(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.

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).

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.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