2 Samuel 7:9

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth.

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest {H1980}, and have cut off {H3772} all thine enemies {H341} out of thy sight {H6440}, and have made {H6213} thee a great {H1419} name {H8034}, like unto the name {H8034} of the great {H1419} men that are in the earth {H776}.

I have been with you wherever you went; I have destroyed all your enemies ahead of you; and I am making your reputation great, like the reputations of the greatest people on earth.

I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like the greatest in the land.

and I have been with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a great name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth.

Commentary

2 Samuel 7:9 is a pivotal verse within the Davidic Covenant, where God, through the prophet Nathan, reaffirms His unwavering faithfulness to King David. It highlights God's past actions in establishing David's kingdom and promises an enduring legacy, setting the stage for future divine blessings.

Context

This verse is part of God's response to King David in 2 Samuel chapter 7. David, now securely established in his palace, felt it was inappropriate for him to live in a house of cedar while the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence, resided in a tent. He purposed to build a permanent temple for the Lord. However, through the prophet Nathan, God revealed that He did not need David to build Him a house; rather, God Himself would build David a lasting "house"β€”a dynasty and an enduring kingdom. Verse 9 specifically reflects on God's past faithfulness and promises for David's future, reminding David of how far God had brought him.

Key Themes

  • God's Unwavering Presence and Guidance

    The phrase "And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest" powerfully emphasizes God's constant and active presence in David's life. From his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy, through his anointing as king, and during years of flight from Saul, God was always with him, guiding his steps and ensuring his ultimate success. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers of God's promise to never leave nor forsake His people (Deuteronomy 31:6).

  • Divine Protection and Victory

    "And have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight" highlights God's role as David's protector and deliverer. God supernaturally cleared the path for David, granting him decisive victories over formidable foes like the Philistines and other surrounding nations. This divine intervention secured David's kingdom and established peace, demonstrating that ultimate victory comes from the Lord (Psalm 18:32).

  • Establishment of a Great Name and Legacy

    The promise "and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth" speaks to God's elevation of David's status and reputation. Unlike other great rulers who achieved fame through conquest or personal might, David's greatness was divinely bestowed. This "great name" signifies not just renown during his lifetime but a lasting legacy, foundational to the Davidic Covenant, which promised an eternal dynasty through his lineage, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "great name" (שׁ֡ם Χ’ΦΈΦΌΧ“Χ•ΦΉΧœ, shem gadol) implies more than just renown; it signifies a lasting reputation, authority, and destiny. It's a divine declaration that David's legacy would be significant and enduring, not merely temporary fame. This concept of God making a "great name" is also seen in God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, linking David's destiny to the broader redemptive plan.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 7:9 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is With Us: Just as God was with David, He promises His constant presence to us in every season of life, through challenges and triumphs (Matthew 28:20).
  • God Fights Our Battles: We can trust God to protect us from spiritual enemies and overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. Our ultimate victory is in Him.
  • God Establishes Our Purpose: Our true significance and "great name" come not from human achievement but from God's divine calling and His work through us. He uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, bringing glory to His own name.

This verse fosters a deep sense of trust and gratitude, knowing that God's past faithfulness guarantees His future faithfulness in our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 5:10 (14 votes)

    And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts [was] with him.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:8 (10 votes)

    And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that [are] in the earth.

  • 2 Samuel 8:6 (8 votes)

    Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, [and] brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

  • Psalms 113:7 (8 votes)

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

  • Psalms 113:8 (8 votes)

    That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people.

  • 1 Samuel 18:14 (8 votes)

    And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD [was] with him.

  • Psalms 18:37 (8 votes)

    I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.