2 Samuel 7:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 7:15 stands as a cornerstone within the Davidic Covenant, a divine promise delivered through the prophet Nathan, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to King David's lineage. This verse powerfully distinguishes God's enduring commitment to David's throne from His dealings with the previous king, Saul, whose kingdom was removed due to disobedience. It highlights the unconditional nature of God's mercy towards David's descendants, even in their failures, and reaffirms His sovereign authority in establishing and removing kings, ultimately pointing to an eternal kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is embedded within God's comprehensive response to David's heartfelt desire to build a magnificent temple for the Lord, as expressed in [2 Samuel 7:2](/2_samuel/7-2 "2 Samuel 7:2 - David's desire to build a house for God"). Rather than accepting David's offer to construct a physical "house" (temple) for Him, God sovereignly declares His intention to build David a "house" (dynasty or lineage) that will endure forever. The preceding verses of this covenant, particularly [2 Samuel 7:12-14](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-14 - God's Promise to David's Son"), establish that David's son will indeed build the temple, and God will establish his kingdom, even promising to chasten him if he errs. Verse 15 then provides a crucial, clarifying contrast, emphasizing the eternal and unconditional nature of God's commitment to the Davidic throne, distinguishing it sharply from the temporary and conditional reign of Saul.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is early monarchic Israel, a period of transition from a loose tribal confederacy to a centralized kingdom under David. The concept of a "house" or dynasty was paramount in ancient Near Eastern kingship, signifying legitimacy, continuity, and divine favor. Kings were often seen as divine representatives, and their stability was linked to the deity's blessing. Saul, the first king, had been chosen by God but subsequently rejected due to his disobedience, particularly in [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection"). This historical precedent of a divinely appointed king being "put away" provides the backdrop for understanding the profound significance of God's promise to David: His mercy would *not* be taken from David's line, unlike Saul's. This promise established a new, enduring covenant that transcended the failures of individual kings within David's lineage.

* **Key Themes:** The central promise in [2 Samuel 7:15](/2_samuel/7-15 "2 Samuel 7:15 - God's Mercy to David's Line") is God's "unfailing mercy" (Hebrew: _chesed_), which will not depart from David's line. This signifies an enduring, unconditional commitment to the Davidic dynasty, extending even through the failures of individual kings. The verse explicitly draws a stark **contrast with King Saul**, highlighting that God's 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, as detailed in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection for Disobedience"). This contrast underscores God's **divine sovereignty** in establishing and removing kings based on His righteous judgment and overarching plan. The phrase "whom I put away before thee" powerfully reinforces God's absolute authority. Ultimately, this promise is a cornerstone of **the enduring Davidic Covenant**, a foundational biblical prophecy that points forward to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate "son of David" and whose kingdom will truly have no end, as prophesied in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Eternal Reign").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥesed_):** This rich Hebrew term is far more profound than mere pity or compassion. It encompasses concepts of loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast devotion, kindness, and unfailing commitment. In this context, _ḥesed_ emphasizes the enduring, unchanging, and unbreakable nature of God's covenant commitment to David and his lineage. It signifies a relationship characterized by fidelity and unwavering support, even when the human party falters. Its use here highlights the unconditional aspect of the Davidic Covenant in contrast to the conditional Mosaic Covenant.
* **Depart away (Hebrew, _sûr_):** The verb _sûr_ means "to turn aside," "to remove," or "to depart." In the negative ("shall not depart"), it emphasizes the permanence and immutability of God's promise. Unlike Saul's kingdom, which was _sûr_ (removed), God's _ḥesed_ will not _sûr_ from David's line. This linguistic parallel underscores the stark difference in the nature of the two kingships and God's respective dealings with them.
* **Put away (Hebrew, _sûr_):** Used again, this time actively by God, "whom I put away before thee." This active voice emphasizes God's sovereign agency in the removal of Saul. It was not a mere consequence of Saul's actions but a direct, deliberate, and authoritative act of God. This highlights divine prerogative in choosing and deposing kings, setting the stage for David's divinely established and enduring dynasty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But my mercy shall not depart away from him,"**: This clause introduces the core promise, emphasizing the steadfastness of God's _ḥesed_ (loyal love/covenant faithfulness) towards David's "seed" or "son" (referring to Solomon and, by extension, the entire Davidic dynasty). The negation "shall not depart away" highlights the permanence of this divine commitment, assuring an enduring relationship despite any future failures of David's descendants. This signifies an unconditional aspect of the covenant related to the continuity of the dynasty.
* **"as I took [it] from Saul,"**: This phrase establishes a direct and powerful contrast. The "it" implicitly refers to God's favor, blessing, or covenant relationship that was withdrawn from Saul. This withdrawal was a consequence of Saul's repeated disobedience and rejection of God's commands, leading to the termination of his dynastic aspirations. This part of the verse serves as a historical reminder and a theological anchor, demonstrating God's justice and sovereignty in dealing with kings.
* **"whom I put away before thee."**: This final segment explicitly states God's sovereign act in removing Saul from kingship. The phrase "before thee" means "in your presence" or "for your benefit," underscoring that David himself witnessed this divine act and was the beneficiary of Saul's removal, as it cleared the path for his own ascension to the throne. This reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty and the purposeful nature of God's historical interventions.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Samuel 7:15 is **Contrast**. The verse explicitly contrasts God's treatment of David's lineage with His treatment of Saul, highlighting the enduring nature of the Davidic Covenant versus the conditional and terminated nature of Saul's kingship. This contrast serves to underscore the unique and unconditional promise given to David. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Covenant Language**, as the entire chapter is dedicated to establishing a formal, divinely initiated covenant. The use of "mercy" (_ḥesed_) is a key term in covenant theology, denoting God's faithful adherence to His promises. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the promise of an enduring dynasty, despite the failures of individual kings, subtly points towards a future, perfect King whose reign would truly be eternal and unbroken, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:15 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. It reveals that while human obedience is important, God's ultimate plans and promises are grounded in His unchanging character and sovereign will, rather than solely dependent on human performance. The distinction between God's dealings with Saul and David's line underscores the concept of divine election and the unconditional elements of God's grace within a covenant relationship. Even when David's descendants would sin and face divine discipline (as mentioned in [2 Samuel 7:14](/2_samuel/7-14 "2 Samuel 7:14 - God's Discipline for David's Son")), God's covenant loyalty to the dynasty itself would not be revoked. This sets the Davidic Covenant apart as a testament to God's enduring commitment to His chosen people and His redemptive plan, providing a secure foundation for the hope of a coming Messiah.

* [1 Samuel 15:28](/1_samuel/15-28 "1 Samuel 15:28 - Samuel's Prophecy to Saul")
* [Psalm 89:33-34](/psalms/89-33 "Psalm 89:33-34 - God's Unfailing Covenant with David")
* [Isaiah 55:3](/isaiah/55-3 "Isaiah 55:3 - The Sure Mercies of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of 2 Samuel 7:15 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon our perfect performance, but rather upon His unchanging character and His sovereign, eternal purposes. Just as God remained true to His covenant with David's lineage despite their imperfections and failures, so too does He remain faithful to His new covenant people, the Church. This verse encourages us to trust in God's steadfast love (_ḥesed_) even when we stumble, knowing that His ultimate plan for salvation and His kingdom will prevail. It fosters a deep sense of security, reminding us that our hope is anchored not in our own strength or righteousness, but in the unshakeable promises of a faithful God who "will never leave us nor forsake us." It calls us to rest in His sovereign grace, understanding that our salvation and future are secured by His eternal decree, not by our fleeting efforts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's unwavering mercy toward David's line, contrasted with Saul's rejection, deepen your understanding of God's justice and grace?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more fully in God's unchanging _ḥesed_ (steadfast love) rather than your own performance?**
* **How does the permanence of the Davidic Covenant, as highlighted in this verse, inform your hope for the future and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that God is the one who "puts away" and "establishes" leaders, and how does that affect your perspective on earthly authority?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean David's descendants were immune to punishment for their sins?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply immunity from punishment. While God's mercy and covenant loyalty (His _ḥesed_) would not "depart away" from David's line in the sense of completely revoking the dynasty, the preceding verse, [2 Samuel 7:14](/2_samuel/7-14 "2 Samuel 7:14 - Discipline for David's Son"), explicitly states: "If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men." This means individual kings would face discipline, even severe consequences, for their disobedience. However, unlike Saul's kingdom, which was entirely "put away," David's dynasty would endure. The promise in [2 Samuel 7:15](/2_samuel/7-15 "2 Samuel 7:15 - God's Mercy to David's Line") guarantees the continuity of the lineage, not the sinlessness or freedom from discipline for every individual within it. It highlights God's commitment to His covenant promise despite human failure, ensuring the line through which the Messiah would eventually come.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 7:15 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Son of David. While the immediate promise was to Solomon and his successors, the underlying divine intent was to establish an everlasting kingdom that transcended the limitations and failures of human kings. Jesus, born of the lineage of David, as affirmed in [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 1:32](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32 - Jesus, Son of the Most High"), is the one in whom God's promise of an enduring kingdom finds its perfect expression. Unlike any earthly king, Jesus never committed iniquity; therefore, God's mercy and covenant faithfulness never needed to be "taken away" from Him. His kingdom is not subject to earthly powers or human sin, but is an everlasting dominion, as prophesied in [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Messiah") and proclaimed by the angel Gabriel in [Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Have No End"). Through Christ, God's _ḥesed_ is not merely guaranteed to a dynasty, but is poured out upon all who believe, establishing an eternal spiritual kingdom where His mercy reigns supreme. He is the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice secures a covenant that can never be broken, fulfilling the promise that God's mercy would never "depart away" from His chosen King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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: