words":** This phrase emphasizes Nathan's meticulous adherence to the specific verbal instructions and promises God gave him. It underscores that the message David received was not Nathan's own counsel or interpretation, but a direct recitation of God's explicit declarations concerning David's lineage and kingdom.
* **"and according to all this vision":** This complements the preceding phrase by indicating that Nathan also conveyed the full scope and underlying divine purpose of God's revelation. It suggests that Nathan understood and communicated not just the individual statements but the entire divine panorama of God's plan for David's "house," ensuring David grasped the comprehensive nature of the covenant.
* **"so did Nathan speak unto David":** This concluding clause confirms the faithful execution of Nathan's prophetic duty. It signifies that Nathan delivered the message without alteration, embellishment, or omission, directly to King David. This act of precise communication validates the divine origin and authority of the Davidic Covenant for both David and subsequent generations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** through the phrases "according to all these words" and "according to all this vision." This doubling serves to underscore the absolute fidelity of Nathan's transmission of the divine message, leaving no doubt that David received the exact revelation from God. It highlights the completeness and precision of the prophetic word. Furthermore, the verse acts as a point of **Narrative Closure** for the immediate prophetic encounter, confirming that the divine communication has been successfully delivered. There is also a subtle **Verbal Irony** at play in the broader chapter, which this verse solidifies: David desired to build a "house" (temple) for God, but God, through Nathan, reveals His intention to build a "house" (dynasty) for David, demonstrating God's sovereign initiative over human plans.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:17 profoundly underscores the reliability and integrity of God's prophetic word. Nathan's faithful and precise delivery of the Davidic Covenant serves as a powerful testament to the fact that God's messages, when truly from Him, are unadulterated and trustworthy. This principle extends beyond Nathan to all true prophets and, ultimately, to the inspired Scriptures themselves. It assures us that what God communicates, He communicates clearly and completely, leaving no room for human alteration. The accuracy of Nathan's report validates the covenant's divine origin, establishing it as an unchangeable promise from the sovereign Lord, not a negotiable human agreement. This foundational truth gives believers confidence in the enduring nature of God's promises throughout history and into eternity, reinforcing that His word is immutable and His plans will always come to fruition.

* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - God's Promise of a Prophet Like Moses")
* [Jeremiah 1:7](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah 1:7 - God's Words in Jeremiah's Mouth")
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nathan's unwavering commitment to delivering God's message precisely, "according to all these words, and according to all this vision," offers a profound model for all who seek to communicate divine truth today. It challenges us to handle God's word with utmost reverence, ensuring that our teaching, preaching, and personal witness accurately reflect what God has revealed, rather than being tainted by personal opinions, cultural pressures, or selective interpretations. This verse also provides immense comfort, reminding us that the God who spoke so precisely to Nathan is the same God whose promises to us in Scripture are equally reliable and true. In a world of shifting sands and broken promises, the immutability of God's word, as exemplified by Nathan's faithfulness, is an anchor for the soul. It calls us to trust in God's sovereign plans, even when they differ from our own desires or expectations, knowing that His "house" (His kingdom and purposes) will endure forever.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Nathan's faithfulness in delivering God's message challenge us to accurately convey truth in our own lives and ministries?**
* **What comfort can we draw from the assurance that God's promises, like the Davidic Covenant, are delivered precisely and are therefore utterly trustworthy?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to substitute our own plans or interpretations for God's revealed will, and how can Nathan's example redirect us?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important that Nathan spoke "according to all these words, and according to all this vision"?**

Answer: This emphasis is crucial because it validates the divine origin and integrity of the message. It underscores that the profound Davidic Covenant, with its far-reaching implications for Israel's future and the coming Messiah, was not a product of Nathan's own wisdom or David's aspirations, but a direct and unadulterated revelation from God. By stating that Nathan spoke "according to all these words, and according to all this vision," the text assures David (and the reader) that the message was precisely what God intended, without human addition, subtraction, or distortion. This precision ensures the covenant's authority and immutability, establishing it as a reliable divine promise. It highlights Nathan's prophetic integrity, setting him apart as a true prophet who faithfully conveyed God's will, as seen in [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Distinguishing a True Prophet").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise delivery of the Davidic Covenant in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), affirmed by Nathan's faithfulness in [2 Samuel 7:17](/2_samuel/7-17 "2 Samuel 7:17 - Nathan's Faithful Delivery"), finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. God's promise to build David an eternal "house," an enduring kingdom, and a perpetual throne is not realized in a mere earthly dynasty but in the person and reign of Jesus, the Son of David. The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary explicitly connects Jesus to this ancient promise: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")). Peter, in his Pentecost sermon, declares that David, being a prophet, foresaw the resurrection of the Christ, who would sit on his throne ([Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). Jesus is the one true King, the eternal heir to David's throne, whose kingdom is spiritual and everlasting, not bound by earthly limitations or the failures of human kings. He is the ultimate "seed" promised to David ([2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "The Promise of David's Seed")), through whom God's eternal purposes for salvation and dominion are perfectly realized. The faithfulness of Nathan in delivering God's word foreshadows the perfect faithfulness of God in fulfilling every jot and tittle of His covenant promises in Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the Root and the Offspring of David ([Revelation 22:16](/revelation/22-16 "Revelation 22:16 - Jesus, the Root and Offspring of David")).

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

1 Chronicles 17:15

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Acts 20:20

[And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.