2 Samuel 7 21

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.

2 Samuel 7:21 nkjv

For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them.

2 Samuel 7:21 niv

For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

2 Samuel 7:21 esv

Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.

2 Samuel 7:21 nlt

Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.

2 Samuel 7 verses

2 Samuel 7 21 Meaning

David, in awe and humility, declares that God's great and wondrous actions on behalf of His people and for David himself are fundamentally rooted in two things: God's immutable word and His intrinsic, gracious character or "heart." God performs these acts of creation, deliverance, and covenant fulfillment not out of external compulsion or human merit, but because of His faithfulness to His own promises and His benevolent, sovereign will, ultimately so that His servant may comprehend His magnificent plan and character.

2 Samuel 7 21 Context

2 Samuel chapter 7 records the pivotal Davidic Covenant, a central theme in Old Testament theology. David, now secure on his throne and living in a cedar house, feels it is inappropriate for the Ark of God to reside in a tent. He expresses a desire to build a permanent temple for God. However, God, through the prophet Nathan, responds by declining David's offer, instead promising to build David a "house" – a perpetual dynasty and a lasting kingdom. This divine promise is unconditional and exceeds all David's expectations. Verses 8-17 detail this covenant, assuring David that his son will build the temple, his throne will be established forever, and God's steadfast love will not depart from his lineage. Verse 21 is part of David's humble and prayerful response (verses 18-29) to this astounding revelation of God's unmerited favor. He reflects on the magnitude of God's grace, acknowledging that all God has done and promised is not due to any merit in himself, but solely from God's character and commitment.

2 Samuel 7 21 Word analysis

• For your word's sake, (לְמַעַן דְּבַרְךָ - l'ma'an devar'ka):
  • For the sake of (לְמַעַן - l'ma'an): This preposition indicates purpose or cause. God's word is the fundamental reason and driving force behind His actions.
  • your word (דְּבַרְךָ - devar'ka): Refers to God's previously spoken declarations, promises, and decrees. In the biblical context, God's word is not just utterance but carries creative power and covenantal faithfulness. It signifies divine commitment. This implies that God acts because He is faithful to what He has already purposed and revealed, demonstrating His consistency and reliability. His actions flow from His revealed will.
• and according to your own heart, (וּכְלִבְּךָ - u'khelibbekha):
  • and according to (וּכְלִבְּךָ - u'khelibbekha): The prefix `וּ` means "and", and `כְּ` means "like" or "according to".
  • your own heart (לִבְּךָ - libbekha): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (lev) is not merely the seat of emotions but encompasses the whole inner being, including the will, intellect, intention, and core character. So, "according to your own heart" means that God's actions spring from His intrinsic nature, His perfect will, His sovereign good pleasure, and His benevolent desires. It emphasizes that God's great works are volitional and deeply rooted in His identity as a loving, gracious, and purposeful God, independent of external factors or human merit.
• you have done all these great things, (עָשִׂיתָ אֵת כָּל־הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת - asita et kol-hagg'dolāh hazzot):
  • you have done (עָשִׂיתָ - asita): A completed action, past tense, emphasizing that God is the sole actor and initiator.
  • all these great things (אֵת כָּל־הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת - et kol-hagg'dolāh hazzot): This refers collectively to God's past history with Israel (deliverance from Egypt, giving them the land, establishing David's reign, providing rest from enemies) and especially to the stunning promise of the perpetual Davidic dynasty just revealed. These are "great" because they are acts of sovereign power, covenant fidelity, and boundless grace, exceeding human expectation or capacity.
• to make your servant know them. (לְהוֹדִ֧יעַ אֶת־עַבְדֶּֽךָ - l'hodia' et-'avdecha):
  • to make...know (לְהוֹדִ֧יעַ - l'hodia'): A Hifil infinitive, indicating causation. God actively brings about understanding in His servant. It highlights God's revelatory purpose in His acts. He doesn't just act, but He also reveals the meaning and significance of His actions.
  • your servant (עַבְדֶּֽךָ - 'avdecha): David humbly refers to himself, acknowledging his subservient role before the great King and Lord. Yet, as God's chosen servant, he is privileged to be brought into understanding of divine purpose.
  • them: Refers to "all these great things" that God has done. The purpose of God's deeds is not just accomplishment, but revelation; He intends for His people, particularly His chosen leader, to comprehend His power, faithfulness, and intentions.

• For your word's sake, and according to your own heart: This phrase captures the dual foundation of God's action: His revealed promise (His word) and His sovereign, gracious will (His heart). These are not separate or competing motivations, but two harmonious aspects of God's immutable character that drive all His benevolent deeds. It stresses that God's acts are inherently truthful, purposeful, and volitional, ensuring reliability and ultimate good.
• you have done all these great things, to make your servant know them: This highlights the profound connection between God's mighty acts and His revelatory purpose. God performs wonders not just for His own glory (though that is ultimately true), but also so that humanity, specifically His chosen people, can truly grasp who He is and the depths of His character and plan. It signifies a desire for relationship and understanding between the Creator and His creation.

2 Samuel 7 21 Bonus section

This verse subtly contrasts with the broader ancient Near Eastern worldview where gods were often fickle, and human actions were attempts to manipulate divine favor. David's prayer asserts that the true God acts from an internal, consistent, and righteous foundation, rather than being swayed by human offerings or achievements. The progression from God's decision to God's revelation signifies a purposeful and relational God who desires His creation to understand His works and character. David's use of "servant" reflects humility and acknowledges divine lordship, setting the stage for subsequent Old Testament figures and eventually pointing towards Christ, the ultimate servant.

2 Samuel 7 21 Commentary

2 Samuel 7:21 unveils David's profound understanding of God's initiative and grace in the newly established Davidic Covenant. David attributes God's "great things" to two primary sources: God's word (His faithfulness to previous promises and declarations) and God's heart (His inherent good pleasure and sovereign will). This demonstrates David's spiritual maturity; he does not assume God acts because of human merit or cleverness, but purely because of who God is. The phrase "for your word's sake" speaks to God's unwavering consistency and covenant fidelity, ensuring that what He has promised, He will perform. "According to your own heart" highlights the absolute sovereignty and benevolent intent of God; His actions flow from His internal nature and wise counsel. The culmination of these actions is "to make your servant know them," signifying that God's grand plan and magnificent deeds have a revelatory purpose – to bring His chosen people, here embodied by David, into deeper comprehension of His nature and His plan, fostering awe and worship. This verse encapsulates the foundational truth that salvation history is fundamentally about God's initiative, grace, and revelation.