2 Samuel 7:27

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 7:27 marks a profound turning point in David's life, capturing his humble and awe-filled response to God's astonishing and unsolicited promise. Having desired to build a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, David is instead told by God that God Himself will build David an enduring "house"—a dynasty that will last forever. This verse encapsulates David's recognition that his prayer is not a presumptuous request but a direct, Spirit-prompted outpouring of gratitude and faith, born from the revelation of God's sovereign and gracious plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of David's initial response to the Davidic Covenant, immediately following God's monumental promise delivered through the prophet Nathan in [2 Samuel 7:1-17](/2_samuel/7-1 "God's Covenant with David"). David had expressed a desire to build a temple for the Lord ([2 Samuel 7:2](/2_samuel/7-2 "David's Desire to Build a Temple")), but God, through Nathan, decisively rejected this human initiative, declaring instead His own intention: "I will build you a house" ([2 Samuel 7:11](/2_samuel/7-11 "God's Promise of a Dynasty")). This divine promise shifts the focus from a physical temple to an eternal dynasty, ensuring David's throne and kingdom would be established forever ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "The Eternal Davidic Covenant")). Verse 27 serves as David's humble and grateful acknowledgment of this covenant, preceding his extended prayer of thanksgiving and petition in [2 Samuel 7:18-29](/2_samuel/7-18 "David's Prayer of Thanksgiving").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign marked a period of significant consolidation and expansion for Israel. Jerusalem had been established as the capital, and the Ark of the Covenant brought there, symbolizing God's presence among His people. In the ancient Near East, kings often sought to legitimize their rule and honor their gods by constructing grand temples. David's desire to build a temple for Yahweh was thus culturally understandable. However, God's response in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "The Davidic Covenant") subverts this expectation, emphasizing divine initiative over human effort. The concept of a "house" (dynasty) was paramount for establishing stability and continuity in ancient monarchies, making God's promise of an eternal house for David exceptionally significant. This covenant also set Israel apart, as it was founded not on human achievement but on God's sovereign, unmerited grace.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Samuel 7:27](/2_samuel/7-27 "David's Prayer of Gratitude") underscores several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Initiative and Grace**, as God's revelation and promise entirely precede and prompt David's prayer. David is not earning the promise but responding to God's unmerited favor. Secondly, the **Davidic Covenant** is the cornerstone, with God's promise to establish David's "house" and kingdom forever serving as a foundational messianic prophecy, ultimately fulfilled in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, as prophesied in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "The Angel's Prophecy to Mary"). Thirdly, the verse demonstrates **Prayer as a Response to Revelation**, showing that David's prayer is born out of understanding God's revealed will, allowing him to pray with confidence and gratitude because God has spoken. Finally, it exemplifies **Humility and Awe**, as David, despite his royal status, approaches God with profound reverence, recognizing God's immense power and faithfulness as "LORD of hosts, God of Israel."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Revealed (Hebrew, _galah'_):** This verb means "to uncover," "to disclose," or "to make bare." In the context of divine communication, it signifies God taking the initiative to unveil His will or truth to humanity. Here, it emphasizes that David's knowledge of God's plan for his dynasty was not something he deduced or earned, but something God graciously and sovereignly disclosed to him. This divine revelation is the sole basis for David's subsequent prayer.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This word carries a crucial double meaning, central to the theological tension and resolution of [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "The Davidic Covenant"). David initially intended to build God a physical dwelling place (a temple, or "house" for God). However, God promised to build David a lasting "house" in the sense of a dynasty, a lineage, and an enduring royal family. This masterful wordplay highlights God's superior, eternal, and sovereign plan compared to human intentions, even well-meaning ones.
* **Found in his heart (Hebrew, _matsa' libbo'_):** This phrase literally means "his heart found" or "he found in his heart." It conveys a sense of inner prompting, discovery, or conviction. It suggests that David's prayer was not a duty or a perfunctory act, but a spontaneous, sincere, and deeply felt response that emerged from his innermost being, directly stimulated by God's astonishing revelation. It implies a prayer born of genuine gratitude and faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying,"**: David begins his prayer by acknowledging the source of his confidence: God Himself. The titles "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) and "God of Israel" underscore God's omnipotence as the commander of heavenly armies and His covenant faithfulness to His chosen people. The phrase "hast revealed" highlights that the entire basis for David's prayer is God's prior, unsolicited disclosure of His divine plan, not David's own initiative or merit. This sets a tone of humble reception.
* **"I will build thee an house:"**: This is the core of God's revelation to David, quoted directly by David. It refers to God's promise to establish David's dynasty (his "house" or family line) forever, ensuring that his descendants would reign perpetually. This promise dramatically shifts the focus from David building a physical temple for God to God building an eternal spiritual and dynastic "house" for David, demonstrating God's sovereign reversal of human expectations.
* **"therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee."**: This clause reveals the profound impact of God's revelation on David. The "therefore" establishes a direct causal link: because God has revealed His gracious and eternal plan, David is compelled to pray. His prayer is not a request for the promise, but a grateful, heartfelt response to a promise already given. The phrase "found in his heart" emphasizes the sincerity, spontaneity, and deep personal conviction with which David approaches God, demonstrating that true prayer often flows from a heart that has received and believed God's promises.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Samuel 7:27](/2_samuel/7-27 "David's Prayer of Gratitude") employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Wordplay**, specifically with the Hebrew word _bayith_ ("house"). David's initial desire was to build God a physical "house" (temple), but God responds by promising to build David a dynastic "house" (lineage). This clever **Pun** highlights the contrast between human plans and divine purposes, showing God's superior and eternal design. There is also an element of **Inversion** or **Role Reversal**, where David, the king, intends to serve God by building Him a dwelling, but God, the sovereign Lord, instead serves David by building him an eternal dynasty. This underscores God's unexpected grace and initiative. David's direct address to God, "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel," is an example of **Apostrophe**, a rhetorical device where a speaker addresses an absent person or an abstract idea, here used to convey profound reverence and intimacy in prayer. Finally, the verse demonstrates a clear **Cause and Effect** structure ("For... hast revealed... therefore... found in his heart to pray"), illustrating how divine revelation directly prompts and empowers human response in prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 7:27 profoundly illustrates the principle that true prayer is often a response to God's prior revelation and grace, rather than merely a list of requests. David's prayer is not an attempt to persuade God, but an overflow of gratitude and awe for what God has already declared He will do. This highlights God's sovereign initiative in covenant-making and His faithfulness to His promises. The Davidic Covenant, revealed here, becomes the bedrock of Israel's messianic hope, pointing forward to an eternal king and an everlasting kingdom. David's humility in the face of such immense, unmerited favor serves as a model for believers, reminding us that our access to God and confidence in prayer stem from His character and His revealed will, not our own merit.

* [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "Confidence in Prayer")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "God's Covenant with David")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's response in 2 Samuel 7:27 offers profound insights for our own spiritual lives. It teaches us that the most powerful and authentic prayers are often those born out of a deep understanding and grateful acceptance of God's revealed will and promises. When we grasp that God's plans for us are infinitely greater and more enduring than our own, our prayers shift from anxious petition to confident thanksgiving and joyful surrender. Like David, we are called to approach God with profound humility, recognizing His omnipotence and covenant faithfulness. This verse encourages us to actively listen for God's voice, to meditate on His Word, and to allow His truths to shape our desires and articulate our prayers. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is not about us building something for God, but about God building His eternal purposes in and through us, prompting our hearts to respond in worship and trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's character and His revealed promises influence the way you pray?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be trying to "build a house for God" when He desires to "build a house" for you, according to His sovereign plan?**
* **How can cultivating a spirit of gratitude for God's unmerited favor transform your prayer life?**
* **What does David's humility in this verse teach you about approaching God in prayer, even when you have great desires or plans?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that David "found in his heart to pray this prayer"?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the sincerity, spontaneity, and profound inner conviction of David's prayer. It suggests that his prayer was not a forced obligation or a mere ritual, but a genuine, deeply felt response that welled up from his innermost being. It implies that God's revelation was so impactful and overwhelming that it naturally prompted David's heart to respond in worship, gratitude, and humble acceptance. It highlights that true prayer often flows from a heart that has been touched and transformed by divine truth, rather than being merely a list of requests.

**Why is God referred to as "LORD of hosts, God of Israel" in this context?**

Answer: The dual titles "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: _YHWH Sabaoth_) and "God of Israel" are highly significant. "LORD of hosts" emphasizes God's omnipotence, His sovereignty over all creation, and His command over heavenly armies and earthly powers. It underscores His absolute ability to fulfill His promises, no matter how grand. "God of Israel" highlights His covenant relationship with His chosen people, emphasizing His faithfulness to the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and now to David. Together, these titles provide the theological foundation for David's confidence and awe, acknowledging that the one who made this astonishing promise is both supremely powerful and utterly trustworthy in His covenant love for His people. This acknowledgment of God's character is the bedrock of David's prayer, as seen in [2 Samuel 7:22](/2_samuel/7-22 "David's Acknowledgment of God's Uniqueness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 7:27, with its focus on God building David an eternal "house" or dynasty, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Davidic Covenant, initiated here, is a direct messianic prophecy. Jesus is the true "Son of David," the promised heir to David's throne, as affirmed in the genealogies of [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:31](/luke/3-31 "Jesus' Genealogy through Nathan"). The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary explicitly connects Jesus' birth to this ancient promise: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "The Angel's Prophecy to Mary")). Thus, the "house" God promised to build David is ultimately the eternal kingdom of God, established through Christ. Furthermore, Christ Himself is the cornerstone of a new, spiritual "house"—the Church, composed of all believers, as described in [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Christ as the Cornerstone") and [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones"). David's humble prayer, prompted by God's revelation, foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's plan for humanity through His Son, Jesus, who not only fulfills the Davidic Covenant but also invites all who believe into His eternal family and kingdom.

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 17:25

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.