Is There Any Common Grace in II Samuel 7:15?
Prof. David Engelsma examines II Samuel 7:15 to determine whether it supports the doctrine of common grace, arguing that a superficial reading misunderstands the text's original Hebrew and theological meaning. He demonstrates that the passage actually concerns God's covenant mercy toward Solomon and Christ rather than grace extended to the reprobate Saul, and clarifies how a misinterpretation would dangerously undermine the Reformed doctrine of perseverance of the saints.
Question “Please explain II Samuel 7:15: ‘but my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee’ (I Chronicles 17:13 is a parallel passage). Does this teach common grace?” Shorter Answer by Prof. David Engelsma On a superficial reading, it would seem that II Samuel 7:15 states that God once had mercy on Saul but later removed it from him and, therefore, there is common grace. But notice that, if the text actually teaches that God once had mercy on...