2 Chronicles 6:16

14 And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:

15 Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.

17 Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.

18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’
KJV
Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
WEB
“Now therefore, LORD, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, ‘There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’
ASV
Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as thou hast walked before me.
DARBY
And now, Jehovah, God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy sons take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
BLB
And now, O YHWH, God of Israel, keep for Your servant David my father what You spoke to him, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man before Me, to sit on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, to walk in My law, as you have walked before My face.’
ÅB
Så hold nå og, Herre, Israels Gud, det du lovte din tjener David, min far, da du sa: Det skal aldri fattes en mann av din slekt til å sitte på Israels trone for mitt åsyn, så sant dine barn akter på sin vei og vandrer etter min lov, som du har vandret for mitt åsyn.
OTB
Nå da, Herre, Israels Gud, hold for Din tjener, min far David, det som Du har lovet ham, og sa, 'Du skal ikke mangle en mann til å sitte på Israels trone, hvis bare dine sønner tar vare på sin vei, for å vandre i Min lov som du har vandret for Meg.'
B1930
Så hold nu og, Herre, Israels Gud, det du lovte din tjener David, min far, da du sa: Det skal aldri fattes en mann av din ætt til å sitte på Israels trone for mitt åsyn, så sant dine barn akter på sin vei og vandrer efter min lov, som du har vandret for mitt åsyn.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Kings 2:4

    That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

    Read in context
  • John 15:14–15

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 132:12

    If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 7:18

    Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 119:1

    Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

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  • 2 Samuel 7:12–16

    And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 36:37

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

    Read in context