2 Samuel 7:18-29

David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving

18 Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? ¹

19 And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, You have also spoken about the future of the house of Your servant. Is this Your custom with man, O Lord GOD? ^[a]

20 What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD.

21 For the sake of Your word and according to Your own heart, You have accomplished this great thing and revealed it to Your servant.

22 How great You are, O Lord GOD! For there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears.

23 And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt. ^[b]

24 For You have established Your people Israel as Your very own forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God.

25 And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised,

26 so that Your name will be magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts is God over Israel.’ And the house of Your servant David will be established before You.

27 For You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore Your servant has found the courage to offer this prayer to You.

28 And now, O Lord GOD, You are God! Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.

29 Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

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.

Cross References

• 1. (1 Chronicles 17:16–27)

Footnotes

• [a] Or And this is Your instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD.
• [b] See LXX and 1 Chronicles 17:21; Hebrew You performed for Yourself great and awesome wonders for Your land, before Your people, whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods.