1 Chronicles 17:16

¶ 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?

And David {H1732} the king {H4428} came {H935} and sat {H3427} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Who am I, O LORD {H3068} God {H430}, and what is mine house {H1004}, that thou hast brought {H935} me hitherto {H1988}?

Then David went in, sat before ADONAI and said, "Who am I, ADONAI, God, and what is my family, that has caused you to bring me this far?

Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Then David the king went in, and sat before Jehovah; and he said, Who am I, O Jehovah God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?

1 Chronicles 17:16 captures King David's profound response of humility and gratitude after receiving God's magnificent covenant promise. Having heard through the prophet Nathan that God, not he, would build a lasting "house" – a perpetual dynasty – for David, the king is overwhelmed by divine grace.

Context

This verse is David's direct response to the Davidic Covenant, as detailed in 1 Chronicles 17:7-15 (and paralleled in 2 Samuel 7). God promised David not only a stable throne and kingdom but also that his lineage would endure forever, ultimately pointing to the eternal reign of the Messiah. David had initially desired to build a temple for the Lord, but God turned the tables, promising to build David a "house" (dynasty) instead. This profound revelation prompts David's posture of worship and humble reflection.

Key Themes

  • Profound Humility: David's rhetorical questions, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house," express a deep sense of unworthiness. He acknowledges his humble beginnings as a shepherd and the unmerited favor of God that elevated him to kingship.
  • Divine Grace and Sovereignty: The verse highlights that God's blessings and promises are entirely by His grace, not based on human merit or achievement. God initiated the covenant and brought David "hitherto" – to this point of extraordinary blessing and promise.
  • Gratitude and Awe: David's posture ("sat before the LORD") signifies a deep, personal communion and a heart overflowing with gratitude for God's immeasurable kindness and faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Who am I?" (Hebrew: mi anochi - מִי אָנֹכִי) is a classic biblical expression of humility in the face of a divine call or overwhelming blessing. Similar sentiments are echoed by figures like Moses (Exodus 3:11) and Gideon (Judges 6:15). It underscores David's awareness that his position and future were entirely a gift from God, not a result of his own strength or lineage.

Practical Application

David's response in 1 Chronicles 17:16 serves as a powerful model for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Grace: Recognize that all our blessings, opportunities, and even our very existence are gifts from God's hand. We, too, are unworthy, yet recipients of His boundless favor.
  • Cultivate Humility: In an age that often glorifies self-made success, David reminds us to maintain a humble heart, understanding that our achievements are ultimately empowered and sustained by God.
  • Respond with Gratitude: Like David, we should approach God with a spirit of deep thanks and awe for His faithfulness and the incredible promises He has given us, particularly the promise of salvation and eternal life through His Son (John 3:16).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 32:10

    I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

  • 2 Samuel 7:18

    ¶ Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who [am] I, O Lord GOD? and what [is] my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • 1 Samuel 9:21

    And Saul answered and said, [Am] not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

  • Psalms 144:3

    LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

  • 1 Samuel 7:12

    Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

  • 2 Kings 19:14

    And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

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