Rise and Fall: Camelot
2 Samuel 7 – 8
March 24, 2024
Jay Haugh
Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, —2 Samuel 7:1 ESV
David feels embarrassed.
the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” —2 Samuel 7:2 ESV
David’s commitment to God.
And Nathan said to the king,“Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” —2 Samuel 7:3 ESV
God’s response to Nathan.
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day… did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel…saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ —2 Samuel 7:4-7 ESV
God’s commitment to David.
“Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.’” —2 Samuel 7:8-9 ESV
God makes David great so that David will be a blessing to His people.
“And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.” —2 Samuel 7:10-11 ESV
You can’t outgive God.
God doesn’t make David great for himself.
“Greatness is a shadow. When you pursue it, it’s always in front of you. When you run from it, it clings to your heels.” —Matthew Henry
The Davidic Covenant.
‘And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. —2 Samuel 7:16-17 ESV
“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 ESV
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” “And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!” —2 Samuel 7:18-19 ESV
David responds with praise.
“Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” —2 Samuel 7:22 ESV
“And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?” —2 Samuel 7:23 ESV
After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. —2 Samuel 8:1 ESV
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. —2 Samuel 8:9-10 ESV
These also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued. —2 Samuel 8:11 ESV
The height of Israel’s glory.
So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. —2 Samuel 8:15 ESV
Big Idea:
To the one whose purpose is to exalt and honor God, God will exalt and honor him.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: 2 Samuel 7:22 NIV
How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
These questions aim to foster meaningful discussion and encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word to lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
When Nathan tells David “Go and do all that is on your heart, for the Lord is with you,” it shows that David’s heart was filled with this question: “What can I do for God?” What does it look like in your life to magnify the name of God? What are some of the challenges you face in trying to live a life that exalts God?
God is blessing David for the purpose of bringing blessing to the nation. In what ways are you blessed? How strongly do you hold onto the resources God has blessed you with? Share about a time when you blessed someone and the impact that had on them and you.
Part of God’s response to David was “I never commanded anyone to do it.” David wanted to do more than God commanded. Have you ever similarly desired to do more than God asked? Conversely, how often have you thought, “What is the bare minimum I need to do in order to please the Lord?” What are some factors that can keep us from being motivated to go above and beyond?
God graciously turned down David’s offer to build Him a house. When you feel God telling you “No,” how does that make you feel? David understands that even though he is not the one to build a Temple, someone in the future will. Read 1 Chronicles 29:2-9. If you wanted the lead, would you still be zealous to be a supporting member?
While verses 14-15 are spoken in the context of the Davidic Covenant, what are some aspects of it that echo our relationship with God today? As a child of God, how do you experience the same kind of fatherly love from God that David did? Do you ever feel God’s discipline in your life? If so, how can we respond in a way that draws us closer to Him?
Verses 4-17 are known as the Davidic Covenant. How is this covenant being fulfilled, even today? Read 2 Samuel 7:16 & Luke 1:32-33. What similarities do you see in these two passages? What does Jesus being from the kingly line of David mean to you and your understanding of who Jesus is?
Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29
David begins his prayer by asking “Who am I, Sovereign LORD?” What does this question reveal about David’s view of himself in relation to God? David later refers to himself as “Your servant” many times in his prayer. What is your posture when approaching the Lord? How does our posture and mindset shape our prayers?
Read 2 Samuel 8
David’s victories establish a powerful kingdom that draws attention from other Gentile nations. How can we contribute to building God’s kingdom here on earth? What can we do to draw positive attention from non-believers? What role do you see yourself filling in the expansion of God’s kingdom?