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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2 Samuel 7:19

Andis this the manner of man It is best to understand these difficult words as David's expression of humble astonishment at the greatness of the honour destined for him and his house. Render, And this is a law for men! i.e. this decree that my kingdom shall be established for ever, is to be valid for weak human beings, such as myself and my posterity! Another explanation very commonly adopted is, And this is the manner of man, viz. to speak so familiarly and condescendingly as thou hast done to me; but the Heb. word is used nowhere else in the sense of manner, and the whole context requires a reference to the substance rather than to the manner of the communication.

The reading in 1 Chron. is quite different: "thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree." One or other of the texts is perhaps corrupt.

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See also 2 Samuel 7:19 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 2 Samuel 7:19. _AND_ IS _THIS THE MANNER OF MAN_] Literally: _And this, O_ _Lord God, is the law of Adam_. Does he refer to the promise made to Adam, _The seed of the woman shall bruise the hea...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    IS THIS THE MANNER OF MAN - Compare 1 Chronicles 17:17. Our passage may be thus understood: But this is the law (or prerogative) of a great man to found dynasties which are to last into the far future...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    4. THE LORD'S PROMISE TO DAVID AND THE COVENANT CHAPTER 7 _ 1. David's desire (2 Samuel 7:1)_ 2. Nathan receives the message for David (2 Samuel 7:4) 3. David in the presence of Jehovah (2 Samuel...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    2 SAMUEL 7. DAVID PROPOSES TO BUILD A TEMPLE FOR THE ARK BUT YAHWEH PREFERS TO DWELL IN A TENT, AS HERETOFORE. HE PROMISES DAVID THAT HIS DYNASTY SHALL ALWAYS OCCUPY THE THRONE (D). An independent nar...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    MANNER. Torah or Law. MAN. Hebrew. _ha-adam. the_ man. "And is this the law of the man? "i.e. the Man of Psalms 8:5; Psalms 8:6, who is to have dominion over all the earth, embracing all the world in...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 314 DAVID’S GRATITUDE 2 Samuel 7:18. _Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And thi...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    AND IS THIS THE MANNER OF MAN, O LORD GOD?— See 1 Chronicles 17:17 where we read, _And thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree._ David is full of pious wonder, that God s...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _David's Response to the Lord's Will._ 2 Samuel 7:18-29 18 Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who _am_ I, O Lord God? and what _is_ my house, that thou hast brought me hit...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND THIS WAS YET A SMALL THING IN THY SIGHT, O LORD GOD; BUT THOU HAST SPOKEN ALSO OF THY SERVANT'S HOUSE FOR A GREAT WHILE TO COME. AND IS THIS THE MANNER OF MAN, O LORD GOD?_ Thou hast spoken also...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    7:19 manner (c-33) Lit. 'law.' man, (d-35) Or 'and that after the manner (law) of man.'...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE PROMISE OF GOD TO DAVID IN REQUITAL OF HIS DESIRE TO BUILD THE TEMPLE This chapter affords an excellent illustration of the way in which prophecy has often two quite distinct applications, one to...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _Is_ THIS THE MANNER OF MAN] rather, 'this is the law of (i.e. imposed on) man.' God has made it a law regulating men's conduct, that kind intentions should be recognised and requited. But it was a si...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    DAVID, THE GREAT KING OF ISRAEL 2 SAMUEL _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 7 GOD MAKES A PROMISE TO DAVID V1 King David was living in his palace now. The *Lord had given him peace from his enemies. V2 One...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IS THIS THE MANNER OF MAN? — This clause is very obscure in the original, and little help in determining its meaning can be had from the ancient versions. The word translated “manner” is a very common...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ תִּקְטַן֩ עֹ֨וד זֹ֤את בְּ עֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ אֲדֹנ

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER IX. _ PROPOSAL TO BUILD A TEMPLE._ 2 Samuel 7:1. THE spirit of David was essentially active and fond of work. He was one of those who are ever pressing on, not content to keep things as they...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    DAVID'S HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL PRAYER 2 Samuel 7:18 The promise made through Nathan was threefold: (1) that David's house should reign forever; (2) that his seed should build the Temple; (3) that the ki...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The story of David's desire to build the Temple is told here in close connection with that of his bringing the Tabernacle to Jerusalem. It is not necessarily in chronological order, but is fittingly r...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And [is] this the manner of (h) man, O Lord GOD? (h) Does this not...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    God. Thus man wishes to be treated. This maxim prevails universally. People seek for their own and their children's happiness; a favour which thou hast graciously promised unto me. (Calmet) --- Thus i...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (18) В¶ Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? (19) And this was yet a small thing in thy sight,...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We have seen the sorrowful circumstances out of which arose the first desire to have a king in Israel, and the remarkable fact that, although it was a sin, God nevertheless did not put the people back...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Ardently desiring Jehovah's glory, David is troubled at dwelling in a house of cedar, while Jehovah dwelt within curtains. He wishes to build Him a house-a good desire, yet one which God could not gra...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND THIS WAS YET A SMALL THING IN THY SIGHT, O LORD GOD,.... This of raising him to the throne, and settling him on it, was but a small thing in comparison of what he promised to do for him and his:...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And [is] this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? Ver. 19. _And this wa...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _This_ Which thou hast already done for me, _that thou hast brought me hitherto_ to this pitch of honour, and peace, and prosperity in which, through thy favour, I now stand. _Was small_ Though it was...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Nathan first approouing the purpose of Dauid to build God an house, 4 after by the word of God forbiddeth him. 12 He promiseth him benefites and blessings in his seede. 18 Dauids prayer and thank...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    David's Prayer of Thanksgiving...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And this, the wonderful external favors, WAS YET A SMALL THING IN THY SIGHT, O LORD GOD; BUT THOU HAST SPOKEN ALSO OF THY SERVANT'S HOUSE FOR A GREAT WHILE TO COME. AND IS THIS THE MANNER OF MAN, O LO...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The Lord having given grace to David to subdue the nations surrounding Israel, it is understandable that David's thoughts turned to a serious consideration of what is due the God of Israel. Why should...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    MANNER: _ Heb._ law...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    18-29 David's prayer is full of the breathings of devout affection toward God. He had low thoughts of his own merits. All we have, must be looked upon as Divine gifts. He speaks very highly and honou...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    THIS, to wit, which thou hast already done for me, as he now said, _that thou hast brought me hitherto_, i.e. to that pitch of honour, and peace, and prosperity, in which through thy favour I now stan...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    2 Samuel 7:19 thing H6994 (H8799) sight H5869 Lord H136 GOD H3069 spoken H1696 (H8762) servants H5650 house...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    DAVID EXPRESSES HIS GRATITUDE TO YHWH FOR HIS EVERLASTING GOODNESS (2 SAMUEL 7:18). The humility of David, and His recognition of his subjection to YHWH comes out in this prayer which follows up on Go...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    1). GRATITUDE TO YHWH FOR WHAT HE HAS PROMISED FOR HIM AND HIS HOUSE (2 SAMUEL 7:18). 2 Samuel 7:18 a ‘Then David the king went in, and remained before YHWH.' David clearly sees himself here as hav...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: David's desire to build the Lord's house. The Davidic covenant. CHARACTERS: God, David, Nathan. CONCLUSION: We need no more to make us happy than to have God for a Father to us. If He is o...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    2 Samuel 7:1. _When the king sat in his house,_ and began to feel the approaches of age, he was more concerned for the ark than for himself. All men, but especially the aged, should do their best for...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then went King David in and sat before the Lord._ DAVID’S ADDRESS TO THE LORD I. The sovereignty of Divine grace. A purpose of love is disclosed here. It is seen in the choice of David and his house...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 7:1__ This chapter, with its promise of the Messiah, is a key passage in the history of salvation. Verses 2 Samuel 7:8 are often described as the “Davidic covenant,” even

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 7:18 In this moving prayer, David uses the phrase O LORD GOD (or “O LORD God”) eight times, expressing his close intimacy with his God....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES— 2 Samuel 7:17. “WORDS.” … “VISION.” “The _words_, as the content of God’s revelation to Nathan, are distinguished from the _vision_ as indication of its _form_ and _mode...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 7:1 WHEN THE KING SAT IN HIS HOUSE. The order is not chronological; for the words, JEHOVAH HAD GIVEN HIM REST FROM ALL HIS ENEMIES ROUND ABOUT (so the Revised Version, rightly), i...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all of his enemies; [Now he's established, he's strong, he's powerful.] That the king said unto Na...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Chronicles 17:17; 2 Samuel 12:8; 2 Samuel 7:11; Ephesians 2:7;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    This — Which thou hast already done for me, that thou hast brought me hitherto, to that pitch of honour, and peace, and prosperity, in which through thy favour I now stand. Was small — Though it was m...

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