But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
Parallel translations
- WEB but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
- BSB But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I moved out of your way.
- 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 as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
- Ps 89:28My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
- 1 Sam 15:28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
- 1 Kgs 11:13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.
- 2 Sam 7:14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
- Isa 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
- 1 Sam 16:14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
- Ps 89:34My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
- 2 Sam 7:16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
- Acts 13:34–37And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
- Isa 37:35For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
- 1 Kgs 11:34–36Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
- Isa 55:3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
- 1 Sam 19:24And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, 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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