2 Samuel 7:15

But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

But my mercy {H2617} shall not depart away {H5493} from him, as I took {H5493} it from Saul {H7586}, whom I put away {H5493} before {H6440} thee.

nevertheless, my grace will not leave him, as I took it away from Sha'ul, whom I removed from before you.

But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I moved out of your way.

but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

2 Samuel 7:15 is a pivotal verse within the Davidic Covenant, a foundational promise from God to King David through the prophet Nathan. This verse highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and distinguishes His relationship with David's lineage from His dealings with the previous king, Saul.

Context

This verse is part of God's response to David's desire to build a magnificent temple for the Lord (2 Samuel 7:2). Instead of accepting David's offer to build Him a "house" (temple), God promises to build David a "house" (dynasty or lineage) that will endure forever. The preceding verses of this covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-14) establish that David's son will build the temple, and God will establish his kingdom, even chastening him if he errs. Verse 15 then provides a crucial contrast, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's commitment to David's throne.

Key Themes

  • God's Unfailing Mercy and Covenant Loyalty: The central promise is that God's "mercy" (Hebrew: chesed, often translated as steadfast love or covenant loyalty) will not depart from David's line. This signifies an enduring, unconditional commitment to the Davidic dynasty, even through the failures of individual kings.
  • Contrast with King Saul: The verse explicitly draws a parallel and a stark distinction between David and Saul. God states that His mercy will *not* be taken from David's descendants as it was taken from Saul. Saul's kingdom was removed due to his disobedience and rejection of God's commands (1 Samuel 15:23). This highlights God's sovereign right to establish and remove kings based on His divine plan and justice.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The phrase "whom I put away before thee" underscores God's absolute authority in the selection and removal of leaders. It was God who appointed Saul, and it was God who "put him away" (removed him from kingship) to make way for David.
  • The Enduring Davidic Covenant: This promise is a cornerstone of biblical prophecy, ultimately pointing to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate "son of David" and whose kingdom will truly have no end (Luke 1:32-33).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mercy" here is chesed (חֶסֶד). This rich term goes beyond mere pity, encompassing concepts of loyal love, covenant faithfulness, kindness, and steadfast devotion. Its use here emphasizes the enduring, unchanging nature of God's commitment to David and his lineage, regardless of human failings, in stark contrast to the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant or the temporary nature of Saul's reign.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement regarding God's faithfulness. Just as God remained true to His covenant with David despite the imperfections of David's descendants, He remains faithful to His people today. It reminds us that while our obedience is important, God's ultimate plan and promises are grounded in His unchanging character and sovereign will. We can trust in His steadfast love and the eternal nature of His kingdom, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 15:23

    For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.

  • 1 Samuel 15:28

    And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, [that is] better than thou.

  • Psalms 89:28

    My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

  • 1 Samuel 16:14

    ¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

  • 1 Kings 11:13

    Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; [but] will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • 2 Samuel 7:14

    I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
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