1 Chronicles 17 19

1 Chronicles 17:19 kjv

O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

1 Chronicles 17:19 nkjv

O LORD, for Your servant's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

1 Chronicles 17:19 niv

LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.

1 Chronicles 17:19 esv

For your servant's sake, O LORD, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

1 Chronicles 17:19 nlt

For the sake of your servant, O LORD, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known.

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 19 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:19 expresses David's profound awe and humility as he recognizes the source and motivation behind God's magnificent covenant promises. He attributes God's benevolent actions entirely to God's own free will and inherent gracious character, declaring that the Lord acted "for Thy servant's sake" (i.e., David, out of grace towards him) and "according to Thine own heart." This comprehensive "greatness" and revelation of divine truth is solely purposed by God to make known His own grand plans and powerful acts, underscoring that the covenant is a gift stemming purely from divine initiative rather than any human merit or persuasion.

1 Chronicles 17 19 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 17 is a parallel account to 2 Samuel chapter 7. It describes the pivotal moment when King David expresses his desire to build a "house" (temple) for the ark of the covenant, wishing to provide a proper dwelling for the Lord, unlike his own splendid cedar palace. Initially, the prophet Nathan encourages David's plan. However, that very night, God reveals a profound message to Nathan. God explicitly tells Nathan to inform David that He, not David, will build David a "house" – not a temple of wood and stone, but an enduring dynastic "house" of descendants, an everlasting kingdom, and an eternal throne (1 Chr 17:10-14). This divine oracle, known as the Davidic Covenant, shifts the focus from David's plans for God to God's plans for David. Verse 19 is part of David's humble and awe-filled prayer of thanksgiving, responding to this astonishing covenant promise. He understands that this monumental promise of an enduring kingdom is not a reward for his righteousness, but a demonstration of God's unilateral grace, wisdom, and sovereign purpose, designed to reveal God's own magnificence.

1 Chronicles 17 19 Word analysis

• O LORD: (יְהוָה, YHWH, Yahweh) – This is the sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful nature. Its use here emphasizes David's relationship with the God who has made these specific promises to Israel and now to him. It highlights that the covenant originates from the Person of God Himself, the ultimate sovereign.

• for Thy servant's sake: (בַּעֲבוּר עַבְדֶּךָ, ba'avur avdecha) – Literally, "on account of your servant." This doesn't imply David's merit. Instead, it underscores God's grace and elective love. God has chosen David to be His servant, and it is out of God's own good pleasure, in relationship with David, that these promises are made. It hints at the divine volition towards David. It's a statement of gracious favour rather than earned right.

• and according to Thine own heart: (וּכְלִבְּךָ, u-k’livcha) – This is a deeply significant phrase. "According to Thine own heart" signifies that God's actions and intentions spring directly from His internal disposition, His character, His benevolent will, and His sovereign purpose. There is no external compulsion or human influence on God's decision; He acts entirely out of who He is. It reveals the purely spontaneous, unprompted nature of God's grace and initiative in the covenant. This contrasts sharply with pagan deities whose actions were often thought to be manipulated by rituals or sacrifices.

• hast Thou done all this greatness: (עָשִׂיתָ אֵת כָּל־הַגְּדוּלָּה הַזֹּאת, asita et kol-hagedullah hazot) – "Greatness" refers to the magnificent promises of the Davidic covenant: an enduring dynasty, a perpetual kingdom, and an eternal throne (1 Chr 17:10-14). David recognizes these promises as acts of immense, unprecedented divine power and grace, far beyond anything he could conceive or earn.

• to make known: (לְהוֹדִיעַ, l'hodi'a) – To reveal, to cause to know, to demonstrate. This points to the ultimate purpose of God's great deeds: self-revelation. God acts so that His nature, His power, His faithfulness, and His sovereign plan might be seen and understood, not just by David but by all generations.

• all these great things: (כָּל־הַגְּדוּלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, kol-hagedulot ha'elleh) – This phrase echoes "all this greatness," re-emphasizing the profound scope and significance of the covenant promises. They are "great things" because they unfold God's eternal redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah.

• "for Thy servant's sake, and according to Thine own heart": This phrase beautifully encapsulates the unmerited nature of God's grace and His sovereign purpose. It highlights God's initiative: the covenant wasn't earned by David (even as a faithful servant) but flowed purely from God's gracious intent. This phrase is a cornerstone for understanding divine election and covenant grace.

• "hast Thou done all this greatness, to make known all these great things": This clarifies God's ultimate objective in His great works – to manifest His own glory and truth. The establishment of David's house is not an end in itself but a means by which God reveals His power, faithfulness, and eternal plan.

1 Chronicles 17 19 Bonus section

The phrase "according to Thine own heart" (וּכְלִבְּךָ, u-k’livcha) in Hebrew carries a stronger emphasis on inner impulse and purpose than a simple translation might convey. It's about God's intrinsic disposition, not merely a whimsical thought, but His settled, eternal will. This concept reinforces God's immutability and the certainty of His promises, as His character does not change. This perspective is vital because it anchors the Davidic covenant's enduring nature not in human fallibility but in divine perfection. The theological implications extend to the New Covenant in Christ, where God's ultimate act of "greatness" in sending His Son is likewise an expression of His own heart's love and redemptive purpose (Jn 3:16; Eph 2:4). David's understanding here foreshadows a full appreciation of divine grace as the sole initiator and sustainer of salvation.

1 Chronicles 17 19 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:19 is a profound declaration of David's theological insight into the nature of God's covenant with him. Having just heard Nathan's astonishing prophecy that God would build him an eternal house and kingdom, David's response isn't one of self-congratulation but of profound humility and adoration. He correctly perceives that these magnificent promises—promises that far exceed his own worthiness or desires—do not stem from any merit within himself as "Thy servant," but solely "according to Thine own heart." This signifies God's own spontaneous, benevolent will as the sole motive for His actions.

The "greatness" and "great things" God has done and will do are precisely these covenant assurances that point forward to the coming Messiah, the Son of David who will reign forever. The purpose of these unparalleled acts, David understands, is "to make known" God's own glorious attributes, His faithfulness, His sovereign power, and His unwavering redemptive plan. David understands that the covenant is primarily for God's glory and revelation, through the vehicle of His people and ultimately through Christ. It's a reminder that God's plan is comprehensive and purpose-driven, demonstrating His power and presence in the unfolding narrative of salvation.

• Example for Practical Usage:
  • When we witness profound blessings or answers to prayer in our lives, this verse calls us to reflect not on our deservingness, but on God's character: "Lord, You have done this goodness not because I earned it, but purely according to Your own heart, to reveal Your faithful nature."
  • When faced with overwhelming challenges, we can lean on the truth that God acts "according to His own heart," meaning His love, wisdom, and power will prevail, as He works to make His purposes known, not ours.