2 Samuel 7:4 kjv
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
2 Samuel 7:4 nkjv
But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
2 Samuel 7:4 niv
But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:
2 Samuel 7:4 esv
But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,
2 Samuel 7:4 nlt
But that same night the LORD said to Nathan,
2 Samuel 7 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:1 | Now the LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country... | God initiates a call and revelation to Abram. |
| Ex 3:4 | When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him... | God speaks directly to Moses from the bush. |
| 1 Sam 3:10 | And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” | God personally reveals Himself to Samuel. |
| Isa 55:8-9 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... | God's plans transcend human understanding. |
| Ps 139:4 | Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. | God's immediate knowledge of all thoughts. |
| Amos 3:7 | For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants | God's communication to His prophets. |
| Jer 1:2 | The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of... | Example of God's word coming to a prophet. |
| Eze 1:3 | the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in... | Another instance of God's word to a prophet. |
| Hos 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Hosea... | Divine origin of prophetic message. |
| Zech 1:1 | In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD | Explicit statement of God's direct revelation. |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. | God's sovereignty over human intentions. |
| Ps 33:10-11 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the.. | God's ultimate control over plans. |
| Lam 3:37 | Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? | God's Word has supreme authority. |
| John 1:1,14 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...became flesh. | The ultimate fulfillment of "the Word of the LORD" in Christ. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers... Son. | God's ongoing revelation culminating in Christ. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching... | Inspiration and authority of God's written Word. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged... | Power and efficacy of God's Word. |
| Rom 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | God's unchanging faithfulness to His promises (covenant). |
| 1 Kin 17:1 | Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD.. | God directly sending His word to His prophets. |
| Jonah 1:1 | Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, | God’s direct command initiating a prophet’s mission. |
| Joel 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel. | Affirmation of God as the source of prophecy. |
| Hag 1:1 | In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month... word of the. | Indicating divine authority behind prophecy. |
| Zeph 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi... | Direct attribution of revelation to God. |
2 Samuel 7 verses
2 Samuel 7 4 Meaning
This verse marks a pivotal divine intervention where the Eternal God immediately and directly communicated His authoritative message to Nathan, the prophet. It signifies God's prompt and sovereign response to the previous human conversation between King David and Nathan, setting the stage for a critical revelation regarding God's eternal plan and covenant with David's house.
2 Samuel 7 4 Context
This verse is the turning point in 2 Samuel chapter 7. Previously, King David, settled in his palace, expresses a desire to build a "house" (temple) for God, since the Ark of the Covenant still resided in a tent. Nathan, a prophet, spontaneously affirmed David's good intentions, telling him, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you" (2 Sam 7:3). However, Nathan's approval was based on his own good judgment, not a divine directive. Immediately after this, in 2 Samuel 7:4, God intervenes to correct Nathan's presumptuous counsel and to reveal His true plan, which involved God building David a "house" (dynasty/lineage) rather than David building God a literal house. This chapter lays the foundational promise of the Davidic Covenant, central to biblical theology and the anticipation of the Messiah.
2 Samuel 7 4 Word analysis
- But: This conjunctive particle, "ויהי" (vayhi) in Hebrew, meaning "and it came to pass" or "now it happened," functions here as a strong contrast or shift. It signals an immediate and significant change of course from the previous narrative (Nathan’s human-advised approval of David’s plan).
- that same night: The Hebrew phrase "בלילה ההוא" (balaylah hahu) emphasizes the immediacy and divine urgency. There was no delay; God's word came to Nathan very swiftly, highlighting His omnipotence and direct engagement in the affairs of His people. This swiftness underscores that God's plan is not delayed by human error or misunderstanding.
- the word: The Hebrew "דבר" (davar) is more profound than just a sound; it signifies an utterance, a decree, a command, an event, or even an action. It carries inherent power and authority. When "the word" comes from God, it signifies a direct and authoritative revelation, carrying God’s purpose and will.
- of the LORD: "יהוה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, underscores His relational and active presence in Israel’s history. This isn't merely a message from a deity, but from the personal, covenant-keeping God who is deeply invested in His people's future. It signifies divine ownership and authority over the message.
- came: The verb suggests a direct, active transmission from God to Nathan, not a mere thought or inspiration. It's an arrival of truth that demands attention and obedience, indicating God’s direct initiative.
- to Nathan: The direct recipient is specified. God bypassed David in this initial communication to correct Nathan, reinforcing the proper channel of divine revelation and subtly affirming Nathan’s role as prophet, even while correcting his error.
- saying: The Hebrew "לאמר" (lemor) introduces the content of God's message that follows. It's a standard introductory particle for direct speech or quotation, indicating that the subsequent words are God's own words.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But that same night": This phrase dramatically sets the stage for a divine correction and intervention. It indicates God's instantaneous and direct response to Nathan's well-intentioned but unauthorized counsel to David. It underlines God's sovereignty over time and human plans.
- "the word of the LORD came": This entire phrase highlights the absolute authority and divine origin of the subsequent revelation. It's not a suggestion or an idea, but an unadulterated divine utterance that carries power and truth, a hallmark of prophetic literature emphasizing God’s active communication to humanity. This phrase is a staple of prophetic introductions throughout the Old Testament.
- "to Nathan, saying": This identifies the specific channel through which God chose to reveal His will and establishes that Nathan is now relaying a direct message from God, in contrast to his earlier human advice. It emphasizes Nathan’s prophetic office while also showing his humility and submission in receiving correction.
2 Samuel 7 4 Bonus section
- This verse illustrates a fundamental principle: genuine divine revelation is paramount. Even a prophet with good intentions, like Nathan, can offer advice outside God's direct counsel, and God reserves the right to immediately correct it.
- The immediate timing ("that same night") underscores God's omnipresence and constant engagement with His people's affairs. He hears every conversation and acts according to His perfect will, leaving no room for presumption to fester.
- This verse prepares the reader for the monumental covenant details in the verses that follow, which establish the everlasting nature of David's dynasty and set the stage for the coming of Christ as the ultimate heir to David’s throne.
2 Samuel 7 4 Commentary
2 Samuel 7:4 serves as a crucial moment in the biblical narrative, showcasing God's sovereignty and precise timing. After Nathan gives human counsel based on David’s good intentions but not on divine revelation, God immediately steps in. The phrase "that same night" highlights the urgency and immediacy of God's response, emphasizing that God's plans are not delayed by human reasoning, even from devout individuals. The explicit statement that "the word of the LORD came to Nathan" underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent revelation. This moment pivotally shifts the focus from David's desire to build God a house to God's eternal promise to build David an enduring "house" – a royal dynasty that culminates in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It subtly teaches that God's intentions always supersede man's, and His true word corrects and guides even well-meaning human endeavors.