2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 7:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Conversely, we can assure ourselves that these prophecies have found their fulfillment in our Lord Christ, "who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh," thus dispelling any notion that the promise could denote another figure apart from Him. The Jewish people themselves grasp, to their own astonishment, that the son foretold to David in this scripture is not Solomon; despite the clarity of the revelation, they still await another.

Yet, there is a semblance of the future in Solomon, as he did construct the temple and his name (‘Solomon’ meaning ‘peacemaker’) signifies tranquility, with his reign commencing on a commendable note. Nevertheless, he serves merely as a shadow that prefigures our Lord Christ. Therefore, Scripture speaks of him in a way that might imply the prophecy pertains to him, while intending instead to foreshadow events to come through his likeness. In addition to the historical accounts in sacred texts, the seventy-first psalm carries his name, yet it contains mentions that pertain more directly to the face of the Lord Christ than to him alone, illustrating a picture of which he is but a reflection, with the ultimate truth found in Christ.

Consideration of the geographical limits of Solomon's kingdom reveals its constraints. However, the psalm proclaims, "He shall possess from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." This promise finds its realization in Christ. His ministry initiated at the river where John baptized Him, and by John's guidance, His disciples acknowledged Him not solely as Master, but as Lord. Importantly, Solomon began to reign while his father David was still alive, unlike any other king of Judah, which underscores that he could not be the fulfillment of the prophecy given to his father: "But when thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt be gathered unto thy fathers, I will raise up after thee thy seed which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom."

One must ask how the passage "He shall build a house for my name" is interpreted as a prophecy regarding Solomon without considering the preceding lines, which speak of a peacemaker to be raised after David's death, not before as Solomon was. Regardless of the duration until Jesus Christ's arrival, it is certain that following David's death, there would emerge a figure who would construct a house for God, not made of wood and stones, but of human lives—a house to which we await the Coming One's arrival. To this house, referring to the faithful in Christ, the apostle declares, "The temple of God is holy; and this temple is ye."

Furthermore, in the eighty-eighth psalm, referred to as "The Doctrine of Epham Ezrahit," God’s promises to King David are reiterated, including sentiments similar to those found in the book of Kings: "I swore unto David my servant, I will establish thy seed forever." Again, we read, "Thou didst once speak in a vision to Thy holy one, and said: 'I have given help to the courageous, I have raised up a chosen one from among the people, I have found David My servant, I have anointed him with My holy oil. My hand shall abide with him, and My strength shall strengthen him. No enemy shall overcome him, and the son of iniquity shall not oppress him. I will crush his enemies before him, and I will smite those who hate him. My truth and My mercy shall be with him, and by My name shall his horn be exalted. I will put his hand upon the sea, and his right hand upon the rivers. He shall call to Me, 'You are my father, My God, and the stronghold of my salvation.' I will make him the firstborn above the kings of the earth. Forever I will keep my favor upon him, and my covenant with him shall be steadfast. I will continue forever his seed, and his throne as the days of heaven." All of this, when properly interpreted, applies to the Lord Jesus, who is understood under the name of David due to the nature of the servanthood He received from the Virgin descended from David.

Rather than a single chosen individual, there are often two involved, with multiple virtues radiating from one act: in the one who initiates, there is not just good intention but also qualities like humility, patience, and submission to God’s will, as he must concede the accomplishment to another; in the one who acts, there is not just a good deed but also nobility, generosity, and brotherly love, as he realizes the vision of his counterpart as if it were his own. Take, for instance, David, who expresses gratitude to God for establishing his sovereignty and desires to build a temple in Jerusalem. This noble idea is endorsed through his dialogue with Nathan. Although the thought is commendable and the Prophet supports it, even these two men fail to fully comprehend God’s ultimate plan until it is revealed. God designates Solomon as the one to actualize David's vision: ‘He that shall build the house of my name, and I will rule his throne unto the ages of ages.’

Moreover, Christ, more than any other, was destined to establish the temple of God—human sanctity itself—where the Spirit of God would reside in the most perfect sanctuary. Thus, it is Christ, rather than Solomon, who should be recognized as the Son of God. An everlasting kingdom, after all, is far more fitting for Christ than for Solomon, a temporal ruler.