1 Chronicles 17:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּקְטַ֨ן
And yet this was a small thing
H6994
וַתִּקְטַ֨ן
And yet this was a small thing
Strong's:
H6994
Word #:
1 of 15
to diminish, i.e., be (causatively, make) diminutive or (figuratively) of no account
בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
in thine eyes
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
in thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֱלֹהִֽים׃
God
H430
אֱלֹהִֽים׃
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 15
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
וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר
for thou hast also spoken
H1696
וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר
for thou hast also spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֵּֽית
house
H1004
בֵּֽית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְמֵֽרָח֑וֹק
for a great while to come
H7350
לְמֵֽרָח֑וֹק
for a great while to come
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
9 of 15
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
וּרְאִיתַ֗נִי
and hast regarded
H7200
וּרְאִיתַ֗נִי
and hast regarded
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הָֽאָדָ֛ם
of a man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֛ם
of a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
12 of 15
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה
of high degree
H4609
הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה
of high degree
Strong's:
H4609
Word #:
13 of 15
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
Historical Context
God's promise of an eternal dynasty (c. 995 BCE) exceeded David's request to build a house for God. This reversal - God building David's house instead - demonstrates that God's grace always exceeds our service. The distant future reference sustained messianic hope through Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that God's promises are 'a small thing in His eyes' - just the beginning - expand your faith?
- What would it mean to grasp how God regards you 'as one of high degree' through Christ's work, not your own?
Analysis & Commentary
David's amazed response to God's covenant promise: '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.' David recognizes that God's promises exceed even the extraordinary elevation from shepherd to king. The phrase 'for a great while to come' (l'merachok - for the distant future) suggests David glimpsed the eternal, messianic dimension of God's promise. God regarding him 'according to the estate of a man of high degree' shows grace treating David as royalty eternally, pointing to believers' elevation through union with Christ.