Will God's mercy ever permanently depart from Israel even when he disciplines them?
No. Even when Israel commits iniquity and God chastens them with the rod of men—using other nations to punish or disperse them—His mercy shall not depart from them. The promise spoken through Nathan to David extends beyond Solomon to the whole nation of Israel in her future role.
Les explains that God is speaking to King David through the prophet Nathan, and the promise reaches beyond Solomon to the whole nation of Israel in her future role. If Israel commits iniquity, God will chasten them with the rod of men, using other nations to punish them. Verse 15 begins with “But,” turning to the assurance that even though God may discipline, downtrod, or disperse Israel, His mercy shall not depart from them.
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
More Questions
In 2 Samuel 7:15, does God ever take His mercy away from Israel?
Even though Israel falls short and is often unbelieving, God says 'My mercy shall not depart from them,' so his mercy to Israel is permanent.