2 Chronicles 6:16

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְעַתָּ֞ה H6258
וְעַתָּ֞ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 1 of 33
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
יְהוָ֣ה׀ Now therefore O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה׀ Now therefore O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 33
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 33
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ keep H8104
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 5 of 33
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ with thy servant H5650
לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ with thy servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 6 of 33
a servant
דָוִ֤יד David H1732
דָוִ֤יד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 7 of 33
david, the youngest son of jesse
אָבִי֙ my father H1
אָבִי֙ my father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 8 of 33
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֵת֩ H853
אֵת֩
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ that which thou hast promised H1696
דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ that which thou hast promised
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 11 of 33
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לּוֹ֙ H0
לּוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 33
לֵאמֹ֔ר him saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר him saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 13 of 33
to say (used with great latitude)
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּרֵ֨ת There shall not fail H3772
יִכָּרֵ֨ת There shall not fail
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 15 of 33
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
לְךָ֥ H0
לְךָ֥
Strong's: H0
Word #: 16 of 33
אִישׁ֙ thee a man H376
אִישׁ֙ thee a man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 17 of 33
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְפָנָֽי׃ before H6440
לְפָנָֽי׃ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 18 of 33
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יוֹשֵׁ֖ב to sit H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֖ב to sit
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 19 of 33
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 20 of 33
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסֵּ֣א upon the throne H3678
כִּסֵּ֣א upon the throne
Strong's: H3678
Word #: 21 of 33
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 22 of 33
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
רַ֠ק yet so H7535
רַ֠ק yet so
Strong's: H7535
Word #: 23 of 33
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 24 of 33
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ keep H8104
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 25 of 33
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בָנֶ֜יךָ that thy children H1121
בָנֶ֜יךָ that thy children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 26 of 33
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 27 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַּרְכָּ֗ם to their way H1870
דַּרְכָּ֗ם to their way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 28 of 33
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָלַ֖כְתָּ as thou hast walked H1980
הָלַ֖כְתָּ as thou hast walked
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 29 of 33
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י in my law H8451
בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י in my law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 30 of 33
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 31 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֖כְתָּ as thou hast walked H1980
הָלַ֖כְתָּ as thou hast walked
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 32 of 33
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנָֽי׃ before H6440
לְפָנָֽי׃ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 33 of 33
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Solomon's reign, specifically focusing on Covenant faithfulness and answered prayer. The Chronicler presents Solomon's faithfulness in temple building and worship as paradigmatic for post-exilic Israel. Unlike the Kings account which includes Solomon's failures, Chronicles emphasizes his positive example during his faithful years.

Theologically, the passage demonstrates that wholehearted seeking of God results in His manifest blessing and presence. The temple construction and dedication represent the climax of God's dwelling with Israel, foreshadowing the incarnation when God would dwell among humanity in Christ. The elaborate preparations and careful adherence to divine pattern emphasize that worship must occur on God's terms.

Cross-references to the tabernacle (Exodus 25-40), Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17), and Messianic prophecies illuminate how Solomon's temple points toward Christ as the true meeting place between God and humanity. The material glory of Solomon's kingdom anticipates the greater glory of the Messianic age.

Historical Context

The reign of Solomon (970-930 BCE) represents Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity. The temple construction began in Solomon's fourth year (966 BCE), exactly 480 years after the Exodus according to 1 Kings 6:1. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective (450-400 BCE), emphasizing themes relevant to the restored community: temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Archaeological evidence confirms Solomon's extensive building projects and international trade relationships. The temple's design incorporated Phoenician architectural elements, evidenced by parallel structures discovered in Syria and Lebanon. Solomon's alliance with Hiram of Tyre provided both materials (Lebanese cedar) and craftsmen for the construction.

The post-exilic audience, having returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple, needed encouragement that God's presence and blessing could be restored through faithful worship. The Chronicler presents Solomon's reign as paradigmatic—when leaders and people seek God wholeheartedly, He dwells among them and prospers them.

Questions for Reflection