2 Samuel 7:4

KJV

¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass that night {H3915}, that the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto Nathan {H5416}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

But that same night the word of ADONAI came to Natan:

Berean Standard Bible

But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,

American Standard Version

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of Jehovah came unto Nathan, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 7:4 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King David, immediately following his heartfelt desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant and the prophet Nathan's initial, humanly reasoned approval. This verse dramatically shifts the focus from human initiative to divine revelation, as the Lord directly intervenes "that night" to communicate His own, far grander plan to Nathan, thereby setting the stage for the foundational Davidic Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the crucial turning point in 2 Samuel 7. It immediately follows David's expression of his commendable desire to build a "house" for the Lord, feeling it inappropriate for him to live in a cedar palace while the Ark of God resided in a tent ([2 Samuel 7:1-2](/2_samuel/7-1 "2 Samuel 7:1-2 - David's Desire to Build a Temple")). Nathan, David's trusted prophet, initially affirmed David's plan, saying, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you" ([2 Samuel 7:3](/2_samuel/7-3 "2 Samuel 7:3 - Nathan's Initial Approval")). However, 2 Samuel 7:4 reveals that Nathan's counsel, though well-intentioned, was not divinely inspired. God's immediate intervention "that night" underscores the urgency and divine authority of the message that follows, which will correct Nathan and reveal God's eternal covenant with David, promising an enduring dynasty rather than a physical temple built by David himself.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in David's reign, he has consolidated his kingdom, achieved military victories, and brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center ([2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - The Ark Comes to Jerusalem")). Kings in the ancient Near East often demonstrated their piety and solidified their rule by building magnificent temples for their gods. David's desire to build a temple for Yahweh was thus culturally understandable and religiously commendable. Prophets like Nathan served as crucial intermediaries, receiving and delivering divine messages, often advising kings. The swiftness of God's intervention highlights the sanctity of prophetic utterance and the importance of distinguishing human wisdom from divine revelation.

* **Key Themes:** The verse introduces several key themes that permeate 2 Samuel 7 and beyond. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's plans supersede even the most devout human intentions. It highlights **Divine Revelation**, as God actively communicates His will directly to His chosen messenger, Nathan, emphasizing that true prophetic guidance originates solely from Him. This also introduces the theme of **God's Initiative**, showing that God is the primary actor in the unfolding of redemptive history, initiating covenants and orchestrating events according to His perfect timing and purpose. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Covenant**, specifically the Davidic Covenant, which will establish an eternal dynasty for David, ultimately pointing to the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Night (Hebrew, _laylah_):** The phrase "that night" emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of God's intervention. It suggests that God did not delay in correcting Nathan's premature approval, highlighting the importance of the message and the need for divine clarity in prophetic utterance. It also conveys a sense of direct, perhaps intimate, communication, occurring in the quiet hours when one might be most receptive to divine encounter.
* **Word of the LORD (Hebrew, _davar YHWH_):** This is a standard and powerful prophetic formula used extensively throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Genesis 15:1](/genesis/15-1 "Genesis 15:1 - The Word of the Lord Comes to Abram"), [Isaiah 1:10](/isaiah/1-10 "Isaiah 1:10 - The Word of the Lord to Judah")). It signifies that the message is not Nathan's own thought, opinion, or even well-intentioned human counsel, but a direct, authoritative, and infallible revelation from God Himself. Its use here immediately elevates the subsequent message to the highest level of divine truth.
* **Came unto Nathan (Hebrew, _hāya 'el Nathan_):** This phrase indicates a direct and personal communication from God to Nathan. It underscores Nathan's role as God's chosen intermediary for this crucial message to David. It implies a divine encounter, a specific moment when Nathan received the revelation, distinguishing it from general spiritual insight or human reasoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass that night":** This opening clause immediately establishes the temporal setting and the swiftness of God's response. It highlights the urgency with which God intervened to correct Nathan's earlier, humanly-derived counsel to David. The divine plan was so critical that it could not wait, signifying God's active and immediate involvement in the affairs of His people and His kingdom.
* **"that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan":** This clause is central, identifying the source and recipient of the message. It clearly states that the ensuing revelation is not Nathan's own idea or a product of his wisdom, but a direct, authoritative communication from Yahweh Himself. This formulation is a classic prophetic declaration, lending absolute divine authority to the words that follow and establishing Nathan as a true prophet delivering God's infallible will.
* **"saying":** This simple word introduces the direct speech of God, signaling the beginning of the divine oracle. It prepares the reader for the profound message that God is about to deliver, which will not only correct Nathan but also lay the theological foundation for the Davidic Covenant, redefining the nature of God's "house" and promising an eternal dynasty for David.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Intervention**, as God directly steps into the narrative to correct a human plan and reveal His own. This highlights God's active sovereignty over human affairs. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto Nathan" functions as a classic **Prophetic Formula**, a recurring literary convention throughout the Old Testament that immediately signals the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message to follow. This formula lends gravitas and infallibility to the oracle. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the momentous Davidic Covenant that God will reveal through Nathan, a covenant that will have profound theological implications for Israel's future and the coming Messiah. The contrast between Nathan's initial human approval and God's immediate divine correction also creates a subtle **Juxtaposition**, emphasizing the qualitative difference between human wisdom and divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:4 is a pivotal verse because it marks the precise moment God intervenes to redirect human initiative towards His sovereign, redemptive plan. It underscores that even the most devout and well-intentioned human desires must ultimately submit to God's higher purposes. This divine intervention establishes the supremacy of God's will over human wisdom, even that of a prophet like Nathan. It introduces the theme of God's active involvement in history, not merely reacting to human proposals but initiating and orchestrating events to fulfill His promises. This verse sets the stage for the Davidic Covenant, a foundational theological promise that shapes Israel's understanding of kingship, the temple, and the coming Messiah.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher")
* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - A Prophet Like Moses")
* [Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48-50 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Human Hands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our most earnest desires and well-intentioned plans, even those seemingly for God's glory, may not always align with His perfect will. Just as Nathan, a prophet, spoke prematurely, we too can sometimes rely on our own good judgment rather than waiting for clear divine direction. The immediacy of God's intervention "that night" challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and constant dependence on God, seeking His "word" before acting. It encourages us to trust that God's plans are always superior, more expansive, and ultimately more glorious than anything we could conceive. Our role is not to dictate to God but to discern and align with His sovereign purposes, even when they redirect our most cherished ambitions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between my own good intentions and God's specific will for my life or ministry?**
* **What does Nathan's experience teach me about the importance of humility and waiting on God's timing, even when I feel confident in my own judgment?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be trying to "build a house for God" based on my own wisdom, rather than waiting for His divine word?**

### FAQ

**Why did God intervene so quickly after Nathan's initial approval of David's plan?**

Answer: God intervened immediately ("that night") for several crucial reasons. First, it was to prevent David from proceeding with a plan that, while well-intentioned, was not in line with God's ultimate purpose. God had a different, more profound "house" in mind for David—an enduring dynasty, not a physical temple built by David himself. Second, it underscored God's absolute sovereignty; His plans are not reactive to human proposals but are divinely initiated and executed. Third, it served as a correction for Nathan, emphasizing the weight and responsibility of prophetic utterance and ensuring that God's true message was delivered without human admixture. This swift intervention also paved the way for the revelation of the Davidic Covenant, a foundational promise in redemptive history, which God was eager to establish.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 7:4, by initiating God's response to David, sets in motion the profound theological trajectory that culminates in Jesus Christ. The "word of the LORD" that came to Nathan was not merely a redirection concerning a physical temple; it was the unveiling of God's plan to build David an eternal "house"—a dynasty that would never end. This promise, articulated fully in the Davidic Covenant ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")), finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus. He is the true Son of David, born of David's lineage, whose kingdom is eternal and whose throne is established forever ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus, Son of David, King Forever")). While Solomon built a physical temple, Jesus declared Himself to be the true temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity, whose body would be destroyed and raised in three days ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). Moreover, Christ is the builder of a spiritual house, the church, composed of living stones ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), far surpassing any physical structure. Thus, the divine intervention in 2 Samuel 7:4, which initially seemed to deny David's desire, ultimately opened the door to a greater reality: God's eternal kingdom established through the true King, Jesus, who is both the promised heir of David's throne and the ultimate dwelling place of God.

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 17:3

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

Numbers 12:6

And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.