Bible Strands
2 Samuel 7:15
But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to David through the prophet Nathan, responding to David’s temple initiative by guaranteeing an everlasting dynasty for his house. The moment marks the formal establishment of the Davidic covenant following the ark’s placement in Jerusalem.
The words — חֶסֶד (chesed) conveys covenant loyalty, coupled with יָסוּר (yasur), meaning it will not depart or be removed. Together they form the core claim that divine commitment remains fixed on David’s successor.
The thread — This covenant loyalty framework appears in 1 Samuel 15:23 and 1 Samuel 15:28, where Saul’s rebellion triggers God’s removal of the kingdom, and in Psalms 89:28, which restates the perpetual preservation of this loyalty. The contrast between Saul’s removal and David’s enduring line runs through all three passages.
Why it lands — The text states that God’s commitment will not be withdrawn from David’s line, even while acknowledging future discipline for wrongdoing. It requires the reader to accept that the dynasty’s stability rests on divine promise rather than human merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 15:23 For 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.”
- 1 Samuel 15:28 So 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.
- Psalms 89:28 I will forever preserve My loving devotion for him, and My covenant with him will stand fast.
- 1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.
- 2 Samuel 7:14 I 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.
- 1 Kings 11:13 Yet 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.”
- Isaiah 9:7 Of 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.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”
- Psalms 89:34 I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.
- Isaiah 37:35 ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”