2 Samuel 23:5
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כֵ֥ן
H3651
כֵ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בֵּיתִ֖י
Although my house
H1004
בֵּיתִ֖י
Although my house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֵ֑ל
be not so with God
H410
אֵ֑ל
be not so with God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
6 of 22
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְרִ֨ית
covenant
H1285
בְרִ֨ית
covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
8 of 22
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
עוֹלָ֜ם
with me an everlasting
H5769
עוֹלָ֜ם
with me an everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
שָׂ֣ם
yet he hath made
H7760
שָׂ֣ם
yet he hath made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 22
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עֲרוּכָ֤ה
ordered
H6186
עֲרוּכָ֤ה
ordered
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
12 of 22
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
בַכֹּל֙
H3605
בַכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּשְׁמֻרָ֔ה
in all things and sure
H8104
וּשְׁמֻרָ֔ה
in all things and sure
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׁעִ֥י
for this is all my salvation
H3468
יִשְׁעִ֥י
for this is all my salvation
Strong's:
H3468
Word #:
17 of 22
liberty, deliverance, prosperity
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֵ֖פֶץ
and all my desire
H2656
חֵ֖פֶץ
and all my desire
Strong's:
H2656
Word #:
19 of 22
pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Isaiah 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.Jeremiah 32:40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.Hebrews 6:19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Isaiah 27:6He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.Isaiah 61:8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Acts 13:34And 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.Amos 9:11In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:Ezekiel 37:26Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
Historical Context
The historical setting of 2 Samuel 23 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding legacy, faithful servants provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of legacy, faithful servants?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
- In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
This verse contributes to the narrative of Last Words and Mighty Men, emphasizing legacy, faithful servants. David's last words emphasize the eternal covenant God established (v. 5) and declare principles of righteous rule. The accounts of David's mighty men demonstrate extraordinary courage and devotion. The water-drawing incident reveals David's unwillingness to value his comfort above his soldiers' lives. Theological themes include the importance of final testimonies, the eternal nature of God's covenant, the value of faithful servants, and the necessity of sacrificial leadership.