2 Samuel 7:3
And Nathan replied to the king, "Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."
So Nathan told David
Nathan, a prophet of God, plays a crucial role in the narrative of David's reign. His name in Hebrew, נָתָן (Natan), means "He has given," which is fitting as Nathan is a divine messenger. Nathan's relationship with David is one of both support and accountability, reflecting the role of prophets in Israel as both advisors and correctors. Historically, prophets were seen as the mouthpieces of God, and Nathan's presence signifies divine approval and guidance in David's life.

Do all that is in your heart
This phrase suggests a deep trust and confidence in David's intentions. The Hebrew word for "heart," לֵב (lev), often denotes the inner self, including thoughts, emotions, and will. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was considered the seat of decision-making and moral character. Nathan's encouragement implies that David's desires align with God's will, highlighting the harmony between divine purpose and human initiative when one's heart is attuned to God.

for the LORD is with you
The assurance that "the LORD is with you" is a powerful affirmation of God's presence and favor. The Hebrew name for God used here, יְהוָה (YHWH), is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and relational commitment to His people. This phrase echoes the covenantal promises made to the patriarchs and to Israel, reinforcing the idea that God's presence is a source of strength and success. Historically, the presence of God was seen as essential for victory and blessing, and this assurance would have been profoundly encouraging to David as he contemplated his plans.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nathan
A prophet during the reign of King David, Nathan served as a spiritual advisor and was instrumental in conveying God's messages to David. His role was crucial in guiding the king according to God's will.

2. King David
The second king of Israel, known for his deep faith and leadership. At this point in the account, David desires to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant, reflecting his devotion to God.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is central to the account. His presence and guidance are pivotal in the unfolding events of David's reign.

4. The Ark of the Covenant
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the focal point of David's desire to build a temple, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

5. Jerusalem
The city where David established his kingdom and where he intended to build the temple, making it the spiritual and political center of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Role of Spiritual Advisors
Nathan's initial response to David underscores the importance of having godly counsel. Spiritual advisors can provide encouragement and guidance, but they must also be open to correction and further revelation from God.

Desires Aligned with God's Will
While David's desire to build a temple was noble, it was essential for him to seek God's will. Our plans, even when well-intentioned, should be submitted to God's greater purpose.

God's Presence and Guidance
Nathan's assurance that "the LORD is with you" reminds us of the importance of God's presence in our endeavors. We should seek His guidance in all our plans and actions.

The Importance of Listening to God
Nathan's later correction (not included in this verse) teaches us the importance of listening to God and being willing to change course when He reveals His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Nathan's initial response to David reflect the role of a spiritual advisor, and how can we apply this in seeking counsel today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our desires and plans align with God's will, as seen in David's desire to build a temple?

3. How does the assurance of God's presence, as Nathan gives to David, impact our confidence in pursuing our goals?

4. Reflect on a time when you had to change your plans based on God's guidance. How did this experience shape your understanding of His will?

5. How can we discern when our plans need to be adjusted according to God's direction, and what scriptures can guide us in this process?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 17:2
This parallel account of Nathan's initial response to David's desire to build a temple provides additional context and emphasizes the consistency of God's message through His prophets.

Psalm 37:4
This verse speaks to the idea of God granting the desires of the heart when one delights in Him, reflecting the initial encouragement Nathan gives to David.

Proverbs 16:9
This verse highlights the theme of human plans versus divine direction, which is evident in Nathan's initial response and the subsequent revelation from God.
The Lord is with TheeB. Dale 2 Samuel 7:3
The Prophet NathanB. Dale 2 Samuel 7:3
Communion with GodH. E. Stone.2 Samuel 7:1-17
Concern for Religious ThingsJ. Robertson.2 Samuel 7:1-17
David's Desire to Build a TempleC. Ness.2 Samuel 7:1-17
Proposal to Build a TempleW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 7:1-17
Purpose in LifeH. O. Mackey.2 Samuel 7:1-17
Remembering God's House2 Samuel 7:1-17
Self-Denying Grace Needed in the ChurchJ. Robertson.2 Samuel 7:1-17
Significance of the Ark Within CurtainsA. Maclaren, D. D.2 Samuel 7:1-17
The Church Contrasted with the PalaceSunday School Times2 Samuel 7:1-17
The Intended TempleJ. Parker, D. D.2 Samuel 7:1-17
The Sanctuary for the PeopleJ. D. Fulton, D. D.2 Samuel 7:1-17
People
Adam, David, Israelites, Nathan, Saul
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Ahead, Heart, Mind, Nathan, Replied, Whatever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 7:1-7

     5089   David, significance

2 Samuel 7:1-29

     8131   guidance, results

2 Samuel 7:2-7

     7306   ark of the covenant

Library
David's Gratitude
'Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto? 19. And this was yet a small thing in Thy sight, O Lord God; but Thou hast spoken also of Thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord God? 20. And what can David say more unto Thee? for Thou, Lord God, knowest Thy servant. 21. For Thy word's sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou done all these great things,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Good Shepherd: a Farewell Sermon
John 10:27-28 -- "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." It is a common, and I believe, generally speaking, my dear hearers, a true saying, that bad manners beget good laws. Whether this will hold good in every particular, in respect to the affairs of this world, I am persuaded the observation is very pertinent in respect to the things of another: I mean bad manners,
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

The Plea of Faith
It is a prayer to God. Those words naturally flowed from his lips: after hearing such precious promises, he was anxious for their fulfilment. Such words will be equally in place, if they shall be adopted by us in these modern times, and if, after reading a promise, on turning to God's Word, we should finish by saying, "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope," it will be a practical application of the text, "Do as thou hast said." I shall not commence my sermon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

2 Samuel xxiii. 1-7.
The last words of David are comprehended in seven verses; and these, again, are subdivided into sections of five and two [Pg 153] verses respectively. First, there is a description of the fulness of blessings which the dominion of the just ruler shall carry along with it, and then of the destruction which shall overtake hostile wickedness. It is not by accident that these last words are not found in the collection of Psalms. The reason is indicated by the [Hebrew: naM] There is a prophetic element
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

David's Prohibited Desire and Permitted Service
'Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the Lord God of Israel. 7. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God: 8. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto My name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in My sight. 9. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

David Appointing Solomon
'Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29. And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30. Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31. Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Dying King's Last vision and Psalm
'Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2. The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue. 3. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Song of Solomon.
An important link in the chain of the Messianic hopes is formed by the Song of Solomon. It is intimately associated with Ps. lxxii., which was written by Solomon, and represents the Messiah as the Prince of Peace, imperfectly prefigured by Solomon as His type. As in this Psalm, so also in the Song of Solomon, the coming of the Messiah forms the subject throughout, and He is introduced there under the name of Solomon, the Peaceful One. His coming shall be preceded by severe afflictions, represented
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Exalted One.
Hebrews i. SOME thirty-five years ago, when the so-called "Higher Criticism" had begun its destructive work, a believer living in England, predicted that within thirty years the storm would gather over one sacred head. How this has come true! Satan's work of undermining the authority of the Bible, a pernicious work still going on, is but the preliminary to an attack of the Person of Christ. To-day as never before the glorious Person of our Lord is being belittled in the camp of Christendom. This
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The King --Continued.
In our last chapter we have seen that the key-note of "The Songs of the King" may be said to be struck in Psalm xviii. Its complete analysis would carry us far beyond our limits. We can but glance at some of the more prominent points of the psalm. The first clause strikes the key-note. "I love Thee, O Jehovah, my strength." That personal attachment to God, which is so characteristic of David's religion, can no longer be pent up in silence, but gushes forth like some imprisoned stream, broad and full
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He Associates with Malchus
[Sidenote: 1095.] 1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137]
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter xxii (Circa A. D. 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas
To Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas Bernard consoles him under the persecution of which he is the object. The most pious endeavours do not always have the desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1. I have learned with much pain by your letter the persecution that you are enduring for the sake of righteousness, and although the consolation given you by Christ in the promise of His kingdom may suffice amply for
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Gospel of the Kingdom.
"This is He whom Seers in old time Chanted of with one accord; Whom the voices of the Prophets Promised in their faithful word." We have seen that, in the providence of God, John the Baptist was sent to proclaim to the world that "The Kingdom of Heaven" was at hand, and to point out the King. And as soon as the Herald had raised the expectation of men by the proclamation of the coming Kingdom, our Lord began His public ministry, the great object of which was the founding of His Kingdom for the salvation
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death,
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob,
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Divine Jesus.
Jehovah-Jesus: John 1:1-18. the intimacy of John, John 13:23. 19:26. 20:2. 21:7, 20. "with Jesus," John 18:15.--John writes of Jesus--- when he wrote--getting the range--his literary style--the beginning--the Word--this was Jesus--the tragic tone. God's Spokesman: the Creator was Jehovah--- Jehovah is Jesus--the Spokesman--Old Testament revelations, Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the elders of Israel, Isaiah, Ezekiel,--Whom these saw--various ways of speaking--John's Gospel
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient,
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Links
2 Samuel 7:3 NIV
2 Samuel 7:3 NLT
2 Samuel 7:3 ESV
2 Samuel 7:3 NASB
2 Samuel 7:3 KJV

2 Samuel 7:3 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Samuel 7:2
Top of Page
Top of Page