King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 17:16 Mean?

1 Chronicles 17:16 in the King James Version says “And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast ...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?”

1 Chronicles 17:16 · KJV

Context

14

But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

15

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

16

And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

17

And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

18

What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's response 'Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?' exemplifies proper reception of grace - humble wonder rather than entitled presumption. The rhetorical questions acknowledge human unworthiness before divine favor. David's progression from shepherd to king came entirely by God's sovereign grace, not personal merit. This reflects the Reformed doctrine of election and unmerited favor. David's amazement at covenant promises mirrors believers' wonder at salvation in Christ - 'who am I that You would choose me?' This humble posture prepares hearts to receive greater revelation of God's grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David's humble origins - youngest son of a Bethlehem shepherd - made his elevation particularly remarkable. Ancient Near Eastern kings typically boasted of their ancestry and achievements, making David's self-abasement counter-cultural and theologically profound.

Reflection Questions

  1. When you consider God's grace in your life, do you respond with David's humble wonder or a sense of entitlement?
  2. How does meditating on your spiritual poverty apart from Christ cultivate appropriate amazement at His grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הֲבִֽיאֹתַ֖נִי1 of 17

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ2 of 17

“the king”

H4428

a king

דָּוִ֔יד3 of 17

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב4 of 17

“and sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לִפְנֵ֣י5 of 17

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֤ה6 of 17

“Who am I O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר7 of 17

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִֽי8 of 17
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֲנִ֞י9 of 17
H589

i

יְהוָ֤ה10 of 17

“Who am I O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהִים֙11 of 17

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וּמִ֣י12 of 17
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בֵיתִ֔י13 of 17

“and what is mine house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כִּ֥י14 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֲבִֽיאֹתַ֖נִי15 of 17

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַד16 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הֲלֹֽם׃17 of 17

“me hitherto”

H1988

hither

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 17:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 17:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 7:18Genesis 32:10Ephesians 3:8Psalms 144:31 Samuel 9:211 Samuel 7:12

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