Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (To the Greater Glory of God)
From: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
David’s prayer
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[18] Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far? [19] And yet this was a small thing in thy eyes, O Lord God; thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast shown me future generations, O Lord God!
[24] And thou didst establish for thyself thy people Israel to be thy people for ever; and thou, O Lord, didst become their God. [25] And now, O Lord God, confirm for ever the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house, and do as thou hast spoken; [26] and thy name will be magnified for ever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of thy servant David will be established before thee. [27] For thou, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, hast made this revelation to thy servant, saying, “I will build you a house’; therefore thy servant has found courage to pray this prayer to thee. [28] And now, O Lord God, thou art God, and thy words are true, and thou hast promised this good thing to thy servant; [29] now therefore may it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee; for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken, and with thy blessing shall the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.”
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Commentary:
7:18-29. David’s prayer in response to the prophecy is a song of praise that follows the three main points of the prophecy: the divine election of David himself (vv. 18-21), the election of the people as people of God (vv. 22-24), and the consolidation of the Davidic dynasty (vv. 25-29). In this prayer David identifies himself with his line, and therefore the blessings which have come on him extend to the whole house of David (vv. 28-29). “David is par excellence the king ‘after God’s own heart’, the shepherd who prays for his people and prays in their name. His submission to the will of God, his praise and his repentance, will be a model for the prayer of the people. His prayer, the prayer of God’s Anointed, is a faithful adherence to the divine promise (2 Sam 7:18-29) and expresses a loving and joyful trust in God, the only King and Lord.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2579).