When does God deal harshly with Israel?
God deals harshly with Israel when they fall into unbelief and abject behavior. In the Davidic covenant, He warns that if iniquity comes, He will chasten with the rod of men and stripes of men, using enemy nations and other means to discipline His people.
Les explains that II Samuel 7:14 speaks primarily of Solomon, yet God is looking at the long view of the whole nation of Israel. The Davidic covenant concerns David's offspring and the nation of Israel. God says if iniquity is committed, He will chasten with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men. He would chasten the nation of Israel by their enemy nations and various other ways. Then verse 15 begins with the word 'But,' the flip side. Yes, He chasens them; He deals harshly with them when they come into a place of unbelief and abject behavior.