2 Samuel 7 9

2 Samuel 7:9 kjv

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

2 Samuel 7:9 nkjv

And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth.

2 Samuel 7:9 niv

I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.

2 Samuel 7:9 esv

And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.

2 Samuel 7:9 nlt

I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth!

2 Samuel 7 verses

2 Samuel 7 9 Meaning

2 Samuel 7:9 describes God's covenantal affirmation to David, emphasizing three past divine actions that serve as the foundation for future promises. First, God states His consistent presence with David through all his life and endeavors. Second, God takes credit for David's victories, specifically for eliminating his enemies, underscoring His role as the Divine Warrior. Third, God declares that He is the source of David's elevated reputation and enduring legacy, promising him a "great name" akin to the most esteemed rulers on earth, yet distinct as it is divinely bestowed.

2 Samuel 7 9 Context

2 Samuel Chapter 7 is pivotal, detailing God's covenant with David. David, now established as king and residing in a cedar house, expresses a desire to build a "house" (temple) for God. Nathan, the prophet, initially affirms David's idea but is then divinely corrected. God reveals to Nathan that He, not David, will build a "house" (dynasty/lineage) for David. Verse 9 forms part of God's introductory address, reminding David of God's prior faithfulness and ongoing active presence in David's life, thus setting the stage for the profound and enduring promises of the Davidic Covenant concerning an everlasting kingdom and a never-ending dynasty. Historically, this promise came during a period of relative peace after David had secured his kingdom and subdued many enemies, making the assurance of continued divine favor and a lasting legacy particularly significant.

2 Samuel 7 9 Word analysis

• And I have been with you (וָאֶהְיֶה עִמְּךָ – wa'ehyeh 'imm'kha):

  • wa'ehyeh: This is the waw-conversive perfect of "to be," indicating a past continuous or enduring state. It signifies God's unwavering and consistent presence throughout David's life up to this point, emphasizing continuity from the moment David was anointed until he became king and secured his reign. This is a foundational covenant theme, often seen as God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua, establishing divine solidarity and partnership.
  • ‘imm'kha: "With you." This preposition implies intimate and active participation. God wasn't just observing; He was an active agent in David's life.
  • Significance: This phrase is an anointing of David's journey, affirming divine election and constant support. It is the basis for David's success and confidence (Psa 23:4; Psa 46:7).

• wherever you have gone (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר הָלַכְתָּ – b'khol asher halakhta):

  • b'khol: "In all," or "wherever." Denotes comprehensiveness; every place David set foot or undertook a campaign.
  • halakhta: "You have gone/walked." Refers to David's entire journey, including his time as a shepherd, his flight from Saul, and his military campaigns.
  • Significance: This underlines God's omnipotence and omnipresence in orchestrating David's destiny. It demonstrates divine sovereignty over circumstances and human actions, leaving no room for David to claim personal credit for his achievements. It implies God's protection and guidance through perilous times.

• and have cut off all your enemies from before you (וָאַכְרִית אֶת־כָּל־אֹיְבֶיךָ מִפָּנֶיךָ – wa'akhrit 'et-kol-’oyveikha mippaneikha):

  • wa'akhrit: The hiphil perfect of "to cut off/exterminate," signifying a decisive and complete action, taken directly by God.
  • ’oyveikha: "Your enemies." These would include external foes like the Philistines, Amalekites, and Arameans, and potentially internal opposition David faced before consolidating his reign.
  • mippaneikha: "From before you," or "from your face." Implies direct confrontation and removal, with God acting as the Divine Warrior leading David's battles.
  • Significance: This clarifies the source of David's military successes. It refutes any notion that David's strength, strategy, or armies were the primary reason for his victories. It is a polemic against reliance on human might or military prowess alone, asserting YHWH as the true victor and deliverer of His chosen king (Psa 20:7).

• and have made you a great name (וָאֶעֱשֶׂה־לְּךָ שֵׁם גָּדוֹל – wa'a'aseh-l'kha shem gadol):

  • wa'a'aseh: The Qal perfect of "to make/do." God is the active subject, the one creating this status for David.
  • shem gadol: "A great name." In the ancient Near East, a "name" (שֵׁם, shem) represented a person's character, reputation, authority, and often their legacy and dynasty. To have a "great name" was to possess lasting fame, renown, and a significant dynastic future. This echoes the promise made to Abraham (Gen 12:2).
  • Significance: This shifts from military accomplishment to lasting honor and status. It is a promise of enduring legacy, indicating divine elevation and blessing, establishing David's prominence not by his own efforts but by God's decree. This greatness is tied to his line, promising a dynasty.

• like the name of the great men who are on the earth (כְּשֵׁם הַגְּדֹלִים אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ – k'shem ha-g'dolim asher ba'aretz):

  • k'shem ha-g'dolim: "Like the name of the great ones/powerful men." This comparison suggests David's future reputation will be on par with the most renowned kings and empires of his time. This doesn't limit God's power but rather frames David's elevation in understandable terms for David and his contemporaries.
  • ba'aretz: "On the earth." Referring to worldwide recognition or, more locally, within the sphere of influence.
  • Significance: While comparing David to earthly great figures, the crucial difference is that their greatness is often achieved through conquest, political maneuvering, or self-promotion. David's "great name" is a direct, unilateral gift from God. This subtly contrasts pagan rulers who deified themselves or attributed their power to false gods, highlighting YHWH as the true source of all legitimate power and lasting renown. David's greatness is therefore more enduring and truly significant because it is divinely established and maintained.

2 Samuel 7 9 Bonus section

The concept of "name" (shem) in Hebrew thought is profoundly important, encompassing reputation, character, essence, and dynasty. When God promises to "make David's name great," it's not merely a personal title but a guaranteed enduring legacy for his descendants and, most significantly, the Messianic line that culminates in Jesus Christ, whose "name" embodies divine authority and eternal reign. The repetition of "great name" connects David to the Abrahamic promise (Gen 12:2), suggesting David as a fulfiller of and bridge to the covenant promises for all Israel. This verse implicitly teaches a key principle: true and lasting greatness is not self-made but is a divine bestowal based on covenant faithfulness, making God the ultimate Giver of honor and status to those He chooses.

2 Samuel 7 9 Commentary

2 Samuel 7:9 serves as a potent reminder of divine sovereignty and grace underlying David's reign. It establishes the theological framework for the Davidic covenant by reviewing God's past, unwavering faithfulness. Far from David having achieved his success by his own might or cunning, God declares His constant, active presence as the true source of David's victories over enemies and his eventual "great name." This sets up a crucial contrast: David desires to build a "house" (temple) for God, but God asserts that He has already been and will continue to be the architect of David's own "house" (dynasty and reputation). This unilateral bestowal of honor and protection highlights that human endeavors are only successful when divinely sanctioned and empowered. The "great name" is not just personal fame but a prophetic assurance of an enduring lineage, pointing towards the ultimate "Son of David" whose name would truly be above every name. It underscores that lasting legacy comes from God's promise, not human ambition.