2 Kings Chapter 8 · Verse 19

Authorized King James Version

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Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָבָ֤ה would H14
אָבָ֤ה would
Strong's: H14
Word #: 2 of 18
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
יְהוָה֙ Yet the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ Yet the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְהַשְׁחִ֣ית not destroy H7843
לְהַשְׁחִ֣ית not destroy
Strong's: H7843
Word #: 4 of 18
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָ֔ה Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 6 of 18
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
לְמַ֖עַן H4616
לְמַ֖עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 7 of 18
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
דָּוִ֣ד for David H1732
דָּוִ֣ד for David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 8 of 18
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַבְדּ֑וֹ his servant's H5650
עַבְדּ֑וֹ his servant's
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 9 of 18
a servant
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָֽמַר sake as he promised H559
אָֽמַר sake as he promised
Strong's: H559
Word #: 11 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
ל֗וֹ H0
ל֗וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 18
לָתֵ֨ת him to give H5414
לָתֵ֨ת him to give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 13 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
ל֥וֹ H0
ל֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 18
נִ֛יר a light H5216
נִ֛יר a light
Strong's: H5216
Word #: 15 of 18
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
לְבָנָ֖יו and to his children H1121
לְבָנָ֖יו and to his children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 16 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 17 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִֽים׃ him alway H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃ him alway
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 18 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis & Commentary

Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 8: Prophetic word shapes national events. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 8 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's International Influence) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection