提要
在大衛的領導之下，以色列國重燃敬拜上帝的熱心，將約櫃運回都城就是一個明顯的例子（6：15）。不過，大衛覺得自己住在美侖美奐的宮殿（由推羅工匠所造，5：11），約櫃，天上君王的寶座卻屈居帳幕，實在很不恰當。
大衛思考這件事是在上帝使他安靖、不被四圍仇敵侵擾的那段時期（7：1）。那可能是在第八章所載的諸多戰役之後的事。大衛秉公行義（8：15）、順服天上的君王，上帝就使這個小小的以色列國成為地上最強而有力的國家。他們征服了非利士、摩押、亞蘭、以東、亞捫、和亞瑪力人。從這些屬國中，以色列得到極大的財富，不只來自爭戰所得的戰利品和當地的自然資源，也來自他們進貢的金、銀、銅等寶物。以色列人將這些貢物獻給上帝（8：11），並且，毫無疑問的，將它們留作建殿之用。撒母耳記並非按年代記事，而是主題性的敘述，所以我們在讀完約櫃被運回耶路撒冷後，作者就提及大衛想為上帝建殿的心願。
大衛在採取任何行動之前都很小心的詢問上帝。許多人都想為上帝做一些事，但他們必須先確定那些主意是主所贊許的。先知拿單在大衛的生命中扮演重要的角色，上帝藉著拿單向大衛傳達祂的旨意，也賜給大衛一個偉大的應許──聖經在別處稱此應許為「約」（23：5；詩89：3~4）。我們則稱它為大衛之約。
上帝告訴大衛，祂不要大衛為祂建殿，但上帝卻應許，大衛的兒子，接續他為王的，乃要為上帝建殿。大衛在位期間經歷了太多的爭戰，因為他是上帝任命來拯救以色列人脫離他們敵人的。相反的，所羅門執政期間，國內平安無事，是為上帝建殿的較佳時機。大衛了解到，他離世的日子可能即將來臨了（代上22：8；28：3）。
上帝用優美的詞句三次，重覆祂對大衛的應許：祂要堅立大衛的家，大衛的國度和寶座必存到永遠（7：13、16）。這個應許在大衛的接班人，所羅門身上只應驗了一部分，並且，地上的國度也不可能存到永遠。只有當耶穌，從大衛譜系所出的彌賽亞出現，才可能有真正存到永遠的王朝。大衛之約在耶穌基督，大衛最偉大的後裔身上得到最終的應驗（賽9：6~7；路1：31~33；徒3：29~33；13：22~23；來1：5）。
上帝對大衛恩典的約是無條件的（7：14~15），上帝保證祂會從大衛的後裔中賜給人類一位公義之君，並且帶給人類救恩。上帝也信守祂的應許，差派耶穌到世上來──祂在地上的家譜的確可溯至大衛。耶穌現在仍然，將來也必永遠，坐在寶座上。哈利路亞！祂必作王直到永遠！
大衛帶著敬畏和驚異的心回應這份不配得的恩典。他謙卑的禱告反應出他對上帝這份奇妙恩典的感激。雖然大衛並不完全了解上帝應許中的所有含意，但他仍然順服上帝的旨意，並相信上帝會使這些應許──實現。
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Overview
Under David's leadership, the nation of Israel had a regained interest in the worship of God, as is evident in the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to a place of prominence (6:15). However, David felt that since he had a beautiful palace (built by Phoenecian craftsmen; 5:11) it was not fitting that the Ark of the Lord, the throne of their heavenly King, should be housed in a tent.
David had contemplated this matter during a time when God had given him peace from the surrounding enemies (7:1). This was probably after the military victories recorded in chapter eight. Under David's reign of justice (8:15) and obedience to the divine King, God caused the small insignificant nation of Israel to become the most powerful kingdom on earth. They subjected the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Edomites, Ammonites, and Amalekites. From them they gained great wealth, not only from the spoil and the natural resources in these conquered areas, but also from their tribute of silver, gold, and bronze, which were dedicated to the Lord (8:11) and no doubt reserved for the building of the temple. The book of Samuel was not written chronologically but rather topically; therefore, we read of David's desire to build the temple to house the Ark after he brought it up to Jerusalem.
David was careful to enquire of the Lord before he took any action. Many people have ideas to do something for the Lord, but they must first be sure those ideas are approved by God. The prophet Nathan, who played an important role in the life of David, was the instrument through whom God conveyed His will to David and gave great and wonderful promises to David which are elsewhere in Scripture referred to as a covenant (23:5, Psalm 89:3-4). We refer to it as the Davidic Covenant.
David was informed that God did not approve of his building the temple; rather, He promised that his son, who would succeed him, would be the builder. David's reign was one of much war, since he had been commissioned by God to bring about Israel's deliverance from their enemies. Conversely, Solomon's reign was peaceful, a much better time to build a house for the Lord. David came to understand this probably near the end of his life (1 Chronicles 22:8; 28:3).
With beautiful expressive words, the Lord repeated three times the promise to David that He would build a house for David and that his house, kingdom, and throne would last forever (7:13, 16). This revelation of God was only partly fulfilled by Solomon, who succeeded David on the throne and built a temple for the Lord, yet it is impossible for an earthly kingdom to last forever. Only when David's lineage is linked with Jesus, the Messiah from the line of David, can there truly be a dynasty that will last forever. This covenant, then, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the great Son of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 3:29-33; 13:22-23; Hebrews 1:5).
God's gracious covenant to David was unconditional (7:14-15), guaranteeing that He would indeed bring to mankind a righteous King from the line of David who would bring salvation. God kept His promise in sending Jesus, whose earthly lineage was traced back to David. Jesus is still, and will ever be, on the throne. Hallelujah! He shall reign forever and ever!
David responded with awe and wonder at the undeserved favour God had shown him. His prayer reflects his humility and gratitude to God for such wonderful grace. Although David did not fully understand all the implications of God's promises, he still surrendered to God's will and trusted Him to bring them to pass.
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