2 Samuel 7:19
ESV
And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant 's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!
NIV
And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
NASB
And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant regarding the distant future. And this is the custom of mankind, Lord God.
CSB
What you have done so far was a little thing to you, Lord God, for you have also spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future. And this is a revelation for mankind, Lord God.
NLT
And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?
KJV
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?
NKJV
And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?
What does 2 Samuel 7:19 mean?
David is marveling at the Lord's incredible favor toward him and his house: his descendants and legacy (2 Samuel 7:8–17). He acknowledges that it's not hard for God to do what He has done for David, that it's a small thing in God's eyes to raise a man up and put him on the throne and give him victory over his enemies. David, though, is even more amazed at God's promise to establish his house for generations to come. He knows he's a mere mortal man, and an imperfect one. Why would God do such a thing for him?David frames God's covenant in an interesting way. God's promises are mankind's instruction. Whether intentionally or not, the people of Israel will make decisions that will ensure a descendant of David and Solomon remains on the throne for the next 400 years. Due to Jewish and Christian teachers, even the modern world, some 3000 years after David's death, considers him "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) and a good, if flawed, king. David's descendant Jesus will take David's throne and rule in Jerusalem. God's covenant with David is like a script that humanity must follow.
One of the greatest blessings is that God allows David to know this will happen. He doesn't know the details, of course. But he knows his reputation will be great, his son will take his throne, and his legacy will be eternal. God could have made all this happen and not said a word. David is glad God told him, if only so David can praise Him more (2 Samuel 7:20–22).
