2 Chronicles 21:7

Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) The Lord would not destroy the house of David . . .—An exegetical (not arbitrary, as Thenius asserts) expansion of “The Lord would not destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant” (Kings).

The covenant that he had made with David.—Literally, for David. So Isaiah 55:3, “I will make an everlasting covenant for you, even the sure mercies of David.” This construction is generally used of the stronger imposing conditions on the weaker. (Comp. Joshua 9:6; 1Samuel 11:1-2.) In the Pentateuch, God makes a covenant with (im or eth) His people (Genesis 15:16; Exodus 24:8).

To give a light to him and to his sons.—Literally, a lamp. Some critics find another “deviation” here, and render 1Kings 8:19, “to give a lamp to him in respect of his sons.” But many Hebrew MSS., and the LXX., Vulg., and Targum of that passage, read, “and to his sons,” as here. Syriac, “On account of the oaths which he sware to David, to give to him a burning lamp, and to his sons all the days.”

For ever.—All the days.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The execution of several "princes of Israel" (i. e. of Judah; see 2 Chronicles 20:34 note) implies that Jehoram's brothers found supporters among the chief men of the country, and that Jehoram's sole sovereignty was not established without a struggle.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6, 7. he walked … as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife—The precepts and examples of his excellent father were soon obliterated by his matrimonial alliance with a daughter of the royal house of Israel. Through the influence of Athaliah he abolished the worship of the Lord, and encouraged an introduction of all the corruptions prevalent in the sister kingdom. The divine vengeance was denounced against him, and would have utterly destroyed him and his house, had it not been for a tender regard to the promise made to David (2Sa 7:29; 2Ki 8:19).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Because of the covenant that he had made with David; for which, in 2 Kings 8:19, it is for David his servant’s sake, i.e. not for David’s merits, but for God’s free promise and covenant, as it is here explained.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Jehoram was thirty two years old,.... Of these verses; see Gill on 2 Kings 8:17, 2 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 8:19, 2 Kings 8:20, 2 Kings 8:21, 2 Kings 8:22

Geneva Study Bible

Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. the house of David] In 2 Kin. Judah, a term sparingly used in Chron.; cp. 2 Chronicles 11:3 (note).

a light] R.V. a lamp. Thus figuratively applied the Heb. word is written nîr; ordinarily “lamp” is nçr in Heb.

for ever] R.V. alway (as in 2 Kin.). Heb. literally, “all the days.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - The covenant... a light... his sons for ever (so 2 Samuel 7:12, 13, 15, 16; 2 Samuel 23:5; 1 Kings 8:20, 24, 25; 1 Chronicles 22:10; Psalm 132:11, 12; Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:34). 2 Chronicles 21:7

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Duration and spirit of Joram's reign. - These verses agree with 2 Kings 8:17-22, with the exception of some immaterial divergences, and have been commented upon in the remarks on that passage. - In 2 Chronicles 21:7 the thought is somewhat otherwise expressed than in 2 Kings 8:19 : "Jahve would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David;" instead of, "He would not destroy Judah because of David His servant, as He had said." Instead of לבניו ניר לו לתת we have in the Chronicle וּלבניו ניר לו לתת, to give him a lamp, and that in respect of his sons, w being inserted before לבניו to bring the idea more prominently forward. In regard to שׂריו עם, 2 Chronicles 21:9, instead of צעירה, 2 Kings 8:21, see on 2 Kings c. cit. At the end of 2 Chronicles 21:9 the words, "and the people fled to their tents" (2 Kings 8:21), whereby the notice of Joram's attempt to bring Edom again under his sway, which is in itself obscure enough, becomes yet more obscure.