2 Samuel 7:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant 's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!

NIV: And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!

NASB: And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant regarding the distant future. And this is the custom of mankind, Lord God.

CSB: What you have done so far was a little thing to you, Lord God, for you have also spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future. And this is a revelation for mankind, Lord God.

NLT: And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?

KJV: And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord God?

NKJV: And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?

David is marveling at the Lord's incredible favor toward him and his house: his descendants and legacy (2 Samuel 7:8–17). He acknowledges that it's not hard for God to do what He has done for David, that it's a small thing in God's eyes to raise a man up and put him on the throne and give him victory over his enemies. David, though, is even more amazed at God's promise to establish his house for generations to come. He knows he's a mere mortal man, and an imperfect one. Why would God do such a thing for him?

David frames God's covenant in an interesting way. God's promises are mankind's instruction. Whether intentionally or not, the people of Israel will make decisions that will ensure a descendant of David and Solomon remains on the throne for the next 400 years. Due to Jewish and Christian teachers, even the modern world, some 3000 years after David's death, considers him "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) and a good, if flawed, king. David's descendant Jesus will take David's throne and rule in Jerusalem. God's covenant with David is like a script that humanity must follow.

One of the greatest blessings is that God allows David to know this will happen. He doesn't know the details, of course. But he knows his reputation will be great, his son will take his throne, and his legacy will be eternal. God could have made all this happen and not said a word. David is glad God told him, if only so David can praise Him more (2 Samuel 7:20–22).

Second Samuel 7:18–22 relates David's thanks for God's promises. God chose David to be king when he was just a shepherd boy. God gave him the crown, a family, and peace. But God will bless him even more: with a great legacy and an eternal kingdom that will find its fulfillment in Jesus (2 Samuel 7:8–17). David pours out his gratefulness for God's grace. He also thanks God for choosing Israel to be His people, and asks that God will, indeed, fulfill His promises (2 Samuel 7:23–29). First Chronicles 17:16–20 mirrors this part of David's prayer.

In 2 Samuel 7, David wants to build a temple for the ark of the covenant. He's convicted that he has a big house, so the ark doesn't belong in a tent (2 Samuel 5:11–12; 6:17). God declines David's request. Rather, God will build David a "house": a dynasty. David's son will be king—and that sone will build the temple. David's throne will be established forever. David responds with a humble prayer of gratitude and praise, asking God to do all He has promised for David and for Israel. God will, through Jesus (Revelation 22:16). First Chronicles 17 records the same events.

In 2 Samuel 7, David learns he can't out-give God. God has made him king and given him a mansion and a family (2 Samuel 5:3, 11–15). He's allowed David to bring the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–15). Now, David wants to build the ark a proper temple. Instead, God says David's son will build the temple, and God will build David a lasting dynasty. Solomon does build the temple (1 Kings 5), and Jesus will fulfill David's dynasty (Luke 1:32).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.