But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I moved out of your way.
Parallel translations
- WEB but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
- KJV But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
- NKJV But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
- NASB but My favor shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you.
- NLT But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Unlike with Saul, God promised His steadfast love would never depart from David's son. Covenant grace would secure the dynasty even through failure.
Overview
God contrasts His treatment of David's line with His rejection of Saul, pledging unwavering covenant love (chesed). This unconditional commitment means discipline, but never the abandonment Saul experienced. Such enduring loyal love anticipates the gospel, where God's steadfast love toward His people in Christ can never be removed (Romans 8:38-39).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Sam 15:23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
- Ps 89:28I will forever preserve My loving devotion for him, and My covenant with him will stand fast.
- 1 Sam 15:28So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
- 1 Kgs 11:13Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
- 2 Sam 7:14I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
- Isa 9:7Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
- 1 Sam 16:14After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.
- Ps 89:34I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.
- 2 Sam 7:16Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”
- Acts 13:34–37In fact, God raised Him from the dead, never to see decay. As He has said: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
- Isa 37:35‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”
- 1 Kgs 11:34–36Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand, because I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David My servant, whom I chose because he kept My commandments and statutes.
- Isa 55:3Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
- 1 Sam 19:24Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 7:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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