12 "Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my ordinances, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The meaning is, "So far as this house goes, thou art obedient (2-Samuel 7:13; 1-Chronicles 17:12, etc.); if thou wilt be obedient in other things also, then will I perform My word," etc., God's promises being always conditional. The promises made to David were:
(1) that he should be succeeded by one of his sons 2-Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11;
(2) that the kingdom should be established in the line of his descendants forever, if they were faithful Psalm 132:12; and
(3) that the Israelites should be no more afficted as beforetime 2-Samuel 7:10.
These promises are now confirmed to Solomon, but on the express condition of obedience, and two further promises are added.
Concerning this house which thou art in building,.... Or with respect to that, these things are to be said as from the Lord:
if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; even all the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial; and this respects not only Solomon personally, but his successors, and even all the people of Israel:
then will I perform my covenant with thee, which I spake unto David thy father; by Nathan the prophet; not only that he should build an house for God, which should be a settled dwelling place, but that his own house and kingdom should be established for a long time to come, and his posterity should enjoy the presence of God in this house, provided regard was had to the precepts and ordinances of the Lord, 2-Samuel 7:12.
If - God expresses the condition upon which his promise and favour is suspended; and by assuring him thereof in case of obedience, he plainly intimates the contrary upon his disobedience. Thus he was taught, that all the charge he and the people were at, in erecting this temple, would neither excuse them from obedience to the law of God, nor shelter them from his judgments in case of disobedience.
*More commentary available at chapter level.