Andis this the manner of man It is best to understand these difficult words as David's expression of humble astonishment at the greatness of the honour destined for him and his house. Render, And this is a law for men! i.e. this decree that my kingdom shall be established for ever, is to be valid for weak human beings, such as myself and my posterity! Another explanation very commonly adopted is, And this is the manner of man, viz. to speak so familiarly and condescendingly as thou hast done to me; but the Heb. word is used nowhere else in the sense of manner, and the whole context requires a reference to the substance rather than to the manner of the communication.

The reading in 1 Chron. is quite different: "thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree." One or other of the texts is perhaps corrupt.

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