God disciplines Israel with the rod of men when they commit iniquity, but His mercy never departs from them.
In 2 Samuel 7:14-15, God promises that when Israel commits iniquity, He will chasten them using other nations as instruments of punishment. However, the same passage declares that His mercy will not depart from them, as it did from Saul. This shows that while God must discipline Israel, He never permanently abandons them.
2 Samuel 7:14-15 — This is the core passage where God states He will chasten Israel with the rod of men but will not withdraw His mercy.
In 2 Samuel 7:14-15, God speaks to David about his son (Solomon) and the nation of Israel, saying, '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: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.' This indicates that when Israel sins, God will discipline them by allowing other nations to conquer and oppress them. Yet, even amidst such chastening, God promises to maintain His mercy toward them, not abandoning them permanently as He did with King Saul.
Les Feldick emphasizes that in 2 Samuel 7, God's promise applies not only to King Solomon but to the entire nation of Israel. He teaches that God has fulfilled 'I will chasten him with the rod of men' repeatedly throughout Israel's history, using foreign nations to punish them for their unbelief and sin. Les points to the book of Judges as an example of this cycle—Israel falls into sin, God sends oppressors, they cry out, and God raises judges to deliver them. Despite this repeated discipline, Les stresses that God's promise 'my mercy shall not depart from him' means He will never utterly cast off Israel. The word 'but' in verse 15 is the 'flip side,' indicating that even though Israel will be disciplined, God's mercy remains. This discipline does not negate God's ultimate plan to restore Israel's kingdom, as seen in the Davidic covenant and the coming of Christ as King.
Les Feldick explains that the 'rod of men' refers to God using other nations as instruments of punishment against Israel. He says, 'In other words, God will use other nations to punish the nation of Israel.' This is what God has done throughout history, bringing conquering nations to discipline Israel for their iniquity.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that despite Israel's constant failure and God's repeated chastening, God never permanently abandons them. He cites 2 Samuel 7:15 where God says 'my mercy shall not depart from him,' and contrasts this with Saul, whom God put away. Les says, 'God chastised them, but did He ever give up on them? Never.'
Les teaches that the discipline Israel faced does not cancel God's promise to establish David's kingdom forever. He explains that the kingdom of David and Solomon was real and political, and its ultimate fulfillment will come through Christ, the King of kings. The disciples' question in Acts 1:6 about restoring the kingdom reflects this expectation. Even though David and Solomon died, the promise points to the Messiah.
Kingdom Concept in Scripture
Les Feldick explains that the kingdom of David and Solomon was a literal, political kingdom on earth, and the promise of its restoration is central to Scriptural prophecy.
The Rod of Men
Les teaches that 'the rod of men' means God uses other nations to punish Israel, yet His mercy will not depart.
Israel's Disciplinary Action
Les affirms that God has disciplined Israel over and over because of their unbelief and sin, fulfilling 2 Samuel 7:14.
God's Chastening in Judges
Les uses the book of Judges to illustrate Israel's cycle of sin and God's chastening, yet God never gave up on them.
The Flip Side of Discipline
Les highlights the word 'But' in verse 15, showing that despite discipline, God's mercy shall not depart from Israel.
Discipline as a Father
Les compares God's discipline of Israel to a father disciplining his son, using other nations as the rod, but with mercy remaining.
The Unfailing Mercy
Les explains that regardless of Israel's wickedness, God will not destroy them or turn His back forever; He has set them aside but will restore them.
The Davidic Covenant and Christ
Les connects the promise in 2 Samuel 7:14-15 to the royal line leading to Christ, the King of kings, showing the covenant's enduring nature.
2 Samuel 7:14: 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:
This verse states God's intention to discipline Israel when they sin, using other nations as His rod.
2 Samuel 7:15: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
This verse contrasts with the previous, showing that God's mercy will remain with Israel even after discipline, unlike Saul.
2 Samuel 7:16: And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
This verse confirms that the Davidic kingdom will be forever, despite Israel's iniquity.
Les Feldick teaches that 'the rod of men' refers to other nations that God uses to punish Israel when they sin. This is how God disciplines them, as seen throughout Israel's history.
No. Although God chastens Israel severely, He promises in 2 Samuel 7:15 that His mercy will not depart from them, unlike Saul. Les emphasizes that God sets them aside but never permanently rejects them.
2 Samuel 7 contains God's promise to David that his kingdom would be established forever. Les explains this ultimately points to Christ, who will reign on David's throne in the future restored kingdom.
Watch the Teaching: Will God Restore the Kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6 Explained