2 Samuel 7:1

Authorized King James Version

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And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֕י H1961
וַיְהִ֕י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָשַׁ֥ב sat H3427
יָשַׁ֥ב sat
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ And it came to pass when the king H4428
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ And it came to pass when the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 4 of 11
a king
בְּבֵית֑וֹ in his house H1004
בְּבֵית֑וֹ in his house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 5 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַֽיהוָ֛ה and the LORD H3068
וַֽיהוָ֛ה and the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֵנִיחַֽ had given him rest H5117
הֵנִיחַֽ had given him rest
Strong's: H5117
Word #: 7 of 11
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
ל֥וֹ H0
ל֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 11
מִסָּבִ֖יב round about H5439
מִסָּבִ֖יב round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 9 of 11
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
מִכָּל H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹֽיְבָֽיו׃ from all his enemies H341
אֹֽיְבָֽיו׃ from all his enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 11 of 11
hating; an adversary

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

This verse contributes to the narrative of Davidic Covenant, emphasizing eternal promises, Messianic hope. The Davidic Covenant represents one of Scripture's most significant theological developments, promising an eternal dynasty culminating in Messiah. The Hebrew bayit (בַּיִת, 'house') functions as wordplay—David wanted to build God a house (temple), but God promises to build David a house (dynasty). Cross-references to Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 23:5, and New Testament passages (Luke 1:32-33, Acts 2:30) demonstrate this covenant's centrality to redemptive history.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 7 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding eternal promises, Messianic hope provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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