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 encapsulates King David's profound and worshipful response to God's unsolicited and astonishing covenant promise, serving as a pivotal declaration within his prayer of thanksgiving. This verse expresses David's fervent desire for God's name to be eternally glorified, acknowledges the Lord's supreme and active sovereignty over Israel, and voices his confident 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, recorded in [2 Samuel 7:18-29](/2_samuel/7-18-29 "2 Samuel 7:18-29 - David's Prayer of Thanksgiving"). This prayer immediately follows the momentous Davidic Covenant, which the prophet Nathan delivered to David in [2 Samuel 7:1-17](/2_samuel/7-1-17 "2 Samuel 7:1-17 - The Davidic Covenant"). In this covenant, God, not David, initiates a unilateral 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, faithfulness, and the unparalleled nature of His promises. His prayer demonstrates a deep understanding that God's plan is far grander than his own.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this profound interaction is early in David's reign as king over all Israel, after he has successfully 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 comfortable "house of cedar" ([2 Samuel 7:2](/2_samuel/7-2 "2 Samuel 7:2 - David's Desire to Build a Temple")), feels a compelling desire to build a more fitting dwelling for the Lord. However, God rejects this offer, instead promising to establish David's "house" (dynasty) forever. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the concept of a "house" frequently referred to a lineage, family, or dynasty, not merely a physical structure. The divine 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 the commander of heavenly armies and the sovereign ruler over all creation, capable of fulfilling His grandest promises.

* **Key Themes:** 2 Samuel 7:26 contributes significantly to several major themes woven throughout the book of 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. It prominently highlights the theme of **God's Unconditional Covenant Faithfulness**, as David's prayer is a direct response to an unmerited and unbreakable divine promise. It profoundly underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, affirming that "The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel," which means He is the ultimate ruler, protector, and active participant in the history and destiny of His people. Furthermore, David's fervent desire for God's name to be "magnified for ever" emphasizes **The Supremacy of God's Glory** above all human accomplishments, desires, or earthly kingdoms. Finally, the verse clearly articulates the establishment of the **Davidic Dynasty**, a foundational promise that finds its ultimate, eternal fulfillment in the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah, as powerfully foreshadowed in prophetic passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom") and later unequivocally confirmed in the New Testament concerning Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Magnified (Hebrew, _gâdal_):** From H1431, this primitive root properly means "to twist," but causatively, "to be (or make) large" in various senses, including honor. When applied to God's name, it signifies the fervent desire for God's inherent 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 forth* and *proclaimed* without end, impacting all generations.
* **Hosts (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ_):** From H6635, this word refers to "a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially regularly organized for war (an army)." In the title "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth), it emphasizes God's sovereign power as the commander of heavenly armies (celestial beings) and the supreme ruler over all creation. This title conveys His omnipotence, majesty, and absolute capacity to fulfill His promises, assuring David that the One making the covenant is fully capable of establishing an eternal kingdom and maintaining His people.
* **Established (Hebrew, _kûwn_):** From H3559, this primitive root properly means "to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular)"; hence, causatively, "to set up" or "to make firm, secure, enduring, or confirmed." David's prayer for his "house" to be "established" reflects his confident 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 and faithfulness, not by human effort or strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And let thy name be magnified for ever":** This opening clause reveals David's primary focus and deepest desire: the exaltation of God's character, reputation, and glory. Despite receiving an incredible personal promise, David's first and enduring aspiration is for God's renown to be paramount and eternally recognized. This demonstrates a heart aligned with God's ultimate purpose—His own self-glory—and sets a template for all worshipful prayer, prioritizing God's honor above all else.
* **"saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God over Israel":** This phrase articulates the very content of the magnification of God's name. It is a profound theological declaration affirming God's unique, powerful, and exclusive relationship with Israel. By using the majestic title "The 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, all-powerful ruler of their nation and destiny, worthy of eternal praise.
* **"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, demonstrating David's trust and submission. 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 or merit.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 7:26 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. It functions primarily as a **Doxology** and a **Petition**, embedded within a larger **Prayer** of thanksgiving. The phrase "let thy name be magnified" utilizes the **Imperative Mood** to express a fervent desire, highlighting David's passionate longing for God's glory to be universally recognized and celebrated. The divine title "**The LORD of hosts**" serves as a powerful **Epithet**, emphasizing God's military might, universal dominion, and His absolute capacity to establish an eternal kingdom. There is also a strong element of **Covenant Language** as David reiterates and affirms the terms of the Davidic Covenant, demonstrating his acceptance, faith, and desire to see God's promises fulfilled. The entire chapter, culminating in this prayer, showcases a profound **Divine Reversal**, where God's generosity in promising to build David's "house" far surpasses David's initial intention to build God a "house," illustrating God's boundless grace and sovereign initiative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:26 stands as a theological lynchpin, seamlessly connecting the immediate reality of David's reign to the grand sweep of redemptive history. It powerfully 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 or earthly ambition, demonstrating that true blessing and fulfillment are found in the magnification of the Divine. The declaration "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 unwavering faithfulness, omnipotent power, and active governance. 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 divinely appointed vehicle through which God's eternal rule would ultimately be manifested to the world.

* [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/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:26 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers, particularly concerning our approach to God in prayer and our posture in 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, majesty, and renown to be known and celebrated in our lives, in our communities, and throughout the world—rather than focusing solely on our own needs, desires, or aspirations. This fundamental shift in perspective transforms our prayers into acts of worship and our lives into living testimonies of His sovereignty. Furthermore, David's humble acceptance and confident petition for the fulfillment of God's promise encourage 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 personal circumstances and in the grand tapestry of world events, fostering a spirit of profound 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 and motivations?**
* **In what specific, tangible ways can I actively seek to magnify God's name in my daily life, relationships, and spheres of influence?**
* **How does recognizing "The LORD of hosts [is] the God over Israel" impact my understanding of God's sovereignty over my personal circumstances and the broader events of the world?**
* **What promises of God am I currently praying for, and how can I pray with David's blend of humble thanksgiving and confident faith in God's ability to establish His word?**

### 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 from His people. While God's word is absolutely certain and His promises are unbreakable, human prayer is a divinely ordained means by which believers align themselves with God's will and participate in its unfolding fulfillment. David is not asking God to *change* His mind or *force* His hand, but rather expressing his humble acceptance of the covenant, his deep gratitude, and his fervent desire to see God's glorious plan unfold. It is an act of worship, demonstrating his belief in God's faithfulness and his longing for God's name to be magnified through the very realization of these promises. This pattern is common throughout Scripture; for example, Daniel prayed earnestly for the restoration of Jerusalem even though God had explicitly promised it ([Daniel 9:2-3](/daniel/9-2-3 "Daniel 9:2-3 - Daniel's Prayer for Jerusalem")).

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