2 Samuel 7:27

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

For thou, O LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, hast revealed {H1540}{H241} to thy servant {H5650}, saying {H559}, I will build {H1129} thee an house {H1004}: therefore hath thy servant {H5650} found {H4672} in his heart {H3820} to pray {H6419} this prayer {H8605} unto thee.

You, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, God of Isra'el, have disclosed to your servant, 'I will build you a house.'This is why your servant has the courage to pray this prayer to you.

For You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore Your servant has found the courage to offer this prayer to You.

For thou, O Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee a house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

2 Samuel 7:27 captures a pivotal moment in King David's life: his humble and thankful response to God's astonishing promise. This verse concludes David's confession of God's greatness and sets the stage for his extended prayer in the subsequent verses. It highlights that David's prayer is not presumptuous, but a direct, heartfelt response to a divine revelation.

Context

This verse is deeply embedded in the narrative of 2 Samuel chapter 7. David, now established as king in Jerusalem, desired to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, feeling it was inappropriate for him to live in a palace of cedar while God's presence resided in a tent (2 Samuel 7:2). However, through the prophet Nathan, God revealed that David would not build Him a house. Instead, God declared, "I will build thee an house" (2 Samuel 7:11). This 'house' referred not to a physical structure, but to David's dynasty—a promise that his throne and kingdom would be established forever. David's prayer in verse 27 is a direct, grateful acknowledgment of this unsolicited and eternal Davidic Covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Grace: The verse emphasizes that God's revelation and promise ("I will build thee an house") completely precede and prompt David's prayer. David is not earning the promise; he is responding to God's unmerited favor.
  • The Davidic Covenant: This is the cornerstone of the verse. God's promise to establish David's "house" and kingdom forever is a messianic prophecy, ultimately fulfilled in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Luke 1:32-33).
  • Prayer as a Response to Revelation: David's prayer is born out of understanding God's revealed will. He prays with confidence and gratitude because God has spoken. This teaches us that true prayer often flows from a heart that has received and believed God's promises.
  • Humility and Awe: Despite his status as king, David approaches God with profound humility, recognizing God's immense power and faithfulness as "LORD of hosts, God of Israel."

Linguistic Insights

  • "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth): This powerful divine title, frequently used in the Old Testament, describes God as the sovereign commander of heavenly armies (angels) and earthly forces. It underscores His omnipotence and ability to fulfill His promises, bringing a sense of reverence to David's address.
  • "House" (Hebrew: bayith): The word 'house' here carries a crucial double meaning. David intended to build God a physical dwelling place (a temple), but God promised to build David a lasting "house" in the sense of a dynasty, a lineage, and a royal family. This play on words highlights God's superior and eternal plan compared to human intentions.

Practical Application

David's response in 2 Samuel 7:27 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • Praying with Assurance: We can pray with confidence and boldness when our prayers align with God's revealed will and promises, just as David did (1 John 5:14).
  • Gratitude as a Foundation for Prayer: David's prayer is steeped in gratitude for God's unexpected grace. Our prayers should similarly begin with thanksgiving for who God is and what He has already done.
  • Trusting God's Greater Plan: Sometimes our desires (like David's desire to build a temple) are good, but God has a far greater, more enduring plan. This verse encourages us to surrender our plans and embrace God's sovereign purposes, knowing His "house" (kingdom) is eternal.
  • Humility in God's Presence: Recognizing God's power and faithfulness, as David did by addressing Him as "LORD of hosts, God of Israel," cultivates a humble and reverent heart in prayer.
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 Chronicles 17:25

    For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found [in his heart] to pray before thee.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:26

    And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

  • Ruth 4:4

    And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy [it] before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem [it], redeem [it]: but if thou wilt not redeem [it, then] tell me, that I may know: for [there is] none to redeem [it] beside thee; and I [am] after thee. And he said, I will redeem [it].

  • Psalms 10:17

    LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

  • 1 Samuel 9:15

    Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

  • Psalms 40:6

    ¶ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
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