David's Prayer of Thanksgiving for God's Promise
2 Samuel 7:18-29
2 S.7.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דוד: 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
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ומי: PRON,interr
- ביתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- כי: CONJ
- הביאתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg,obj:1,sg
- עד: PREP
- הלם: PRON,dem,ms,sg
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 17:16 (quotation): Parallel, nearly verbatim account of David's prayer of astonishment and humility after God's promise (the same words and context in the Chronicler's retelling).
- Psalm 8:4 (thematic): Expresses the same theme of wonder at God's attention to a lowly human: 'What is man that You are mindful of him?', echoing David's astonished humility before God's favor.
- Isaiah 6:5 (thematic): Isaiah's exclamation 'Woe is me... I am a man of unclean lips' parallels the motif of personal unworthiness and awe in God's presence found in David's response.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (allusion): Speaks of God's covenantal promise to David ('I have made a covenant with my chosen... I will establish your offspring'), the kind of divine assurance that prompts David's astonished question in 2 Samuel 7:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then King David entered and sat before the LORD and said, Who am I, my lord, O LORD, and what is my house, that you have brought me to this point?
- And the king came in and sat before the LORD, and said, "Who am I, my lord, O LORD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?"
2 S.7.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקטן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עוד: ADV
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותדבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- גם: ADV
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- למרחוק: PREP+ADV
- וזאת: CONJ+DEM,f,sg
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 17:16 (quotation): Direct retelling of David’s prayer found in 2 Samuel 7; Chronicles repeats the same words and themes almost verbatim, making this a direct parallel.
- 1 Kings 8:18-20 (thematic): Solomon, at the dedication of the temple, recalls God’s promise to David and the humility of David’s response, echoing the narrative context and David’s wonder at God’s favor.
- Psalm 89:3-4, 20-37 (allusion): This psalm celebrates and elaborates the Davidic covenant—God’s promises to David and his offspring—and uses language and themes (God’s faithfulness to his servant, the enduring throne) that echo 2 Samuel 7.
- Psalm 132:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD’s oath concerning David’s house and seed; thematically parallels the covenantal promise and divine choice celebrated in David’s prayer.
Alternative generated candidates
- And yet this was small in your sight, my lord, O LORD; you have spoken also of the house of your servant for the distant future — this is the manner of men, O LORD.
- And yet this was small in your sight, my lord, O LORD; you have moreover spoken of the house of your servant from of old—this, O LORD my God, is instruction for humankind.
2 S.7.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- יוסיף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1Chron.17.16 (verbal): Parallel retelling of David’s prayer in Chronicles; many phrases (David’s humility and reference to himself as God’s servant) closely mirror 2 Sam 7:18–20.
- 2Sam.7.18 (structural): Immediate context in the same speech: David’s preceding words ('Who am I, O Lord GOD?') express the same humility and recognition of God’s knowledge of his servant.
- Psalm.89.3-4 (thematic): Psalmic reflection on the Davidic covenant (God’s sworn promise to David) — thematically linked to God’s promises that prompt David’s humbled response in 2 Sam 7.
- Luke.1.32-33 (thematic): New Testament fulfillment motif: the angel announces a ruler given the throne of David forever, echoing the Davidic covenant language that elicits David’s humble ‘your servant’ language in 2 Sam 7.
Alternative generated candidates
- What more, then, can David add to speak to you? For you know your servant, O LORD.
- What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, my lord, O LORD.
2 S.7.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעבור: PREP
- דברך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- וכלבך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- להודיע: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
Parallels
- 1 Chron.17.20 (verbal): Verse in the parallel Chronicler's account repeats nearly the same wording — God has done this great thing and made it known to his servant (verbal/parallel report).
- 2 Sam.7.27 (structural): Continuation/recapitulation of David's prayer in the same pericope: again acknowledges that God has revealed his purpose to his servant, motivating David's bold prayer (same speech-unit).
- 2 Sam.7.8-11 (thematic): God's promise to David (taking him from the sheepfold, making a great name, building a house) provides the substantive reason for ‘all this greatness’ that has been done and revealed to the servant.
- Ps.89.20-24 (thematic): Psalm celebrating God's selection and support of David (‘I have found my servant David… my hand shall uphold him’) echoes the theme of God revealing and establishing his favor and promises to his servant.
- Ps.132.11 (allusion): God's sworn promise to raise up David's offspring (a firm covenant concerning David's 'house') resonates with the chapter's motif of God revealing and securing a dynastic promise to his servant.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the sake of your word and according to your heart you have done all this greatness, to make it known to your servant.
- For your word's sake, and by the fullness of your heart, you have done all this greatness to make your servant know it.
2 S.7.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- גדלת: ADJ,f,pl
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זולתך: NOUN,f,sg,suff2
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמענו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- באזנינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,suff1
Parallels
- Exod.15.11 (verbal): The Song at the Red Sea asks 'Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?' (מי כמוך), echoing the same language of God's incomparable greatness ('אין כמוך').
- 1Chr.17.20-22 (structural): Chronicler's parallel retelling of David's prayer after God's covenant; repeats praise that the LORD is great and there is no god besides him, mirroring 2 Sam 7:22's content and wording.
- Isa.45.5 (allusion): God's declaration 'I am the LORD, and there is none else' affirms the exclusive uniqueness of Yahweh, the theological claim underlying 2 Sam 7:22.
- Ps.86.8-10 (verbal): The psalmist declares 'Among the gods there is none like unto thee,' affirming Yahweh's uniqueness and unrivaled deeds—language and theme parallel to 2 Sam 7:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore you are great, O LORD God; there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all we have heard with our ears.
- Therefore you are great, my lord, O LORD; for there is none like you, and there is no god besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
2 S.7.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומי: PRON,interr
- כעמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,2,m,sg
- כישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,abs
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפדות: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לעם: PREP
- ולשום: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- ולעשות: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ונראות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לארצך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- מפני: PREP
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פדית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואלהיו: CONJ+NOUN,pl,m,abs+SUFF,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 17:21-22 (quotation): Chronicles repeats David’s prayer nearly verbatim, praising Israel as the unique people God redeemed from Egypt to be his people and to make his name great—direct verbal parallel to 2 Sam 7:23.
- Deuteronomy 4:7-8 (thematic): Rhetorical question about the uniqueness of Israel (‘What other nation has gods so near…?’) and the special relationship through God’s statutes echoes the theme ‘Who is like your people Israel’.
- Psalm 147:19-20 (verbal): Affirms that God has revealed his statutes to Israel and ‘has not dealt thus’ with other nations, paralleling the claim of Israel’s unique redemption and divine favor in 2 Sam 7:23.
- Isaiah 43:1-3 (thematic): God speaks of redeeming and calling Israel by name (‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you’), reflecting the motif of divine redemption and chosen status found in 2 Sam 7:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- And who is like your people Israel — one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for himself to be a people, to give him renown, and to do great and awesome things for your land before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
- And who is like your people Israel—a single nation on the earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, to make for himself a name, and to do great and awesome things for your land before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?
2 S.7.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותכונן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,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
- 1 Chron.17.23 (verbal): Direct retelling of Nathan’s oracle in Chronicles with nearly identical wording establishing Israel as God’s people and Yahweh as their God.
- Exod.6.7 (verbal): God’s covenant formula: “I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God,” closely parallels the promise in 2 Sam 7:24.
- Lev.26.12 (verbal): Covenant language of divine presence and relationship — “I will walk among you... I will be your God, and you shall be my people,” echoing the same promise.
- Ezek.37.27 (verbal): Restoration prophecy: “I will make my dwelling among them... I will be their God and they shall be my people,” repeating the covenantal formula and permanence theme.
- Jer.31.1 (verbal): Renewal promise: “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people,” echoing the covenantal relationship affirmed in 2 Samuel 7:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have established your people Israel as your own people forever, and you, O LORD, have been their God.
- And you have established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, O LORD, have become their God.
2 S.7.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,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
- הקם: VERB,hiph,impv,2,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
- 1 Chronicles 17:25 (verbal): Almost identical parallel passage in the Chronicler's retelling of Nathan's oracle and David's prayer asking that God's word about his house be established.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (verbal): Earlier line in the same oracle promising that David's house and throne will be established forever—the substantive promise to which David here petitions God to stand by.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (thematic): Psalm celebrating God's covenantal promise to David to establish his offspring and throne forever, echoing the enduring nature of the promise David invokes in 2 Sam 7:25.
- Psalm 132:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's oath to David to raise up a lamp for his anointed and to maintain his descendants—an allusion to the divine pledge about David's house found in 2 Samuel 7.
- 2 Chronicles 6:16 (allusion): Part of Solomon's prayer at the temple asking God to keep for David what he promised him, directly recalling and appealing to the same promise David affirms in 2 Sam 7:25.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore, O LORD God, 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 God, fulfill the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have promised.
2 S.7.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- 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
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2Sam.7.16 (verbal): Direct parallel in the same oracle: God promises David’s house and throne will be established forever—same covenantal assurance that v.26 invokes.
- 1Chr.17.25 (verbal): Chronicles’ retelling of Nathan’s oracle uses nearly identical language (’may your name be magnified forever’ and the establishment of David’s house), a close verbal parallel.
- Ps.89:3-4 (quotation): Psalm 89 explicitly cites God’s covenant with David—’I have made a covenant with my chosen… I will establish your seed forever’—echoing the motif of an eternal Davidic house.
- Ps.132:11-12 (allusion): Recalls Yahweh’s oath to David to set his offspring on the throne and keep the covenant, thematically paralleling the promise that David’s house will be established before God.
- Isa.9:6-7 (thematic): Prophetic expansion of the Davidic covenant: a ruler from David’s line whose government and throne endure perpetually—theological fulfillment of the promise of an established Davidic house.
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 magnified forever, saying, "The LORD of hosts is God over Israel," and let the house of your servant David be established before you.
2 S.7.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גליתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אזן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- מצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- את: PRT,acc
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- להתפלל: VERB,hitpael,inf
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- התפלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 17:25 (verbal): A near-verbatim parallel in the Chronicler's retelling: God 'revealed to your servant' and David 'found in his heart to pray'—same language and context as 2 Sam 7:27.
- 2 Samuel 7:11-16 (structural): Immediate context: the divine promise to David to 'make him a house' and establish his offspring—these verses contain the promise that prompts David's prayer in v.27.
- Psalm 132:11 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's oath to David to 'set one of your descendants on your throne,' echoing the covenantal promise to build David a lasting house (dynasty).
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (thematic): Prophetic expansion of the Davidic promise—foretells an everlasting rule established on David's throne, reflecting the same theological theme of God building a 'house' for David's line.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him; therefore your servant found courage to pray this prayer to you.
- For you, my lord, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house; therefore your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
2 S.7.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ודבריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- יהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותדבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- את: PRT,acc
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 17:25 (verbal): Almost identical prayer language in David's memorial prayer after the divine promise; affirms God is God and his words are true, asking that the promised good be shown to the servant.
- 1 Kings 8:25 (allusion): Solomon invokes and affirms the divine promise to David in his dedication prayer—asking that the word God spoke to David be established, echoing trust in God's true word and blessing on David's house.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (thematic): Celebrates the covenant promise to David ('I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn to David my servant'), thematically echoing trust in God's word and the promised good to David's line.
- Psalm 132:11 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's oath to David to set one of his offspring on the throne—another affirmation of the Davidic covenant and God's faithful fulfillment of his word, paralleling the theme of God's truth and blessing on David's house.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, my lord, O LORD, you are God, and your words are truth — you have promised this good thing to your servant.
- And now, my lord, O LORD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
2 S.7.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- הואל: INTJ
- וברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- 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
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ומברכתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- יברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 17:25-27 (verbal): Parallel retelling of David's prayer in Chronicles; repeats the petition to bless the house of God's servant and the language about God's spoken word and enduring blessing.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (thematic): Psalmic expression of the Davidic covenant—God's promise to establish David's offspring and throne forever—echoes the plea for the house to be blessed 'forever.'
- 1 Kings 8:25 (allusion): Solomon appeals to 'the word which you have spoken' concerning David's house and asks God to confirm it, mirroring 2 Sam 7's appeal to God's spoken promise and lasting blessing.
- Psalm 132:11-12 (thematic): God's oath to David to set the fruit of his body on the throne and keep his offspring reflects the same theme of a perpetual, divinely guaranteed house.
- Genesis 12:2-3 (thematic): The promise to Abraham that his descendants will be made into a lasting blessing parallels the motif of God-bestowed, generational blessing on a chosen household.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore, be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, my lord, O LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing you will bless the house of your servant forever.
- Now therefore, please bless the house of your servant, that it may endure forever before you; for you, my lord, O LORD, have spoken, and by your blessing your servant's house shall be blessed forever."
And 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 this seemed yet a small thing in your sight, O LORD God; you have spoken also of the house of your servant for a distant time, and this you, O LORD God, have done for me. And what more can David say to you? for you, O LORD, know your servant.
Because of your word, and according to your own heart, you have wrought all this greatness to make your servant know it.
Therefore you are great, O LORD God; for there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like your people Israel, a single people on the earth whom God went to redeem for himself, to make for himself a name, and to do for you great and awesome things for your land before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt—nations and their gods?
For you have established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, O LORD, have become their God. And now, O LORD God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever, and do as you have spoken. 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.
For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house; therefore your servant has found boldness to pray before you. And now, O LORD God, you are God, and your words are true; and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now therefore, bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, O LORD, have blessed, and it shall be blessed forever.