How would God chasten the nation of Israel?
God would chasten Israel with the rod of men and the stripes of the children of men, meaning He used their enemy nations and various other means to discipline them. This chastening came when they fell into unbelief and abject behavior, as declared in the Davidic covenant.
Les explains that although II Samuel 7:14 addresses Solomon specifically, God is looking at the long view of the whole nation of Israel. The chastening would come by their enemies—the nations—and through various other ways God had of chastening His people. Les then points to verse 15, noting the word "But" introduces the flip side: God would indeed chasten them and deal harshly with them when they entered unbelief and abject behavior.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
More Questions
Why has God disciplined Israel over and over again?
God has repeatedly disciplined the nation of Israel because of their unbelief and sin, just as he promised through Nathan.
How does God discipline Israel according to 2 Samuel 7:14?
God will discipline His Son, the nation of Israel, just as a good earthly father disciplines his children, as Hebrews makes plain.
What did God do to Israel when they rebelled and fell into idolatry?
God has actually done that throughout history: whenever Israel became rebellious and steeped in unbelief or idolatry, God brought in a conquering nation and put them in subservience.