2 Samuel 7 26

2 Samuel 7:26 kjv

And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.

2 Samuel 7:26 nkjv

So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel.' And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.

2 Samuel 7:26 niv

so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, 'The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight.

2 Samuel 7:26 esv

And your name will be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,' and the house of your servant David will be established before you.

2 Samuel 7:26 nlt

And may your name be honored forever so that everyone will say, 'The LORD of Heaven's Armies is God over Israel!' And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.

2 Samuel 7 verses

2 Samuel 7 26 Meaning

2 Samuel 7:26 is part of David's prayer of thanksgiving and humble petition following God's covenant promise. In this verse, David articulates two profound desires: first, that God's name (representing His character, power, and identity) be continually and eternally glorified and declared great. This glorification is specifically tied to the acknowledgment that Yahweh, "the Lord of hosts," is the one true God uniquely sovereign over Israel. Second, David petitions for the enduring establishment of his own royal lineage ("the house of Your servant David") before God, seeing this as a direct fulfillment of God's promise and a further means by which God's name would be magnified.

2 Samuel 7 26 Context

This verse is the pinnacle of David's prayer of gratitude in 2 Samuel chapter 7, which immediately follows the prophetic message delivered by Nathan. Nathan had conveyed God's word to David, rejecting David's intention to build a "house" (temple) for God, but instead promising that God would build David a "house" (dynasty, royal line) that would last forever. God promised to establish David's throne eternally and raise up his descendant, specifically noting that "My lovingkindness shall not depart from him" (2 Sam 7:15).

Historically, this occurs after David has consolidated his kingdom, brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, and settled in his palace, reflecting a time of relative peace and national stability. David's response in prayer demonstrates profound humility and awe at God's undeserved grace. This verse shows David's understanding that the perpetuation of his dynasty is not for his own fame, but a visible sign of God's faithfulness and ultimate reign. The acknowledgment of "The Lord of hosts is God over Israel" is a declaration against the common polytheism of the ancient Near East, affirming Yahweh's sole and ultimate sovereignty, particularly over His chosen people, contrasted with the fleeting and powerless deities of surrounding nations.

2 Samuel 7 26 Word analysis

• And let Your name be magnified forever:

  • And let: Conjunction connecting to the preceding prayer. Implies continuation and a desired outcome.
  • Your name (שְׁמֶךָ, shemekha): Represents God's entire being, character, reputation, power, and essence. To "magnify" or glorify His name means to acknowledge and declare His inherent greatness and majesty. It is a recognition of who God truly is.
  • be magnified (יִגְדַּל, yigdal): From the root גּדל (gadal), meaning "to be great," "grow," "become powerful." Here, it's a petition for God's greatness to be proclaimed and increasingly known, not that He literally becomes greater, but that His existing greatness is revealed and acknowledged by all, through His actions and fulfilled promises.
  • forever (לְעוֹלָם, l'olam): An absolute and perpetual duration, indicating eternity. David's desire for God's glory is not limited by time, underscoring the everlasting nature of God's character and His covenant.

• saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel!’:

  • saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor): Indicates the content of the magnification—it's through this specific confession. This suggests a declaration or proclamation, implying that God's name is magnified when people confess this truth.
  • The Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His self-existent and immutable nature. It underscores His relational fidelity.
  • of hosts (צְבָאוֹת, Tseva'ot): Signifies "armies" or "heavenly hosts" (angels, stars, cosmic elements). "Yahweh Tseva'ot" emphasizes God's supreme power, sovereignty, and absolute command over all creation—heavenly and earthly. This title profoundly stresses His omnipotence and universal dominion.
  • is God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): The general Hebrew word for "God," highlighting His divine nature and absolute authority. The "is" (implied in Hebrew syntax) affirms His undisputed reality.
  • over Israel (עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, al Yisrael): Specifies God's unique, covenantal, and providential relationship with Israel as His chosen people. This phrase is a powerful polemic against the polytheism and regional gods of other nations, declaring Yahweh as the only true and active deity presiding over His people, proving His existence and power through His care for them.

• And may the house of Your servant David be established before You.

  • And may the house (וּבֵית, u-beit): Refers to David's royal dynasty, lineage, or succession, not a physical dwelling.
  • Your servant David (עַבְדְּךָ דָוִיד, avdekha David): David's humble self-designation, acknowledging his position under God's authority.
  • be established (נָכוֹן, nakon): From the root כּוּן (kun), meaning "to be firm," "set up," "confirm," "prepare." This directly echoes God's promise to establish (וְהֵכִנוֹתִי, ve-hekhiynoti) David's house and throne in 2 Samuel 7:12, 13, 16. It denotes permanence, stability, and divine authentication.
  • before You (לְפָנֶיךָ, lefaneyka): Implies in God's presence, under His direct approval, oversight, and protective care. It means that the dynasty's legitimacy and continuance derive from God Himself.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And let Your name be magnified forever, saying": This expresses David's ultimate purpose and prayer. The magnification of God's character and power eternally is the foundational desire. The "saying" clause clarifies the method and content of this eternal magnification, connecting it intrinsically with a confessional declaration.
  • "‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel!’": This is the core theological statement that validates God's magnanimity. It encapsulates God's absolute sovereignty ("Lord of hosts") and His particular, active election and rule over His chosen people ("God over Israel"). This recognition directly combats pagan worldviews and serves as the primary means by which God's greatness is proclaimed to the world. It means that the living, acting God who reveals Himself powerfully in Israel is truly the Universal King.
  • "And may the house of Your servant David be established before You.": This links God's glory to the specific fulfillment of His covenant promise. The establishment of David's eternal dynasty is not merely for David's benefit, but as a testament to God's faithfulness and a tangible sign that "the Lord of hosts is God over Israel." The stability of the throne, overseen by God, proves His truth and power. This intertwines the individual and the covenant community, showing that God's grand plan (magnifying His name) is actualized through His specific commitments.

2 Samuel 7 26 Bonus section

• The structure of David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7 often highlights a parallel between human desire (David building God a house) and divine action (God building David a house), demonstrating that God's plan is always grander and more enduring than human aspirations.
• The title "Lord of hosts" often appears in contexts of war, divine intervention, or when God's absolute power and authority are emphasized, reinforcing the idea of a mighty, active God unlike any other.
• The phrase "God over Israel" affirms a specific, electional relationship. It sets apart the unique theological reality of monotheism and God's covenant loyalty from the diverse and fragmented pantheons of ancient pagan religions.
• This verse is foundational for later prophetic texts and psalms that continuously appeal to and build upon the enduring nature of the Davidic covenant, often looking forward to a perfect Davidic king.
• David's humility in acknowledging himself as "Your servant David" underscores his posture before a God who grants unmerited grace. The entire establishment of his house is a divine gift, not a human achievement.

2 Samuel 7 26 Commentary

2 Samuel 7:26 beautifully intertwines David's deepest aspirations with God's divine purpose. David's prayer reflects his profound understanding that the most crucial outcome is the perpetual magnification of God's name, not the securing of his own legacy. He discerns that God's glory will be most conspicuously displayed when Yahweh is universally acknowledged as "the Lord of hosts" – the omnipotent, all-governing deity – especially in His unique, sovereign relationship with Israel.

The petition for the eternal establishment of his own house ("the house of Your servant David") is presented not as a selfish ambition, but as a vital instrument through which God's own covenant faithfulness and eternal power are demonstrated. David rightly sees that the stability of his lineage, rooted entirely in God's unmerited favor and promise, will stand as a living testament to God's character. This verse is deeply messianic in its foresight, implicitly looking forward to the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in Christ, through whom God's name is perfectly magnified and His kingdom truly established forever "before" Him. It teaches us that our ultimate aim should be God's glory, and His promises, though appearing personal, always serve His larger redemptive plan.