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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And let thy name {H8034} be magnified {H1431} for {H5704} ever {H5769}, saying {H559}, The LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} is the God {H430} over Israel {H3478}: and let the house {H1004} of thy servant {H5650} David {H1732} be established {H3559} before {H6440} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

May your name be magnified forever, so that it will be said, 'ADONAI-Tzva'ot is God over Isra'el, and the dynasty of your servant David will be set up in your presence.'

Berean Standard Bible

so that Your name will be magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts is God over Israel.’ And the house of Your servant David will be established before You.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 7:26 stands as a profound declaration within King David's prayer of thanksgiving, a humble and worshipful response to God's astonishing and unsolicited covenant promise. This verse encapsulates David's fervent desire for God's name to be eternally glorified, acknowledging the Lord's supreme sovereignty over Israel, and expressing faith in the divine establishment of his own dynasty, ultimately pointing towards the enduring reign of the promised Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of David's prayer of thanksgiving found in [2 Samuel 7:18-29](/2_samuel/7-18 "2 Samuel 7:18-29 - David's Prayer of Thanksgiving"). This prayer immediately follows the pivotal Davidic Covenant, delivered by the prophet Nathan in [2 Samuel 7:1-17](/2_samuel/7-17 "2 Samuel 7:1-17 - The Davidic Covenant"). In this covenant, God, not David, initiates the promise, declaring that He will build David a "house" – an enduring dynasty and an eternal kingdom – far exceeding David's initial desire to build a physical temple for God. David's prayer is a model of humble, grateful, and faith-filled response to this astonishing, unconditional grace, where he marvels at God's greatness and faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is early in David's reign as king over all Israel, after he has secured Jerusalem as his capital and brought the Ark of the Covenant there ([2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - The Ark Comes to Jerusalem")). David, now settled in a "house of cedar" ([2 Samuel 7:2](/2_samuel/7-2 "2 Samuel 7:2 - David's Desire to Build a Temple")), feels compelled to build a more fitting dwelling for God. However, God rejects this offer, instead promising to establish David's "house" (dynasty) forever. The concept of a "house" in ancient Near Eastern thought often referred to a lineage or dynasty, not just a physical building. The title "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) would have resonated deeply in a society familiar with military power and divine intervention in battle, emphasizing God's supreme authority as commander of heavenly armies and all creation.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Samuel 7:26 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **God's Unconditional Covenant Faithfulness**, as David's prayer is a response to an unmerited promise. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, affirming that "The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel," meaning He is the ultimate ruler and protector of His people, actively involved in their history. Furthermore, David's desire for God's name to be "magnified for ever" emphasizes **The Supremacy of God's Glory** above all human accomplishments or desires. Finally, the verse clearly articulates the establishment of the **Davidic Dynasty**, a foundational promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah, as foreshadowed in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom") and later confirmed in the New Testament concerning Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Magnified (Hebrew, _gadal_):** This verb means "to be great," "to grow," or "to be exalted." When applied to God's name, it signifies the desire for God's greatness, majesty, and renown to be made evident, acknowledged, and celebrated universally and eternally. David's prayer is not merely for God to be great (which He inherently is), but for His greatness to be *shown* and *proclaimed* without end.
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yahweh Sabaoth_):** This powerful divine title, frequently used in the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books, emphasizes God's sovereign power as the commander of heavenly armies (celestial beings) and the supreme ruler over all creation. It conveys His omnipotence, majesty, and capacity to fulfill His promises, assuring David that the One making the covenant is fully capable of establishing an eternal kingdom. It highlights His unique relationship as the warrior God of Israel.
* **Established (Hebrew, _kun_):** This verb implies being made firm, secure, enduring, or confirmed. David's prayer for his "house" to be "established" reflects his faith in God's promise to make his dynasty permanent and secure. It is a prayer for the divine promise of an everlasting kingdom to be fully realized and maintained by God's own power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And let thy name be magnified for ever":** This opening clause reveals David's primary focus: the exaltation of God's character and reputation. Despite receiving an incredible personal promise, David's first and enduring desire is for God's glory to be paramount and eternally recognized. This demonstrates a heart aligned with God's ultimate purpose – His own self-glorification – and sets a template for worshipful prayer.
* **"saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God over Israel":** This phrase serves as the content of the magnification of God's name. It is a theological declaration affirming God's unique, powerful, and exclusive relationship with Israel. By using the title "LORD of hosts," David acknowledges God's supreme authority, omnipotence, and active rule over His chosen people, emphasizing that He is not merely a deity among others, but the sovereign ruler of their nation and destiny.
* **"and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee":** This final clause is David's humble yet confident petition for the fulfillment of God's covenant promise regarding his dynasty. It is a prayer of faith, asking God to bring to pass what He has already declared. The phrase "before thee" signifies that this establishment is under God's direct oversight, by His power, and for His glory, emphasizing divine initiative and sustenance rather than human effort.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 7:26 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. It is primarily a **Declaration** of God's sovereignty and a **Petition** for the fulfillment of His covenant, embedded within a larger **Prayer** of thanksgiving. The phrase "let thy name be magnified" uses **Imperative Mood** to express a fervent desire, functioning as a doxology that places God's glory at the forefront. The title "**The LORD of hosts**" serves as a powerful **Epithet**, emphasizing God's military might and universal dominion, reinforcing His ability to establish an eternal kingdom. There is also an element of **Covenant Language** as David reiterates and affirms the terms of the Davidic Covenant, demonstrating his acceptance and faith in God's word. The repetition of the concept of "house" (David's desire to build God a house, God promising to build David a house) throughout [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") creates a profound **Thematic Parallelism** and a beautiful **Divine Reversal**, where God's generosity far surpasses human intention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:26 is a theological lynchpin, connecting the immediate reality of David's reign to the grand sweep of redemptive history. It underscores the biblical principle that God's glory is the ultimate end of all His works, including His covenant promises to humanity. David's response models a faith that prioritizes God's name and character above personal gain, demonstrating that true blessing lies in the magnification of the Divine. The declaration of "The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel" solidifies the concept of God's unique and sovereign relationship with His chosen people, a relationship characterized by faithfulness and power. This verse also serves as a crucial link in the unfolding narrative of God's kingdom, establishing the enduring nature of the Davidic line as the vehicle through which God's eternal rule would ultimately be manifested.

* [Psalm 72:19](/psalms/72-19 "Psalm 72:19 - Blessed be His glorious name forever")
* [1 Chronicles 17:24](/1_chronicles/17-24 "1 Chronicles 17:24 - God's Name Magnified")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:26 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, particularly in how we approach God in prayer and life. It teaches us to cultivate a heart that prioritizes God's glory above all else. Like David, our deepest desire should be for God's name to be magnified, for His greatness to be known and celebrated in our lives and throughout the world, rather than focusing solely on our own needs or aspirations. This shift in perspective transforms our prayers into acts of worship and our lives into testimonies of His sovereignty. Furthermore, David's humble acceptance and confident petition for the fulfillment of God's promise encourages us to trust implicitly in God's faithfulness. Even when God's promises seem too grand or beyond our comprehension, we are called to believe them and pray for their realization, knowing that the "LORD of hosts" is fully capable of bringing His word to pass. This verse calls us to acknowledge God's active and sovereign rule in our lives and in the world, fostering a spirit of thanksgiving for His past faithfulness and a hopeful anticipation of His future work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate desire for God's name to be magnified challenge my own prayer priorities?**
* **In what specific ways can I actively seek to magnify God's name in my daily life and interactions?**
* **How does recognizing "The LORD of hosts [is] the God over Israel" impact my understanding of God's sovereignty over my own circumstances and the world's events?**
* **What promises of God am I currently praying for, and how can I pray with David's blend of humble thanksgiving and confident faith?**

### FAQ
**Why does David pray for something God has already promised? Does this imply a lack of faith?**

Answer: David's prayer for his house to be "established" does not imply a lack of faith, but rather a profound understanding of the nature of prayer and God's sovereignty. In biblical theology, God's promises are often given to provoke a response of faith and prayer. While God's word is certain, human prayer is a means by which believers align themselves with God's will and participate in its fulfillment. David is not asking God to *change* His mind or *force* His hand, but rather expressing his humble acceptance of the covenant and his desire to see God's glorious plan unfold. It's an act of worship, demonstrating his belief in God's faithfulness and his longing for God's name to be magnified through the very fulfillment of these promises. This is a common pattern in Scripture; for example, Daniel prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem even though God had promised it ([Daniel 9:2-3](/daniel/9-2 "Daniel 9:2-3 - Daniel's Prayer for Jerusalem")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 7:26 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's prayer for his "house" to be "established before thee" points directly to the enduring and eternal kingdom of the Messiah, the true Son of David. The promises made to David in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Promise to David's Seed") find their perfect realization not in Solomon, but in Jesus, whose kingdom "will have no end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Jesus")). It is through Christ that God's name is most profoundly "magnified for ever." As the incarnate "LORD of hosts," Jesus perfectly reveals the Father's character and power. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension are the ultimate demonstration of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The establishment of David's house culminates in Christ, who sits on an eternal throne, and through whom God's name is exalted "far above every name" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exalted Name")). Thus, David's humble prayer becomes a prophetic anticipation of the everlasting reign of the King of kings, whose kingdom will indeed endure forever, bringing eternal glory to the name of God.

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 Chronicles 17:23

Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

1 Chronicles 17:24

Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God of Israel, [even] a God to Israel: and [let] the house of David thy servant [be] established before thee.

Matthew 6:9

¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Psalms 72:18

¶ Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

Psalms 72:19

And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory; Amen, and Amen.

Genesis 17:18

And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

1 Chronicles 29:10

¶ Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.