2 Samuel 7:26

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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

2 Samuel 7:26 is a pivotal verse within King David's prayer of thanksgiving, following God's profound covenant promise to him. It encapsulates David's humble and worshipful response to God's astonishing grace.

Context

This verse is part of David's heartfelt prayer found in 2 Samuel 7:18-29. This prayer immediately follows God's amazing declaration to David through the prophet Nathan. In this Davidic Covenant, God promised David an eternal dynasty and a lasting kingdom, a promise far beyond David's initial desire to build a house for God. David's response is one of overwhelming gratitude and a deep desire for God's glory to be paramount.

Key Themes

  • Magnifying God's Name: David's primary desire is not for his own glory or the security of his kingdom, but for God's name to be "magnified for ever." This reflects a heart centered on God's supremacy and everlasting fame.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Israel: The declaration "The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel" affirms God's unique and powerful relationship with His chosen people. It acknowledges His absolute authority and protection over them.
  • Confirmation of the Davidic Covenant: David reiterates the core of God's promise, asking that "the house of thy servant David be established before thee." This shows his faith in God's word and his desire for the divine promise to be fulfilled, ultimately pointing towards the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the descendant of David.
  • Humble Thanksgiving: The entire prayer, including this verse, is a model of humble thanksgiving, where David marvels at God's goodness and seeks His glory above all else.

Linguistic Insights

  • "The LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth): This powerful title emphasizes God's sovereign power as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation. It conveys His omnipotence and majesty, assuring David that the one making these promises is fully capable of fulfilling them. This title is common in prophetic books, highlighting God's mighty rule.
  • "magnified for ever": The Hebrew word for "magnified" (gadal) means to be made great, to be exalted. David desires God's greatness to be continually and eternally recognized and celebrated.
  • "established": The Hebrew word (kun) implies being made firm, secure, and enduring. David prays for the permanence of his dynasty, reflecting God's promise.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 7:26 teaches us several vital lessons for our own faith and prayer life:

  • Prioritize God's Glory: Like David, our prayers should begin with and consistently return to magnifying God's name, acknowledging His greatness and sovereignty before presenting our requests. This shifts our focus from ourselves to Him.
  • Trust God's Promises: David's prayer is an act of faith, believing God's seemingly impossible promises and asking for their fulfillment. We too can trust in God's faithful character and His word.
  • Acknowledge God's Authority: Recognizing "The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel" reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and the world. He is not a distant deity but an active, sovereign ruler.
  • Pray with Thanksgiving: David's prayer is saturated with gratitude. Cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving, even for blessings we haven't yet received but are promised, deepens our relationship with God. Our desire should be to magnify God's name in all circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Samuel: The Last Judge and First Prophet of the Monarchy An Introduction to 2 Samuel: The Reign of David David and Bathsheba: A King's Great Sin David Becomes King of Israel Comparing Saul and David: Two Kings, Two Hearts

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.
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