2 Chronicles 6:42
O LORD God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one! Remember your steadfast love for David your servant.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This prayer isn't just a generic plea for help; it's a powerful reminder that God's promises to David are the foundation of his hope. The emphasis on remembering "steadfast love" isn't just about recalling past kindnesses, but about invoking the enduring covenant God made, believing it still holds sway even in difficult times.
This is the climax of Solomon's prayer dedicating the magnificent temple he built to God. He’s just finished a long, powerful speech asking God to bless the temple and hear the prayers of His people, and now he appeals to God's promises to his father, David. Solomon is essentially saying, "God, you promised David you'd always have a descendant on the throne, and now my family is here, serving you in this temple. Please, remember that promise and don't abandon us!"
Solomon stands before God at the dedication of the Temple, a monumental moment. But he's not just offering praise; he's asking for something huge. What gives him the audacity to make such a plea?
Solomon, in this prayer, is not relying on his own merit. He's leaning on God's promises and His covenant relationship, particularly with his father, David. This verse is a powerful example of approaching God not based on our performance, but on His faithfulness and His established promises.
Leaning on Covenant
God had made a covenant with David, promising that his line would always have a king on the throne (2 Samuel 7:11-16). Solomon understands that the Temple, the very place he's dedicating, is tied to that covenant. Therefore, asking God to remember His promises to David is asking God to remain faithful to His own Word and His chosen king.
Solomon uses two powerful phrases: 'your anointed one' and 'steadfast love.' What do these really mean, and why are they so crucial in his prayer?
The 'Anointed One'
The 'anointed one' here refers to the king, who was set apart by God for a special purpose through the ceremony of anointing. It signifies divine appointment and authority. Solomon is essentially saying, 'Don't reject the king you yourself have chosen and empowered.' It’s a plea for God to honor His own designation of leadership.
The 'Steadfast Love'
This phrase is central to the Old Testament, often translated from a Hebrew word that speaks of covenant loyalty, enduring mercy, and faithful kindness. It’s not just a fleeting emotion but a deep, unwavering commitment. Solomon is asking God to act according to His unchanging, loyal nature – the very nature He displayed to David.
Understand the original words
mashiyach · Hebrew Noun
One specifically chosen, set apart, and empowered by God through oil for a specific role or office, such as priest, prophet, or king.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A profound, covenant-keeping, loyal love that is persistent and faithful, often describing God’s unchanging commitment to His people despite their unworthiness.
This prayer was likely uttered during or just before the Babylonian exile, a time when Jerusalem and the Temple lay in ruins. It's a desperate plea, clinging to God's promises to David even as the nation faces the devastating consequences of its sin.
c. 970 BC
Death of King David
David, Israel's beloved king, dies after a long and impactful reign. His legacy of faith and his covenant with God are central to Israel's identity.
c. 970-931 BC
Reign of Solomon
Solomon, David's son, succeeds him and builds the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem. This temple becomes the focal point of Israel's worship.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division weakens the nation.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem and deports many of the elite, including King Jehoiachin, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the exile.
This Psalm echoes the prayer in 2 Chronicles, directly asking God to remember His promises and His anointed king (David) for the sake of His people.
Isaiah 55:3This passage speaks of God's covenant and the 'steadfast love' promised to David, showing the enduring nature of God's faithfulness that Solomon is appealing to.
Psalm 89:3-4Here, God Himself speaks of making an everlasting covenant with David, promising that his line would endure forever, underscoring the significance of remembering that promise.
Nehemiah 9:17In a prayer of confession, the people recall God's character, including His 'God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,' a plea that resonates with Solomon's prayer.
This prayer isn't just a generic plea for help; it's a powerful reminder that God's promises to David are the foundation of his hope. The emphasis on remembering "steadfast love" isn't just about recalling past kindnesses, but about invoking the enduring covenant God made, believing it still holds sway even in difficult times.
This is the climax of Solomon's prayer dedicating the magnificent temple he built to God. He’s just finished a long, powerful speech asking God to bless the temple and hear the prayers of His people, and now he appeals to God's promises to his father, David. Solomon is essentially saying, "God, you promised David you'd always have a descendant on the throne, and now my family is here, serving you in this temple. Please, remember that promise and don't abandon us!"
This is the climax of Solomon's prayer dedicating the magnificent temple he built to God. He’s just finished a long, powerful speech asking God to bless the temple and hear the prayers of His people, and now he appeals to God's promises to his father, David. Solomon is essentially saying, "God, you promised David you'd always have a descendant on the throne, and now my family is here, serving you in this temple. Please, remember that promise and don't abandon us!"
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Chronicles 6:42 is available in the Sola app.
587/586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces utterly destroy Jerusalem and its glorious Temple. The remaining people are exiled to Babylon, leaving the land desolate.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Decree
The Persian King Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
"O LORD God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one! Remember your steadfast love for David your servant.”" — This prayer isn't just a generic plea for help; it's a powerful reminder that God's promises to David are the foundation of his hope. The emphasis on remembering "steadfast love" isn't just about rec…
