2 Chronicles 7 17

2 Chronicles 7:17 kjv

And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;

2 Chronicles 7:17 nkjv

As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments,

2 Chronicles 7:17 niv

"As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws,

2 Chronicles 7:17 esv

And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules,

2 Chronicles 7:17 nlt

"As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations,

2 Chronicles 7 verses

2 Chronicles 7 17 Meaning

This verse presents God's direct and conditional instruction to King Solomon after the temple dedication. It outlines the crucial prerequisites for the enduring prosperity and stability of Solomon's kingdom and dynasty. The conditions emphasize faithful and comprehensive obedience: living consistently in God's presence, meticulously following all His divine commands, and diligently observing His established statutes and just rules, taking King David's devoted life as the standard.

2 Chronicles 7 17 Context

This verse is delivered as part of God's direct response to Solomon following the glorious dedication of the temple. In 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, God demonstrated His acceptance of the temple and Solomon’s prayer by sending fire from heaven and filling the temple with His glory. Subsequently, God appears to Solomon at night (2 Chron 7:12) and engages in a solemn dialogue. After reaffirming His choice of the temple as a place of sacrifice and hearing prayer, God pivots to delineate His expectations of Solomon and his royal line. Verse 17 thus establishes the conditional framework for continued divine favor, setting the stage for either enduring blessing (as promised in v. 18) or severe judgment and national ruin if the conditions are not met (as warned in v. 19-22). This message integrates with broader biblical themes, echoing the foundational Mosaic covenant's emphasis on blessings for obedience (e.g., Deut 28, Lev 26) and providing an important interpretation of the Davidic covenant's promises, implying that while the ultimate lineage to the Messiah was unconditional, the earthly prosperity of David's dynasty was contingent upon the kings' faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 7 17 Word analysis

• And as for you (וְאַתָּה - v'attah): This opening phrase functions as an emphatic, personal address directly to Solomon. It shifts the focus from God's glorious presence and action in the preceding verses to Solomon's individual responsibility. It highlights that despite God's favor and magnificent works, Solomon's active obedience is indispensable.

• if you walk (אִם־תֵּלֵךְ - im telekh): "If" denotes a crucial condition. The Hebrew verb "walk" (הָלַךְ - halakh) is a widely used biblical metaphor. It doesn't mean literal physical walking but signifies one's lifestyle, conduct, moral path, and continuous behavior. Here, it implies living a life continuously directed by God.

• before me (לְפָנָי - lefanai): This signifies living in the immediate presence and consciousness of God. It conveys a deep sense of accountability, reverence, and a constant awareness of God's watchful eye. It denotes a life lived to please Him, upholding integrity and spiritual transparency.

• as David your father walked (כַּאֲשֶׁר הָלַךְ דָּוִיד אָבִיךָ - ka'asher halakh David avikha): King David is established as the gold standard for Solomonic kingship. While not perfect in every deed (as evidenced by Bathsheba), David's defining characteristic was his heart, which remained "wholly true to the LORD" (1 Kgs 11:4). This call implies not a superficial imitation but a commitment to wholehearted devotion and repentance that marked David's spiritual journey.

• and do (וְלַעֲשׂוֹת - v'la'asot): This verb signifies the concrete action and implementation of commands. It moves beyond the general lifestyle indicated by "walk" to the specific execution of God's will.

• according to all that I have commanded you (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִיךָ - kekol asher tzivitikha): The word "all" (כְּכֹל - kekol) emphasizes comprehensive and complete obedience, leaving no room for picking and choosing or partial compliance. "Commanded" (צִוָּה - tzavah) denotes divine authority, God’s authoritative instructions and decrees given directly to Solomon, primarily through the Law.

• and keep (וְלִשְׁמֹר - v'lishmor): This verb means to guard, observe, preserve, or diligently attend to. It suggests an active and continuous act of maintaining, protecting, and adhering to God's instructions carefully. It implies diligent study and practical application.

• my statutes (חֻקַּי - chukkai): These are God's fixed ordinances, decrees, or prescriptions. They often refer to the permanent, engraved laws that establish boundaries, rituals, and principles for God's people, reflecting His holy character and unchangeable nature.

• and my rules (וּמִשְׁפָּטַי - u'mishpatai): Also translated as judgments. These refer to God's legal rulings, principles of justice, and the righteous applications of His law in specific situations. They pertain to civil and social justice, equitable conduct, and the practical implementation of ethical standards.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "if you walk before me as David your father walked": This phrase links the standard of righteous governance directly to the legacy of King David. It is not merely about external conformity but an internal heart disposition—a genuine, unreserved devotion to God and an intentional orientation of one's entire life under His divine gaze, just as David exemplified despite his acknowledged failures. It emphasizes an intimate, God-focused lifestyle.
  • "and do according to all that I have commanded you, and keep my statutes and my rules": This combination comprehensively outlines the required practical obedience. "Do according to all that I have commanded you" underscores the necessity of complete active adherence to every divine instruction. "Keep my statutes and my rules" specifies the full scope of God's divine revelation as the benchmark for conduct, encompassing both fundamental ordinances and their just, practical application in all spheres of life and leadership.

2 Chronicles 7 17 Bonus section

• The phrase "walk before me" appears consistently throughout the Old Testament to describe lives characterized by righteousness and obedience to God, such as Enoch (Gen 5:22, 24) and Abraham (Gen 17:1). It highlights a deep relational aspect of obedience, not just a legalistic one.
• This passage contains an implicit warning that reliance on the physical temple as a charm against judgment is misguided. God's presence in the temple was contingent upon the king's and nation's fidelity to Him. The temple's purpose was for communion and obedience, not a substitute for it.
• While addressed to a king, the core principles of conditional blessings based on obedience and seeking God's standards apply broadly to believers across all generations, demonstrating God's consistent expectation for His people.
• The eventual failure of many Davidic kings to meet the standard set in this verse ultimately led to the Babylonian Exile, validating the conditional nature of God's earthly promises concerning the throne's stability, while preserving the unconditional spiritual promise of the Messiah through David's line.

2 Chronicles 7 17 Commentary

2 Chronicles 7:17 articulates a pivotal principle within God's covenant with Solomon: the sustained favor and stability of the Davidic dynasty were fundamentally contingent upon the king's faithful obedience. Though God had graciously chosen Solomon and accepted the temple with visible glory, this divine presence was not an unconditional guarantee of earthly prosperity. Solomon, and his successors, were called to a personal and comprehensive adherence to God's commands. David, despite his well-known failures, served as the ideal archetype due to his heart-posture of seeking God's will and repenting. "Walking before God" signifies a lifestyle of spiritual integrity and constant awareness of His presence. "Doing" and "keeping statutes and rules" demands the practical application of divine law in every facet of kingship and personal conduct. The message powerfully teaches that divine blessing, though rooted in God's faithfulness to His promises, often flows through the channel of human responsiveness and obedience, requiring genuine, wholehearted dedication rather than mere ritualistic performance or presumption upon past grace.