1 Chronicles 17:16

Authorized King James Version

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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?

Original Language Analysis

הֲבִֽיאֹתַ֖נִי came H935
הֲבִֽיאֹתַ֖נִי came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ the king H4428
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 2 of 17
a king
דָּוִ֔יד And David H1732
דָּוִ֔יד And David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 3 of 17
david, the youngest son of jesse
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב and sat H3427
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב and sat
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 4 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 5 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֤ה Who am I O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה Who am I O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר and said H559
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 7 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
מִֽי H4310
מִֽי
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 8 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
אֲנִ֞י H589
אֲנִ֞י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 9 of 17
i
יְהוָ֤ה Who am I O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה Who am I O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִים֙ God H430
אֱלֹהִים֙ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וּמִ֣י H4310
וּמִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 12 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בֵיתִ֔י and what is mine house H1004
בֵיתִ֔י and what is mine house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 13 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֲבִֽיאֹתַ֖נִי came H935
הֲבִֽיאֹתַ֖נִי came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 15 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 16 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הֲלֹֽם׃ me hitherto H1988
הֲלֹֽם׃ me hitherto
Strong's: H1988
Word #: 17 of 17
hither

Analysis & Commentary

David's response 'Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?' exemplifies proper reception of grace - humble wonder rather than entitled presumption. The rhetorical questions acknowledge human unworthiness before divine favor. David's progression from shepherd to king came entirely by God's sovereign grace, not personal merit. This reflects the Reformed doctrine of election and unmerited favor. David's amazement at covenant promises mirrors believers' wonder at salvation in Christ - 'who am I that You would choose me?' This humble posture prepares hearts to receive greater revelation of God's grace.

Historical Context

David's humble origins - youngest son of a Bethlehem shepherd - made his elevation particularly remarkable. Ancient Near Eastern kings typically boasted of their ancestry and achievements, making David's self-abasement counter-cultural and theologically profound.

Questions for Reflection