2 Samuel 7:21

KJV

For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

For thy word's {H1697} sake, and according to thine own heart {H3820}, hast thou done {H6213} all these great things {H1420}, to make thy servant {H5650} know {H3045} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is for the sake of your word and in accordance with your own heart that you have done all this greatness and revealed it to your servant.

Berean Standard Bible

For the sake of Your word and according to Your own heart, You have accomplished this great thing and revealed it to Your servant.

American Standard Version

For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou wrought all this greatness, to make thy servant know it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:21 expresses profound awe and humble gratitude in response to God's astonishing covenant promises. This verse encapsulates David's realization that God's magnificent actions, particularly the establishment of an eternal dynasty for his house, are not predicated on human merit or achievement but flow entirely from God's sovereign will, inherent character, and benevolent purpose, revealed to deepen His servant's understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within David's prayer of thanksgiving, found in [2 Samuel 7:18-29](/2_samuel/7-18 "David's Prayer of Thanksgiving"). It immediately follows the prophet Nathan's divine revelation of the Davidic Covenant in [2 Samuel 7:8-16](/2_samuel/7-8 "The Davidic Covenant"). The narrative prior to this ([2 Samuel 7:1-3](/2_samuel/7-1 "David's Desire to Build a Temple")) shows David's desire to build a "house" (temple) for God. However, God, through Nathan, turns this desire on its head, promising instead to build David an "eternal house" (dynasty) and establish his kingdom forever. David's prayer, and specifically [2 Samuel 7:21](/2_samuel/7-21 "2 Samuel 7:21 - God's Actions from His Heart"), is his overwhelmed, humble, and worshipful response to this unilateral, unconditional, and utterly gracious divine initiative. It underscores the reversal of expectations, where God is the one who builds and gives, not the one who receives from human effort.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David reigned as king over a unified Israel, having established Jerusalem as his capital and brought the Ark of the Covenant there. In the ancient Near East, kings typically sought to solidify their legacies by building grand temples for their gods, believing such acts would secure divine favor and dynastic stability. David's initial intention to build a temple for Yahweh fits this cultural pattern. However, God's response in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") subverts this expectation, demonstrating that Yahweh is not a deity who needs a house built by human hands, but rather one who sovereignly builds and establishes. This highlights God's unique nature as the initiator of covenant and blessing, distinct from the transactional relationships often seen between deities and rulers in surrounding cultures. The concept of an "eternal dynasty" was a profound promise in a world where political stability was rare and succession often violent.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Samuel 7:21](/2_samuel/7-21 "2 Samuel 7:21 - God's Actions from His Heart") powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's sovereign initiative and grace**. God acts not because David earned it, but because of His own nature and purpose, echoing the divine election seen in [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Love for Israel"). Secondly, the phrase "according to thine own heart" highlights **divine benevolence and intrinsic will**. God's plans are rooted in His perfect character and good intentions, a theme beautifully articulated in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Welfare"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the theme of **God's self-revelation**. God performs "all these great things" not only to bless but "to make thy servant know [them]," signifying His desire for His people to intimately understand His power, faithfulness, and the depths of His love. This revelation deepens David's relationship with God and serves as a foundational truth for all who follow.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (דָּבָר, _davar'_):** This Hebrew term is rich in meaning, referring not only to a spoken word or utterance but also to a matter, affair, or decree. In the context of "For thy word's sake," it signifies God's prior declarations, promises, and revealed will. It emphasizes that God's actions are consistent with His own character and His established covenantal faithfulness. God acts because He has spoken and committed Himself, not because of external compulsion or human merit.
* **Heart (לֵב, _lev_):** In biblical Hebrew, "heart" is not merely the seat of emotion but the center of one's being—the intellect, will, purpose, and inner character. "According to thine own heart" therefore means that God's actions stem from His intrinsic nature, His sovereign design, His perfect intentions, and His benevolent desires. It underscores that God's plans are not arbitrary or whimsical but flow from His very essence and perfect wisdom.
* **Know (יָדַע, _yada'_):** This verb denotes a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge, far beyond mere intellectual assent. When God acts "to make thy servant know," it implies that the purpose of His great deeds is to draw David (and by extension, all believers) into a profound, personal understanding and appreciation of who God truly is—His power, faithfulness, love, and the depth of His redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thy word's sake":** This clause establishes the primary motivation for God's actions. God acts because of His own prior declarations, promises, and revealed will. His faithfulness is to His own character and His covenantal commitments, not contingent on human deserving or performance. This highlights God's unwavering reliability and the absolute trustworthiness of His divine pronouncements.
* **"and according to thine own heart":** This phrase further clarifies God's motivation, revealing that His actions spring from His intrinsic nature, His sovereign design, and His benevolent desires. It means God's plans and deeds are not external impositions but flow from His very being, His perfect wisdom, and His deep love for His people. It underscores the gracious and purposeful nature of His divine will.
* **"hast thou done all these great things":** This refers specifically to the magnificent promises of the Davidic Covenant – the establishment of David's eternal dynasty, the perpetual throne, and the promise of a descendant who would build God's house. It encompasses the expansive, far-reaching nature of God's redemptive plan that extends beyond David's immediate lifetime to future generations and ultimately to the Messiah.
* **"to make thy servant know [them]":** This final clause reveals God's ultimate purpose in performing these "great things." Beyond simply bestowing blessings, God desires that His people, represented by David, would come to a deeper, experiential understanding of His character, power, and love. The revelation of His plan serves to deepen David's (and our) comprehension of who God is and to foster a more intimate relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Samuel 7:21](/2_samuel/7-21 "2 Samuel 7:21 - God's Actions from His Heart") employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Motivation through Divine Attributes**, where God's actions are explicitly attributed to His "word" and "heart." This emphasizes His self-sufficiency and intrinsic goodness as the source of all blessing. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** or **Magnification** in the phrase "all these great things," which underscores the immense and extraordinary nature of God's promises to David, far exceeding any human expectation or merit. The verse also functions as a form of **Divine Revelation**, as God performs these acts specifically "to make thy servant know [them]," implying that His works are designed to unveil His character and purposes to humanity. Finally, the phrase "according to thine own heart" contains a subtle **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human-like internal motivation (a "heart") to God, which makes His actions relatable and understandable, even while maintaining His divine transcendence and sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Samuel 7:21](/2_samuel/7-21 "2 Samuel 7:21 - God's Actions from His Heart") stands as a profound theological statement about the nature of God's covenantal faithfulness and His sovereign grace. It teaches that God's actions are not reactive to human merit or performance, but are proactively rooted in His own unchanging character and His benevolent will. This foundational truth assures believers that God's promises are utterly reliable because they originate from His perfect being. His "word" is His bond, and His "heart" is pure goodness. This verse illuminates the concept that God reveals Himself through His mighty deeds, inviting His people into a deeper, more intimate knowledge of His person and purposes. It is a testament to the divine initiative in salvation history, where God consistently takes the first step, driven by His own inherent love and faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7 "God's Choice Based on Love")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Ephesians 1:9-11](/ephesians/1-9 "God's Purpose According to His Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Samuel 7:21](/2_samuel/7-21 "2 Samuel 7:21 - God's Actions from His Heart") offers immense comfort and a profound call to humility for believers today. In a world that often emphasizes earning and deserving, this verse powerfully reminds us that God's greatest blessings, including His covenant promises and our salvation, are entirely a matter of His grace, stemming from His "word" and "heart," not our worthiness. This truth liberates us from the burden of performance and invites us into a deeper trust in God's unchanging character. When facing uncertainties or trials, we can rest assured that God's plans for us are rooted in His benevolent nature and His unwavering faithfulness, just as they were for David. This should cultivate a spirit of profound gratitude and awe, mirroring David's response. Furthermore, God's desire "to make thy servant know [them]" challenges us to actively seek a deeper, experiential knowledge of Him through His word and His works, allowing His self-revelation to transform our understanding and relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God acts "for His word's sake" and "according to His own heart" challenge any tendency to believe we must earn God's favor?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply that God's actions are rooted in His benevolent character, not your circumstances or performance?**
* **What does it mean for you to "know" God more intimately through His "great things" in your life and in salvation history?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God acting "for thy word's sake"?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes God's absolute faithfulness to His own promises and declarations. It means that God's actions are driven by His prior commitments and His revealed will, not by any external compulsion or human merit. His word is inherently powerful and true, and He acts to uphold its integrity and fulfill its purpose. This provides immense assurance that God's promises are utterly reliable because they originate from His own unchangeable character.

**What does it mean that God acts "according to thine own heart"?**

Answer: "According to thine own heart" indicates that God's actions flow from His intrinsic nature, His sovereign design, His perfect intentions, and His benevolent desires. It signifies that God's plans are not arbitrary or whimsical but are deeply rooted in His very being, His perfect wisdom, and His profound love. This reveals God as a personal, purposeful, and loving being who acts from His core essence for the good of His creation and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

**Why does God do "all these great things" to "make thy servant know [them]"?**

Answer: God performs "all these great things"— His mighty acts of creation, covenant, and redemption—not only to bless His people but also to reveal Himself to them. The purpose of His works is to draw humanity, represented by David, into a deeper, experiential, and intimate knowledge of His character, power, and love. God desires that His people truly understand who He is, the depths of His faithfulness, and the magnitude of His redemptive plan, thereby fostering a more profound relationship and worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[2 Samuel 7:21](/2_samuel/7-21 "2 Samuel 7:21 - God's Actions from His Heart") finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "great things" God did for David, particularly the promise of an eternal house and kingdom, are fully realized in the person and work of Christ, the true Son of David. God's action "for thy word's sake" culminates in Jesus, who is the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). Furthermore, God's actions "according to thine own heart" are most profoundly demonstrated in the sending of His Son, revealing the depth of His [love for a sinful world](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World") even while we were His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The eternal kingdom promised to David is established through Christ's resurrection and ascension, as He now reigns at the right hand of God ([Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and Christ")). Through Christ, God has indeed done the "greatest thing" to make His servants "know" Him, revealing His character, power, and redemptive purpose in the most intimate and complete way possible, drawing all who believe into an eternal covenant relationship with Him ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 115:1

¶ Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake.

Ephesians 1:9

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Luke 12:32

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Psalms 138:2

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Ephesians 3:11

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

1 Corinthians 1:1

¶ Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes [our] brother,

Luke 1:72

To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;