1 Chronicles 17 17

1 Chronicles 17:17 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 17:17 nkjv

And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

1 Chronicles 17:17 niv

And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, LORD God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.

1 Chronicles 17:17 esv

And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O LORD God!

1 Chronicles 17:17 nlt

And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O LORD God!

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 17 Meaning

This verse encapsulates David’s profound humility and overwhelming awe in response to God's astounding covenant promise, delivered through Nathan the prophet. David acknowledges that his own desire to build a temple for God was a "small thing" compared to the infinitely greater promise God bestowed upon him – establishing an eternal dynasty for his "house" (lineage) extending far into the distant future. It expresses that God regarded David and his future line not merely in human terms but according to a high, elevated divine purpose or plan that transcends typical human experience and even anticipates God's greater redemptive design for all humanity.

1 Chronicles 17 17 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 17 is a pivotal text that parallels 2 Samuel chapter 7. It recounts the Davidic Covenant, which is arguably the most significant covenant after the Abrahamic covenant in the Old Testament, forming the theological backbone for messianic prophecy. Prior to this verse, King David expressed a desire to build a magnificent "house" (temple) for the ark of the covenant, as he felt it was inappropriate for him to live in a grand palace while God’s dwelling was in a tent. God, through the prophet Nathan, responds not by accepting David’s offer to build Him a house, but by unilaterally promising to build David "a house"—meaning a lasting dynasty and a perpetual kingdom. Verse 17 comes as part of David's prayer of humble thanksgiving and profound adoration following this divine promise. It signifies David's recognition that God’s thoughts and plans far transcend his own and indeed extend into an unimaginable, glorious future, culminating in the person of the Messiah. The historical context is ancient Israel, establishing their kingship with a divine promise, yet redirecting focus from human accomplishments to divine grace and purpose.

1 Chronicles 17 17 Word analysis

• And this was a small thing:
  • "And this": Connects directly to the preceding divine promises made by Nathan. It refers to God's magnificent offer to establish David's own house and kingdom.
  • "small thing" (Hebrew: qaton - קָטֹן): Indicates something insignificant or minor. David, in profound humility, declares that God's incredible generosity in promising him a lasting dynasty was seen by God as a trivial matter. This underscores God's boundless grace, for whom the grandest human aspirations or divine promises appear effortless and secondary to His even greater plans. It reflects David’s perspective on God's omnipotence and immeasurable capacity for blessing, implying there are even vaster things in God’s scope.
• in Your sight, O God:
  • Highlights the divine perspective. What appears great to humans is ordinary or even "small" for God, indicating His transcending power and ultimate design.
• but You have spoken also:
  • The "but" (Hebrew: gam - גַּם) implies an intensification; not only has God done the 'small thing', but He has also gone beyond, speaking of something far grander. It emphasizes God's initiative and expansive plans.
• of Your servant's house for a great while to come:
  • "Your servant's house": Refers to David's dynasty, his lineage and future descendants who would inherit his throne.
  • "for a great while to come" (Hebrew: lemeraqoq - לְמֵרָחוֹק, lit. "from afar," or "for the distant future"): This phrase is crucial. It points to a long-term, far-reaching promise, implying perpetuity. This prophecy transcends David's immediate descendants, signifying the eternal nature of the kingdom, which ultimately finds its fulfillment in the everlasting reign of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David. It suggests a future not just generations ahead but pointing to the end of the ages.
• and have regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God:
  • "have regarded me" (Hebrew: ra'itani - רָאִיתָנִי, from ra'ah - to see, to look upon, to perceive): Signifies God's attentive gaze, His intentional focus and care. God didn't just casually glance at David but specifically set His intention towards him.
  • "according to the estate of a man of high degree" (Hebrew: torat ha'adam lema'alah - תּוֹרַת הָאָדָם לְמַעְלָה). This is a highly debated and challenging phrase with multiple scholarly interpretations.
    • Literal interpretations:
      • "According to the rank of exalted man": God has lifted David to an exalted position.
      • "As for mankind (you provide) for him, up to eternity": Suggests God's general plan for humanity or for David's line unto high degree.
    • More profound theological interpretations often highlight a Messianic sense:
      • "According to the plan for man, even a great man," or "According to the divine law/ordinance pertaining to humanity at large, elevated": This understanding views God's promise to David not just as personal elevation but as a revelation of God's overarching eternal purpose for all mankind, to be fulfilled through David’s royal line. It speaks of the divine design for humanity itself being brought to its peak or exaltation through this Davidic promise. In this view, God looks upon David and his house, and beyond them, reveals His ultimate "blueprint" or "plan" for all mankind's destiny and redemption, which culminates in the Messiah.
      • It implies that God’s focus is not merely on David as an individual king but on how David's house serves as the conduit for the greatest act of divine elevation for humanity—the advent of the God-man, the Messiah, who would restore mankind's fallen estate and lift it to glorious heights. This shifts the focus from David's individual fate to God’s grand design for cosmic history and redemption.
• O LORD God: David's address of supreme reverence and acknowledgement of God's sovereignty. Uses two common names for God in combination, denoting His covenant faithfulness and power.

1 Chronicles 17 17 Bonus section

• Chiasm: Many commentators observe a chiastic structure in David's prayer of thanks (1 Chr 17:16-27), beginning and ending with humility, but centering on God's incredible covenant promise, emphasizing symmetry and theological weight.
• Echoes in Worship: David’s humility here provides a template for true worship and gratitude, acknowledging God's immeasurable nature (His plans are infinitely higher than human plans - Is 55:8-9).
• Typology: David, in this account, serves as a type (or foreshadowing) of Christ. While David wanted to build God a house of cedar, God built David a house, a perpetual dynasty, ultimately culminating in Christ, who is the true and eternal temple and king.
• Disparity between Desire and Gift: The powerful lesson here is the stark contrast between what David desired to give God (a building) and what God chose to give David (an eternal dynasty). God's response consistently surpasses human expectation, turning human aspirations into a foundation for divine and eternal purposes.

1 Chronicles 17 17 Commentary

First Chronicles 17:17 is a remarkable statement of humility and prophetic insight from King David. It reveals a critical aspect of God's character: His grace vastly exceeds human expectations and understanding. David, having desired to build a magnificent Temple for God, is overwhelmed to discover that God’s plan is far greater: He will build David a dynasty, an enduring "house." David views his own aspirations as trivial compared to God’s profound, long-term covenant. The most significant theological insight in this verse lies in the mysterious phrase, "regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree." This can be understood as God elevating David to an exceptional standing. More profoundly, it can indicate that through David and his promised everlasting dynasty, God was revealing His ultimate "blueprint" or grand plan for humanity’s highest destiny. This future, exalted status for "man" would be realized perfectly through the coming Messiah, the true Son of David, whose reign would bring eternal glory and establish a new and elevated estate for all who believe. Thus, this verse moves from David’s personal gratitude to a glimpse of God’s redemptive purpose spanning eternity and encompassing all humanity.