King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 6:16 Mean?

2 Chronicles 6:16 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, Th... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. There: Heb. There shall not a man be cut off

2 Chronicles 6:16 · KJV


Context

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.

16

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. There: Heb. There shall not a man be cut off

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!


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen understanding of God's presence as the source of true blessing and success?
  2. What does this passage teach about the importance of following God's prescribed patterns in worship and service?
  3. How does Solomon's example in Solomon's Dedication Prayer point forward to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וְעַתָּ֞ה1 of 33
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יְהוָ֣ה׀2 of 33

Now therefore O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י3 of 33

God

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל4 of 33

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יִשְׁמְר֨וּ5 of 33

keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לְעַבְדְּךָ֙6 of 33

with thy servant

H5650

a servant

דָוִ֤יד7 of 33

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִי֙8 of 33

my father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֵת֩9 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ11 of 33

that which thou hast promised

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לּוֹ֙12 of 33
H0
לֵאמֹ֔ר13 of 33

him saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹֽא14 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִכָּרֵ֨ת15 of 33

There shall not fail

H3772

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

לְךָ֥16 of 33
H0
אִישׁ֙17 of 33

thee a man

H376

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׃18 of 33

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יוֹשֵׁ֖ב19 of 33

to sit

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל20 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כִּסֵּ֣א21 of 33

upon the throne

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל22 of 33

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

רַ֠ק23 of 33

yet so

H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אִם24 of 33
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִשְׁמְר֨וּ25 of 33

keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

בָנֶ֜יךָ26 of 33

that thy children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֶת27 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דַּרְכָּ֗ם28 of 33

to their way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָלַ֖כְתָּ29 of 33

as thou hast walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י30 of 33

in my law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר31 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלַ֖כְתָּ32 of 33

as thou hast walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְפָנָֽי׃33 of 33

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 6:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 6:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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