2 Kings 8:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 8:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Howbeit Jehovah would not destroy Judah, for David his servant`s sake, as he promised him to give unto him a lamp for his children alway.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Howbeit Jehovah would not destroy Judah, for David his servant`s sake, as he promised him to give unto him a lamp for his children alway.
2 Kings 8:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Howbeit Jehovah would not destroy Judah, for David his servant`s sake, as he promised him to give unto him a lamp for his children alway.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet the Lord would not destroy Judah for David his servant’s sake, etc.] Not for his merits, but for the mercy he assured him of: as he promised him to give to him always a light, [and] to his children; or a kingdom, as the Targum; therefore he would not utterly destroy the tribe, nor suffer the sceptre or government to depart from it till the Messiah came, (see <19D211>Psalm 132:11,17).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The passage is parenthetic, resuming the history of the kingdom of Judah from 1 Kings 22:50. 2 Kings 8:16 The opening words are - “In the fifth year of Joram, son of Ahab, king of Israel, and of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah;” but they contradict all the other chronological notices of Jehoshaphat 1 Kings 22:42, 1Ki 22:51; 2 Kings 3:1; 2 Chronicles 20:31, which give him a reign of at least twenty-three years. Hence, some have supposed that the words “Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah,” are accidentally repeated. Those, however, who regard them and 2 Kings 1:17 as sound, suppose that Jehoshaphat gave his son the royal title in his 16th year, while he advanced him to a real association in the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Alway - Until the coming of the Messiah: for so long, and not longer, this succession might seem necessary for the making good of God's promise and covenant made with David. But when the Messiah, was once come, there was no more need of any succession, and the scepter might and did without any inconvenience depart from Judah, and from all the succeeding branches of David's family, because the Messiah was to hold the kingdom forever in his own person, though not in so gross a way as the carnal Jews imagined. A light - A son and successor. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 8:29”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:19 Despite Jehoram’s wickedness, God did not destroy Judah but honored his covenant with David (2 Sam 7:11-16). • The Lord had promised to preserve David’s descendants on the throne of Judah as a shining . . . lamp of God’s grace (1 Kgs 11:36). God’s promises to David ultimately find fulfillment in Jesus (Ezek 34:23-31), the light of the world (John 4:1-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“for David: Kg2 19:34; Sa2 7:12, Sa2 7:13, Sa2 7:15; Kg1 11:36, Kg1 15:4, Kg1 15:5; Ch2 21:7; Isa 7:14, Isa 37:35; Jer 33:25, Jer 33:26; Hos 11:9; Luk 1:32, Luk 1:33 light: Heb. candle, or lamp, Kg1 11:36 4 Kings (2 Kings) 8:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification