David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Covenant
1 Chronicles 17:16-27
1 C.17.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומי: PRON,interr
- ביתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- כי: CONJ
- הביאתני: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg,obj:1sg
- עד: PREP
- הלם: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:18 (quotation): Direct parallel/quotation: David's sitting before the LORD and his exact words of humble astonishment appear here in the Deuteronomistic narrative (the source behind Chronicles).
- Psalm 8:4 (thematic): Shared theme of wonder at God's attention to human beings: 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him?' echoes David’s amazement at God’s favor toward his house and person.
- Psalm 144:3 (verbal): Verbal and thematic kinship: both verses ask rhetorically 'What is man/son of man that you regard/mind him?' expressing human smallness before divine care.
- 1 Chronicles 29:14 (thematic): Davidic humility in Chronicles: David’s acknowledgment of his unworthiness and dependence on God for what has been given parallels the sentiment expressed in 1 Chr 17:16.
- Luke 1:43 (allusion): Analogous expression of astonishment at being chosen for a high honor: Elizabeth’s wonder, 'And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?' mirrors the motif of amazement at divine favor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?"
- And King David came and sat before the LORD and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
1 C.17.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקטן: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותדבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- למרחוק: PREP
- וראיתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+1,sg
- כתור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המעלה: VERB,hiphil,ptcp,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:18 (quotation): Almost identical wording and context — David's astonished, humble response to God's promise about his house (the parallel passage in Samuel).
- 2 Samuel 7:19 (verbal): Immediate continuation in Samuel repeating the same themes/questions of David’s humility and unworthiness before God’s promise (structurally and verbally parallel).
- Psalm 8:4-6 (thematic): Shares the theme of human smallness before God’s attention — “What is man... that you are mindful of him?” — echoing David’s wonder that God would care for him and his house.
- 1 Samuel 2:8 (thematic): Hannah’s song emphasizes God’s care for the lowly and his raising up of the humble, paralleling the motif of God regarding and elevating a servant (David) whom one would not expect.
Alternative generated candidates
- And is this thing small in your eyes, O God? You have spoken concerning the house of your servant from afar, and you have regarded me as though I were a man of consequence before you, O LORD God.
- And this seemed small in your sight, O God; you have spoken concerning the house of your servant from afar, and you have regarded me as though I were a mere mortal.
1 C.17.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מה: PRON,int
- יוסיף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לכבוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Sam.7:18 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: David's thanksgiving/response to God's promise appears here in Samuel with the same language of 'what more can David say' and 'thou knowest thy servant.'
- 2 Sam.7:18-20 (verbal): Expanded unit in Samuel containing the same petition and humility language as 1 Chr 17:16–19; preserves the broader context of David's astonished gratitude.
- Ps.8:4 (thematic): Expresses the same theme of human lowliness and wonder at God's attention—'what is man, that thou art mindful of him?'—parallel to David's humility before God's favor.
- Ps.89:20-24 (structural): Speaks of God's selection and establishment of David ('I have found David my servant') and the covenantal promises that provoke David's grateful amazement in 1 Chr 17:18.
- 1 Chr.29:14 (thematic): Davidic language of humility and dependence—acknowledging that greatness comes from God—resonates with the servant's awareness that God alone knows and honors him.
Alternative generated candidates
- What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, O LORD God.
- What more can David say to you in honor of your servant? For you, O LORD, know your servant.
1 C.17.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעבור: PREP
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- וכלבך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- להדיע: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הגדלות: ADJ,f,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:21 (quotation): Direct parallel/near-quotation of David’s words in 1 Chr 17:19—acknowledging that, according to God’s heart, God has done all this greatness for his servant.
- 2 Samuel 7:18-22 (structural): Broader structural parallel: the entire prayer/response of David in 1 Chr 17 corresponds closely to these verses in 2 Samuel (same themes and much of the same language).
- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (thematic): David’s doxology praising God’s greatness and sovereignty echoes the theme of crediting God for great deeds done for David and his house.
- Psalm 89:20-29 (allusion): Recollects Yahweh’s choosing and covenant with David and the mighty acts done for him—similar focus on God’s favor and the greatness made known concerning David’s house.
- Psalm 78:4 (verbal): Uses the motif/verb of 'making known' (telling/publishing God’s deeds) — parallel emphasis on declaring God’s great acts for future knowledge.
Alternative generated candidates
- O LORD, for your servant’s sake and according to your own heart you have done all this great thing, to make your servant know of all the greatness.
- O LORD, for the sake of your servant and according to your own heart you have wrought all this greatness, to make known all your mighty deeds.
1 C.17.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זולתך: PREP+2ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמענו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- באזנינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,1,_,pl
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:22 (quotation): Direct parallel/recapitulation of the same confession in David's prayer — the Chronicles passage largely echoes 2 Samuel's wording declaring no God like Yahweh.
- Exodus 15:11 (verbal): The Song at the Red Sea uses the same rhetorical cry 'Who is like you?/There is none like you,' celebrating Yahweh's uniqueness and mighty acts.
- Isaiah 45:5 (verbal): God's exclusive deity is asserted: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other,' echoing the language 'there is no god besides you' in Chronicles.
- Deuteronomy 4:35 (thematic): Deuteronomy declares Yahweh's uniqueness ('the LORD is God; there is none else') — the same theological theme of exclusive monotheism found in 1 Chronicles 17:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- O LORD, there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
- O LORD, there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
1 C.17.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומי: PRON,interr
- כעמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons+2,m
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לפדות: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- לשום: VERB,qal,inf
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- ונראות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לגרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- מפני: PREP
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פדית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:23 (quotation): נוסח כמעט זהה; דברי הימים משחזרים/מצטטים את אותה פרזול בתשובת הודיה על כך שה' פדה את עם ישראל והפך להם שם וגדולה.
- Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (thematic): הרעיון של בחירת ה' בעם ישראל כעם קדוש והוצאתו ממצרים כמעשה גאולה שמייסד את מעמדם הלאומי־דתי.
- Exodus 19:4-6 (thematic): הרעיון של ה' שהוציא את העם ממצרים כדי שיהיה לו לעם מיוחד ('לממלכת כהנים ועם קדוש') — הקשר בין הגאולה למעמד העם.
- Psalm 135:4 (thematic): הצהרת הבחירה האלוהית ביעקב ובישראל ('כי בחר ה' ביעקב לו ובישראל לסגלה') מחזיקה את אותו מוטיב של עם שנבחר ונפדה.
Alternative generated candidates
- And who is like your people Israel—a single nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for himself, to make for himself a name of greatness and terror, and to drive out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?
- And who is like your people Israel—one nation on the earth that God went to redeem for himself, to make for you a name, to do great and awesome things, and to drive out nations before your people whom he redeemed from Egypt?
1 C.17.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לעם: PREP
- עד: PREP
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:24 (quotation): Direct parallel: Chronicles repeats the Davidic covenant wording found in 2 Samuel, affirming Israel as God's people forever and Yahweh as their God.
- Exodus 6:7 (verbal): Uses the same covenant formula: 'I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God,' echoing the reciprocal relation between Israel and YHWH.
- Leviticus 26:12 (verbal): God's promise of presence and relationship—'I will walk among you... I will be your God and you will be my people'—parallels the theme of God as Israel's God.
- Ezekiel 37:27 (thematic): Eschatological restoration language: 'I will make my dwelling among them... I will be their God, and they shall be my people,' echoing the covenantal promise in Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you set your people Israel to be your people forever; and you, O LORD, became their God.
- You have given your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God.
1 C.17.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאמן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:29 (quotation): Almost identical closing petition to God: ask that the word spoken concerning David and his house be established forever and fulfilled.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (verbal): Nathan’s oracle promising David’s house and throne will be established forever — the prophetic basis for the request in Chronicles.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (thematic): Affirms God’s covenant with David to establish his offspring and throne for all generations, echoing the long‑term establishment prayed for here.
- Psalm 132:11 (allusion): Speaks of the LORD’s oath to David to raise up a descendant on his throne, alluding to the divine promise the petitioner asks to be confirmed.
- Luke 1:32-33 (allusion): New Testament reference to the Davidic promise (the Messiah will reign on David’s throne forever), echoing the enduring establishment of David’s house sought in 1 Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, O LORD, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever, and do as you have spoken.
- Now therefore, O LORD, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and his house, establish it forever; do as you have spoken.
1 C.17.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמך: NOUN,m,sg,cs,2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:26-29 (quotation): Chronicles largely repeats David’s prayer of thanksgiving after Nathan’s oracle; the address to 'LORD of hosts, the God of Israel' and the themes of God’s action and David’s response closely parallel this passage.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (verbal): The promise that David’s house and kingdom will be established forever corresponds directly to 'בית־דוד עבדך נכון לפניך' (the house of David your servant is established before you).
- Psalm 89:3-4, 20-37 (allusion): Psalm 89 celebrates God’s covenant with David and the assurance that his throne/enduring dynasty will be established—echoing the covenantal promise affirmed in 1 Chr 17:24.
- Psalm 132:11 (thematic): God’s oath to set a son of David on his throne (God’s commitment to David’s house) thematically parallels the declaration that the house of David is established before the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- And let your name be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel'; and let the house of your servant David be established before you.
- And let your name be confirmed and magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God of Israel, and the house of David your servant is established before you.'
1 C.17.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- גלית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אזן: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- מצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- להתפלל: VERB,hitp,inf
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:27 (quotation): Direct parallel—David's prayer acknowledging that God revealed He would 'build a house' for him; wording and context closely mirror 1 Chr 17:25.
- 2 Samuel 7:11-16 (quotation): The divine promise that God will establish David's 'house' and offspring; background source for Chronicles' statement about God's revelation to David.
- Psalm 89:20-29 (verbal): Addresses David as God's chosen servant and speaks of establishing his house and covenantal protection—verbal and thematic echoes of the promise in 1 Chr 17:25.
- Jeremiah 33:17-21 (allusion): Prophetic restatement of the Davidic covenant—that David's line and throne endure—later allusion to the same promise God revealed to David.
- Acts 13:22-23 (thematic): NT reflection on God's choice of David and the coming of a savior from his seed; thematically connects the promise that God would establish David's house to later messianic fulfillment.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you, O LORD God, have revealed to your servant that you would build him a house; therefore your servant found boldness to pray before you.
- For you, O God, have revealed to your servant that you would build him a house; therefore your servant has found boldness to pray before you.
1 C.17.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותדבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:28 (quotation): Near-verbatim parallel in the parallel Samuel account: David acknowledges 'O Lord, you are God' and that God has promised this good thing to his servant (part of the Davidic covenant response).
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (verbal): Core promise from the Nathan/Divine oracle—God will establish David's house and throne forever, i.e., the 'good thing' spoken to the servant.
- Psalm 89:3–4 (thematic): Affirms God's covenantal promise to David ('I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn to David'), echoing the theme of God speaking a lasting good to his servant.
- Psalm 132:11 (allusion): Speaks of God's sworn oath to set one of David's offspring on his throne—another expression of the divine promise underlying the 'good thing' given to David.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have spoken this good thing concerning your servant.
- And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have spoken this good thing concerning your servant.
1 C.17.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- הואלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לברך: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ברכת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ומברך: CONJ+VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:29 (verbal): Direct parallel in the 2 Samuel account of Nathan's oracle/David's prayer: similar wording about blessing the house of your servant to be before you forever — Chronicles largely reworks this material.
- Psalm 89:3-4, 35-37 (thematic): Psalm language affirms the Davidic covenant and God's enduring promise to establish David's line and throne forever, echoing the theme of blessing David's house permanently.
- Psalm 132:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's sworn oath to David to set his offspring on the throne forever — closely related covenantal promise that David's house will be blessed and established.
- Luke 1:32-33 (allusion): NT fulfillment motif: the angel's promise that Jesus will sit on David's throne and reign forever echoes the Old Testament assurance that David's house/line will be blessed and endure forever.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore, be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may be before you forever; for you, O LORD, have blessed and will bless forever.
- Therefore now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may stand before you forever; for you, O LORD, have blessed and you bless forever.
And the king David went in and sat before the LORD, and said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?" And what is this, O God, that you should so regard it? You have spoken of the house of your servant from afar, and you have looked upon me as one who lifts up his face to you, O LORD God.
What more can David say to you for the honor of your servant? For you know your servant.
O LORD, for the sake of your servant and for the sake of his house you have done all this greatness, to make known all these mighty things.
O LORD, there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, in all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like your people Israel, a single nation on the earth whom God went out to redeem for himself—to make a name of greatness and renown, and to drive out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt?
You have given your people Israel to yourself to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. And now, O LORD, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, let it stand forever, and do as you have spoken. And let your name be magnified and be great forever, saying, "The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is God over Israel," and the house of your servant David be established before you.
For you, O God, have made the ear of your servant to understand that he should build a house for you; therefore your servant has found it in his heart to pray before you. And now, O LORD, you are God; you have spoken this good thing concerning your servant. Now therefore, please bless the house of your servant, that it may be established forever before you; for you, O LORD, have blessed, and you bless forever.