2 Chronicles 21 7

2 Chronicles 21:7 kjv

Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

2 Chronicles 21:7 nkjv

Yet the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

2 Chronicles 21:7 niv

Nevertheless, because of the covenant the LORD had made with David, the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.

2 Chronicles 21:7 esv

Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

2 Chronicles 21:7 nlt

But the LORD did not want to destroy David's dynasty, for he had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever.

2 Chronicles 21 verses

2 Chronicles 21 7 Meaning

Despite the severe wickedness of King Jehoram of Judah, the Eternal LORD chose not to utterly destroy the royal house of David. This decision was rooted in His unyielding faithfulness to the sacred covenant He had personally established with King David. Furthermore, it was a fulfillment of His solemn promise to ensure a continuous succession of David's descendants on the throne, symbolized by the "lamp" which represents a lasting legacy, perpetual presence, and enduring rule for David and his lineage through all generations. This verse underscores God's steadfastness to His word, even when human agents are profoundly unfaithful.

2 Chronicles 21 7 Context

Chapter 21 of 2 Chronicles details the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, a period marked by profound spiritual and moral decline. Jehoram ascended the throne after his father Jehoshaphat, who largely walked in the ways of the LORD, yet had formed an unfortunate alliance with the wicked house of Ahab of Israel. Jehoram solidified this unholy alliance by marrying Athaliah, Ahab’s daughter. Upon becoming king, Jehoram committed egregious acts: he murdered all his brothers and some of the princes of Israel to secure his position. He introduced pagan idolatry from the house of Ahab into Judah, specifically encouraging the worship of Baal, and "made the inhabitants of Jerusalem play the harlot and led Judah astray" (2 Chr 21:11). These actions directly violated the Law of Moses and the covenant made with Israel. Consequently, the LORD afflicted him severely, allowing Edom and Libnah to rebel, and allowing Philistines and Arabs to plunder Jerusalem and his house, leaving him only with his youngest son, Ahaziah. Jehoram also suffered a dreadful, incurable bowel disease, ultimately dying a miserable death unmourned by his people. It is within this grim narrative of apostasy, fratricide, and divine judgment that 2 Chronicles 21:7 appears, standing as a powerful counterpoint emphasizing God's enduring faithfulness amidst humanity's utter unfaithfulness. The verse highlights that despite Jehoram's extreme wickedness, the survival of the Davidic line was not due to any merit of his or his predecessors, but solely because of God's unchangeable promise to David.

2 Chronicles 21 7 Word analysis

• However (אַךְ - 'akh): This initial Hebrew word is a strong adversative, indicating a significant contrast or emphasis. It introduces a turn in the narrative, shifting from the judgment and destruction detailed in the preceding verses (e.g., Jehoram's murder of his brothers, the invasion) to God's preserving action. It highlights a divine intervention that overrides the natural consequences of human sin due to a prior commitment.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal and covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. Its use here is crucial as it emphasizes that it is the God who entered into a personal, binding covenant with David who is acting. This name underscores His relational nature and unwavering commitment to His promises, in contrast to human treachery.
• would not destroy (לֹא הִשְׁמִיד - lo' hishmid): The negative particle "lo'" combined with the Hiphil imperfect of "shamad" (to destroy utterly, annihilate) signifies a firm, deliberate refusal on God's part to completely wipe out David's house. It indicates a powerful, conscious decision to restrain judgment that would otherwise be merited.
• the house of David (בֵּית דָּוִיד - beit Dawid): Refers to the royal dynasty, lineage, and descendants of King David. This is not just David's literal family, but the political and spiritual continuation of his reign and covenant. The survival of this "house" was essential for the eventual fulfillment of the messianic promises.
• because of (בַּעֲבוּר - ba'avur): This preposition expresses cause or reason. It directly attributes God's restraining hand to His existing covenant, highlighting that divine action is rooted in His character and prior declarations, not current human merit.
• the covenant (הַבְּרִית - hab'rit): The specific reference to "the covenant" unmistakably points to the Davidic Covenant detailed in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. This was an unconditional promise made by God to David, ensuring a perpetual dynasty and an eternal throne for one of his descendants, ultimately pointing to Christ. It transcends any individual king's unfaithfulness.
• which He had made (אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת - 'asher karat): The Hebrew idiom for making a covenant is "karat berit," meaning "to cut a covenant." This phrase evokes ancient practices where animals were cut in half as a solemn visual representation of the consequences of breaking the agreement, emphasizing the binding and unbreakable nature of God's pledge.
• with David (עִם דָּוִיד - 'im Dawid): Specifies the recipient of the covenant, solidifying its personal nature and divine initiative.
• and because (וְכַאֲשֶׁר - ve'ka'asher): Literally "and as" or "and according to what," but contextually it functions as "and because" or "and since." It introduces a second reason or a specific aspect of the covenant related to the "lamp."
• He had promised/said (כָמָה - "vakamah"): The word "vakamah" (from kāmāh) can imply "to rise up" or "to establish." While often translated as "had promised" or "had said he would give," the nuance implies an active establishment of the promise. It underscores God's prior spoken word as the basis for His current action.
• to give a lamp (לָתֶת לוֹ נִיר - latet lo nir): "Nir" (נִיר) specifically means a lamp or a light. In ancient Near Eastern culture and biblical context, a "lamp" symbolized the continuation of a person's name, lineage, and legacy. Keeping a lamp burning in the house meant the household was alive, its name endured, and its inheritance was secured. For a king, it represented a continuous line of succession, perpetuation of the dynasty, prosperity, and authority. The lamp here symbolizes the perpetuation of David's royal line, not extinguished despite unrighteousness.
• to him and to his sons (לוֹ וּלְבָנָיו - lo ulevanav): "Him" refers to David, and "his sons" to his royal descendants. This confirms the multi-generational nature of the "lamp" promise.
• forever (כָּל הַיָּמִים - kol hayyamim): Literally "all the days," denoting perpetually, continuously, without end. This term underscores the enduring, unwavering, and unconditional nature of God's covenant and promise to David regarding the permanence of his dynasty. It points towards an everlasting kingdom, culminating in Christ's reign.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "However, the LORD would not destroy the house of David because of the covenant...": This phrase powerfully emphasizes God's sovereign will overriding human deserved judgment. It shows divine faithfulness and the inviolability of God's covenant as the foundational reason for the continuation of David's line, rather than the king's piety. It portrays God as being bound by His own word, for His own glory.
• "the covenant which He had made with David, and because He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever": This highlights the dual nature of God's commitment. It’s based on the comprehensive Davidic Covenant and specifically reiterated through the imagery of the "lamp." The covenant provided the legal framework for the ongoing promise, and the "lamp" vividly illustrated its ongoing manifestation – a perpetually shining light, ensuring the presence of a legitimate heir on the throne, pointing to the coming Messiah. This unconditional promise serves as a lifeline for Judah's spiritual survival and prophetic trajectory amidst its darkest days.

2 Chronicles 21 7 Bonus section

The "lamp" metaphor is deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern royal ideology, signifying continued dynasty, prosperity, and often divine favor. For God to promise a "lamp" to David forever points not only to the succession of kings but ultimately to a perpetual, thriving, and divinely sanctioned reign that transcends temporal kings. This "lamp" finds its ultimate and everlasting fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is explicitly identified as "the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star" (Rev 22:16). He is the eternal Lamp who perfectly illuminates God's kingdom and reigns forever on David's throne, signifying the ultimate continuation and glorification of the Davidic line beyond any human king. This continuity of the lamp imagery across centuries highlights the progressive unfolding of God's redemptive plan, ensuring the messianic line's survival even during times of severe apostasy and divine judgment on individual kings.

2 Chronicles 21 7 Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:7 is a profound testament to the unchangeable character and faithfulness of God, standing in stark contrast to the appalling faithlessness of King Jehoram. While Jehoram's actions—fratricide, idolatry, and leading the people into spiritual harlotry—would have justly warranted the complete obliteration of his dynasty, God's actions are explicitly tethered not to Jehoram's performance, but to His solemn, prior covenant with David. This verse elevates God's sovereign grace and faithfulness above human sin and provides hope for the continued existence of a lineage from which the Messiah would come. The "lamp" symbolizes the enduring presence of David's royal descendants on the throne of Judah, ensuring that the covenant light would never be fully extinguished. This wasn't merely about political survival; it was about God preserving the channel through which His ultimate redemptive plan—the coming of Christ—would be fulfilled. God remains true to His word, even when His people are not, demonstrating that His covenants are unbreakable and His purposes immutable.