2 Samuel 7:18-29

David’s prayer

18 Then King David went and sat in the LORD's presence. He asked: Who am I, LORD God, and of what significance is my family that you have brought me this far?

19 But even this was too small in your eyes, LORD God! Now you have also spoken about your servant's dynasty in the future and the generation to come,LORD God!

20 What more can David say to you? You know your servant, LORD God.

21 For the sake of your word and according to your own will, you have done this great thing so that your servant would know it.

22 That is why you are so great, LORD God! No one can compare to you, no god except you, just as we have always heard with our own ears.

23 And who can compare to your people Israel? They are the one nation on earth that God redeemed as his own people, establishing his name by doing great and awesome things for them, by driving out nations and their gods before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt.

24 You established your people Israel as your own people forever, and you, LORD, became their God.

25 Now, LORD God, confirm forever the promise you have made about your servant and his dynasty. Do just as you have promised

26 so that your name will be great forever when people say, "The LORD of heavenly forces is Israel's God!" May your servant David's household be established before you,

27 because you, LORD of heavenly forces, Israel's God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a dynasty for him. That is why your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to you.

28 LORD God, you are truly God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

29 So now willingly bless your servant's dynasty so that it might continue forever before you, because you, LORD God, have promised. Let your servant's dynasty be blessed forever by your blessing.

2 Samuel 7:18-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 7

This chapter expresses David's concern for building an house for the ark of God, which he communicated to Nathan the prophet, and was approved of by him, 2Sa 7:1-3; and who was that night sent by the Lord to David, to acquaint him, that as he had for many years dwelt in a tent, and had never given directions to the tribes of Israel, and the rulers of them, to build him an house, so neither should David build him one; but his son that would succeed him in the throne should; and also observes to him the many great things he had done for him, and promises him more, and particularly the establishment of his throne and kingdom for ever, in which he has respect to the Messiah, that should spring from him, 2Sa 7:4-17. Then follows a prayer of David, in which he expresses the sense he had of the greatness and goodness of God, and of his own unworthiness to receive such favours from him he had, returns him thanks for the promises he had made, and prays for the performance of them, 2Sa 7:18-29.

Footnotes

• [a]. Correction; Heb uncertain this is the law of humankind
• [b]. Or you (plural)
• [c]. LXX, 1 Chron 17:21; MT for your land before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, the nations and their gods