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.

2 CHRONICLES 6:16KJV
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2 Chronicles 6:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 6:16 mean?

2 Chronicles 6:16 is a prayer asking the LORD, the God of Israel, to keep the promise made to David: that there would always be one of his descendants on the throne of Israel, as long as David’s children are careful to follow God’s law as David did. The verse highlights both God’s faithfulness to His promise and the responsibility of David’s descendants to remain obedient.

King Solomon is speaking during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, addressing God in front of the people. Solomon recalls the specific promise God made to his father David, emphasizing that the continuation of David’s royal line depends on his descendants’ commitment to walk in God’s law. This verse sits within Solomon’s longer prayer, showing his awareness that God’s promises often include conditions related to faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 6:16

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, used here to stress the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
  • keep (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means “to guard” or “to watch over,” showing Solomon’s request for God to actively fulfill and protect His promise.
  • law (תּוֹרָה, torah): This refers to God’s instruction or teaching, not just legal rules, highlighting that the requirement is a way of living, not just following rules.
  • walk (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word means “to go” or “to walk,” and is often used in the Bible to describe living according to God’s ways, not just physical movement.

Why 2 Chronicles 6:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s promise to David’s family is not automatic but depends on the faithfulness of his descendants, correcting the idea that God’s promises are unconditional in every case.
  • The verse connects the kingship in Israel directly to obedience to God’s teaching, showing that leadership and blessing are tied to following God’s ways.
  • Within Solomon’s prayer, this verse reveals his understanding of the covenant’s seriousness and his desire for his own reign—and those after him—to be marked by faithfulness to God.