Who is God really talking to in II Samuel 7:14?
In II Samuel 7:14, God is speaking primarily of Solomon in the immediate sense, but the verse's ultimate reference is the entire nation of Israel. The Davidic covenant looks beyond Solomon to the long view of Israel, whom God would chasten when they turned to unbelief and abject behavior.
Les explains that II Samuel 7 contains the Davidic covenant, a covenant God made with David concerning his offspring and the nation of Israel. The royal line of David would lead to the coming King, the Christ, the Messiah, coming through Solomon on one side and Nathan on the other. In verse 14, God says, "I will be his father, 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." Les points out that even though this sounds like it is only addressing Solomon, God is looking at the long view of the whole nation of Israel. That is who He is really talking to. God would chasten the nation of Israel by their enemies and various other ways. Verse 15 begins with "But," showing the flip side: He will chasten them when they come into 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
Who is the "son" in II Samuel 7:14 that God says He will be a father to?
In II Samuel 7:14, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son" refers to the nation of Israel, and God's fatherly discipline of that son is like a good earthly father who disciplines his children, as the book of Hebrews makes plain.
Who is the 'He' in 2 Samuel 7:14 who commits iniquity and is chastened?
Israel is the 'He' in 2 Samuel 7:14 who commits iniquity and is chastened by God with the rod of men and stripes of the children of men.