God’s Covenant with David(A)

Now it came to pass (B)when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in (C)a house of cedar, (D)but the ark of God dwells inside tent (E)curtains.”

Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your (F)heart, for the Lord is with you.”

But it happened that night that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: (G)“Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house (H)since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in (I)a tent and in a tabernacle. Wherever I have (J)moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded (K)to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: (L)“I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And (M)I have been with you wherever you have gone, (N)and have [a]cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will (O)plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; (P)nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11 (Q)since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord [b]tells you (R)that He will make you a [c]house.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:9 destroyed
  2. 2 Samuel 7:11 declares to you
  3. 2 Samuel 7:11 Royal dynasty

God’s Promise to David(A)

After the king was settled in his palace(B) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies(C) around him,(D) he said to Nathan(E) the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house(F) of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”(G)

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind,(H) go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you(I) the one to build me a house to dwell in?(J) I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.(K) I have been moving from place to place with a tent(L) as my dwelling.(M) Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,(N) did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd(O) my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house(P) of cedar?(Q)”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,(R) and appointed you ruler(S) over my people Israel.(T) I have been with you wherever you have gone,(U) and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.(V) Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.(W) 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant(X) them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.(Y) Wicked(Z) people will not oppress them anymore,(AA) as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[a](AB) over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.(AC)

“‘The Lord declares(AD) to you that the Lord himself will establish(AE) a house(AF) for you:

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:11 Traditionally judges

16 And (A)your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before [a]you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:16 LXX Me

16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[a]; your throne(A) will be established(B) forever.(C)’”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you

Remembering the Covenant with David, and Sorrow for Lost Blessings

A [a]Contemplation of (A)Ethan the Ezrahite.

89 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever;
(B)Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”

“I(C) have made a covenant with My chosen,
I have (D)sworn to My servant David:
‘Your seed I will establish forever,
And build up your throne (E)to all generations.’ ” Selah

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:1 Heb. Maschil

Psalm 89[a]

A maskil[b] of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing(A) of the Lord’s great love forever;
    with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known(B)
    through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.(C)
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
    I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
    and make your throne firm through all generations.’”[c](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:1 In Hebrew texts 89:1-52 is numbered 89:2-53.
  2. Psalm 89:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 89:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 37, 45 and 48.

19 Then You spoke in a vision to Your [a]holy one,
And said: “I have given help to one who is mighty;
I have exalted one (A)chosen from the people.
20 (B)I have found My servant David;
With My holy oil I have anointed him,
21 (C)With whom My hand shall be established;
Also My arm shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not [b]outwit him,
Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 I will beat down his foes before his face,
And plague those who hate him.

24 “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him,
And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
25 Also I will (D)set his hand over the sea,
And his right hand over the rivers.
26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are (E)my Father,
My God, and (F)the rock of my salvation.’

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:19 So with many Heb. mss.; MT, LXX, Tg., Vg. holy ones
  2. Psalm 89:22 Or exact usury from him

19 Once you spoke in a vision,
    to your faithful people you said:
“I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
    I have raised up a young man from among the people.
20 I have found David(A) my servant;(B)
    with my sacred oil(C) I have anointed(D) him.
21 My hand will sustain him;
    surely my arm will strengthen him.(E)
22 The enemy will not get the better of him;(F)
    the wicked will not oppress(G) him.
23 I will crush his foes before him(H)
    and strike down his adversaries.(I)
24 My faithful love will be with him,(J)
    and through my name his horn[a] will be exalted.
25 I will set his hand over the sea,
    his right hand over the rivers.(K)
26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,(L)
    my God, the Rock(M) my Savior.’(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:24 Horn here symbolizes strength.

Benediction

25 [a]Now (A)to Him who is able to establish you (B)according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (C)according to the revelation of the mystery (D)kept secret since the world began 26 but (E)now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for (F)obedience to the faith— 27 to (G)God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 16:25 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 after Rom. 14:23.

25 Now to him who is able(A) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,(B) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery(C) hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings(D) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[a] faith(E) 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 16:26 Or that is

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin (A)betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, (B)“Rejoice, highly favored one, (C)the Lord is with you; [a]blessed are you among women!”

29 But [b]when she saw him, (D)she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found (E)favor with God. 31 (F)And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and (G)shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, (H)and will be called the Son of the Highest; and (I)the Lord God will give Him the (J)throne of His (K)father David. 33 (L)And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [c]do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, (M)The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called (N)the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For (O)with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:28 NU omits blessed are you among women
  2. Luke 1:29 NU omits when she saw him
  3. Luke 1:34 Am a virgin

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel(A) to Nazareth,(B) a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,(C) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,(D) Mary; you have found favor with God.(E) 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.(F) 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.(G) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,(H) 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom(I) will never end.”(J)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(K) and the power of the Most High(L) will overshadow you. So the holy one(M) to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.(N) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(O) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(P)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,