Lectionary Year B
July 20, 2003
II Samuel 7:1-14a

Step I: Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) Here's how the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version differ:

1 in his palace - NIV
in his house - NRSV

6 with a tent as my dwelling. - NIV
in a tent and a tabernacle. - NRSV

8 the LORD Almighty - NIV
the LORD of hosts - NRSV

13 He is the one who will build the house for my Name, - NIV
He shall build a house for my name, - NRSV

B. Textural Criticism

(JFC) 1 I Chronicles 17:1 lacks this part of this verse, `wyb'y>ao-lK'mi bybiS'mi Al-x;ynIhe hw"hyw:, which would make it a shorter version, but without this said, we might wonder at how much peace David could get by merely resting in his abode. 2 For haer>, a qal, imperative of "look/see/inspect/consider", Chronicles reads hNehi, an adverb or demonstrative interjection of a similar and more common word, meaning "behold", leaving it the same length and seemingly unnecessary to change, unless the conversation is less dramatic than it seems to be here upon this early reading. Then for ~yhil{a/h' !Ara]w, "and the Ark of Elohim/God", Chronicles has hw"hy. triB., "the covenant of Yahweh", which is a little shorter yet might change the emphasis here. 5 19 Manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac omit dwID'-la, making it a little shorter yet leaving out any personal reference to whom God speaks. So, it seems wise to retain it as printed. 7 For rb'd'h], the Septuagint has rb;d;h], a participial form which seems somewhat out of place in this context to have been original. Next, Chronicles deletes laer'f.yI-ta, and 15 Manuscripts delete only ta, which seems necessary, as well to retain as original while the deletions do make it shorter, yet less specific than such a statement seems to warrant. Then, more significantly, Chronicles reads for yjeb.vi, "rod/staff/scepter", yjep.v, "ruler/judge", which does seem to fit better the meaning being conveyed here. 8 About 30 Manuscripts make rx;a;me read more specifically with the possessive pronoun on it yrex]a;me, which might be original. And 12 Manuscripts omit laer'f.yI-l[;, at the end of the sentence/verse, making it shorter yet including as printed makes it more inclusive, which the original probably did have. 9 Conferring with the Septuagint, it is suggested we delete lAdG", as do 2 of the Manuscripts of Chronicles, making the verse a little shorter, but losing some of the exact meaning almost surely intended here. 10 For laer'f.yIl., Chronicles reads, wotLob;l., "for old age/wearing out"? Seems strange at best, while it could be original but might be too sarcastic even, so, let's reject it. Then, we are to read with many Manuscripts of/and with Chronicles for the printed AtAN[;l., the infinitive of "to mishandle/afflict/humble", laer'f.yI, which seems out of place here, so to be refused as not likely to be original. 11 For ~AYh;-!mil.W;, 2 Manuscripts of the Septuagint read merely ~AYh;-!mil., without the "and", which could be original, minutely shorter, of course, so, maybe original. Also, Driver (Notes on the Hebrew Text . . .) says the sense is better served with this omission. And, Chronicles reads, ~ymiYmil.W, which would add a little length, perhaps unnecessarily. Next, Chronicles has yTi[.n;k.hiw. for ytixoynIh]w, a different word, "to subdue/bow down/be humble/bring low" for "to rest", which seems to be more what might have been meant. Then, for ^yb,y>ao-lK'mi , "from all your enemies", it is suggested we read wyb,y>..ao owooool, "not . . . your enemies", which might have been original if a little weaker expression.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 And it happened that was lived/settled the King and Yahweh caused him to rest from round about all his enemies. 2 And said the King unto Nathan the prophet, "Look, now I am living in a house of cedars and the covenant of Elohim is lodged behind a drape/curtain." 3 And said Nathan unto the King, "All that which (is) in your heart go do for Yahweh (is) with you." 4 And happened in the night that very one that happened the Word of Yahweh unto Nathan saying, 5 "Go and be speaking [qal, perfect] unto my servant unto David, 'Thus is saying [qal, perfect] Yahweh, "Will you build [qal, imperfect] for me a house to live [qal, infinitive]? 6 For not have I lived in a house since from the day I caused to ascend/brought up the children Israel from Egypt and continuing unto the day this one and it happened in the traversing [hithpael, participle] in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 In all where I have gone in all the children Israel a word which I have spoken [piel, perfect] to one of the clans/tribes of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel to say, 'Why not have you built for me a house cedars?' 8 And now you said [qal, imperfect] to my servant to David, 'Thus is saying Yahweh Sabaoth/of hosts, "I (emphatic) have taken you from a place of shepherding a flock to become a ruler/leader/prince over my people over Israel. 9 And I am [qal, imperfect with a waw consecutive] with you in all your walking around/coming and going and I cut off/destroy all your enemies from before you and I made of you a name great which (is) of the great names of the earth/land. 10 And I have made [qal, participle] a place for my people for Israel and I have fixed/planted/established him to settle down/dwell/tabernacle/reside [qal, participle] instead of/for the sake of and not will he tremble/quake/quiver again and not will they cause to increase/do more the children of injustice/wrong to afflict [hiphil, infinitive] like what (happened) before/formerly. 11 And from the day on which I have ordered/commanded [piel, perfect] judges to/for my people Israel and I have caused to rest [hiphil, perfect] you from all your enemies and have declared [hiphil, perfect] to you Yahweh that a house for you will make Yahweh. 12 That will fill/be full your days and you have lain down [qal, perfect] with your ancestors and I shall cause to arise your seed after you which shall go out from your belly/inward parts/body and I shall establish the kingdom of his. 13 He (emphatic) shall build a house unto/for my name and I shall establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I (emphatic) shall be as/like for him a father and he shall be to me as/like a son.



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