1 Chronicles 17:17
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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!

English Standard Version
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!

Berean Standard Bible
And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant and have regarded me as a man of great distinction, O LORD God.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
This was a small thing in Your eyes, God; but You have spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have viewed me according to the standard of a person of high degree, LORD God.

NASB 1995
“This was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; but You have spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the standard of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

NASB 1977
“And this was a small thing in Thine eyes, O God; but Thou hast spoken of Thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the standard of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; but You have spoken of the house of Your slave concerning the distant future, and have regarded me according to the standard of a man of high degree, O Yahweh God.

Amplified Bible
This was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; but You have spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the standard and estate of a man of high degree (prominence), O LORD God.

Christian Standard Bible
This was a little thing to you, God, for you have spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future. You regard me as a man of distinction, LORD God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This was a little thing to You, God, for You have spoken about Your servant’s house in the distant future. You regard me as a man of distinction, LORD God.

American Standard Version
And this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; but thou hast 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 Jehovah God.

Contemporary English Version
and yet you have promised to do even more for my descendants. You are treating me as if I am a very important person.

English Revised Version
And this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; but thou hast 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
And this you consider to be a small act, God. You've spoken about the distant future of my house. LORD God, you've shown me the generation of the great man.

Good News Translation
Yet now you are doing even more; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come, and you, LORD God, are already treating me like someone great.

International Standard Version
Furthermore, this is a small thing to you, God, and yet you have spoken concerning your servant's household for a great while to come, and you have seen in me the fulfillment of man's purpose, LORD God.

Majority Standard Bible
And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant and have regarded me as a man of great distinction, O LORD God.

NET Bible
And you did not stop there, O God! You have also spoken about the future of your servant's family. You have revealed to me what men long to know, O LORD God.

New Heart English Bible
This was a small thing in your eyes, God, but you have spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and you have let me look upon the generation of humankind to come, LORD God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And yet this was a small thing in thy 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.

World English Bible
This was a small thing in your eyes, O God, but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, Yahweh God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this is small in Your eyes, O God, and You speak concerning the house of Your servant far off, and have seen me as a type of the man who is on high, O YHWH God!

Young's Literal Translation
And this is small in Thine eyes, O God, and Thou speakest concerning the house of thy servant afar off, and hast seen me as a type of the man who is on high, O Jehovah God!

Smith's Literal Translation
And this will be small in thine eyes, O God; and thou wilt speak upon the house of thy servant to far off, and thou sawest me according to the manner of the man of the ascent, O Jehovah God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But even this hath seemed little in thy sight, and therefore thou hast also spoken concerning the house of thy servant for the time to come: and best made me remarkable above all men, O Lord God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But even this has seemed little in your sight, and therefore you have also spoken about the house of your servant even for the future. And you have made me a spectacle above all men, O Lord God.

New American Bible
And yet, even this is too little in your sight, O God! For you have made a promise regarding your servant’s house reaching into the future, and you have looked on me as henceforth the most notable of men, LORD God.

New Revised Standard Version
And even this was a small thing in your sight, O God; you have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come. You regard me as someone of high rank, O LORD God!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O LORD God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come; for all the men who worship thee with all their heart, thou bringest out of the darkness into the light, O LORD God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this is a small thing in your eyes, LORD Almighty, for you have spoken about the house of your Servant from before us, and all the children of men who do your worship with all their heart you bring forth from darkness to light, LORD of LORDS!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And this was a small thing in Thine eyes, O God; but Thou hast spoken of Thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me after the manner of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these things were little in thy sight, O God: thou hast also spoken concerning the house of thy servant for a long time to come, and thou hast looked upon me as a man looks upon his fellow, and hast exalted me, O Lord God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Prayer of Thanksgiving
16Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 17And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant and have regarded me as a man of great distinction, O LORD God. 18What more can David say to You for so honoring Your servant? For You know Your servant,…

Cross References
2 Samuel 7:19
And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, You have also spoken about the future of the house of Your servant. Is this Your custom with man, O Lord GOD?

2 Samuel 7:18
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

2 Samuel 7:20-21
What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD. / For the sake of Your word and according to Your own heart, You have accomplished this great thing and revealed it to Your servant.

Psalm 8:4
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Psalm 144:3
O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him?

2 Samuel 23:5
Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire?

1 Kings 8:25
Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’

1 Kings 9:5
then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Jeremiah 33:17
For this is what the LORD says: David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,

Acts 13:34
In fact, God raised Him from the dead, never to see decay. As He has said: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Luke 1:68-69
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. / He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

Romans 1:3
regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,

Hebrews 1:5
For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?


Treasury of Scripture

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

a small thing

1 Chronicles 17:7,8
Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: …

2 Samuel 7:19
And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?

2 Samuel 12:8
And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

thou hast

1 Chronicles 17:11-15
And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom…

Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

hast regarded

1 Samuel 17:8
And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

1 Kings 3:13
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: …

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Degree Estate Eyes Great High House Manner Regarded Servant's Small Standard
1 Chronicles 17
1. Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God a house
3. after by the word of God forbids him
11. He promises him blessings and benefits in his seed
16. David's prayer and thanksgiving














And as if this were not enough in Your sight, O God
This phrase reflects David's humility and awe at God's graciousness. The Hebrew word for "sight" is "ayin," which often denotes perception or understanding. David acknowledges that God's blessings are beyond what he could have imagined or deserved. This humility is a recurring theme in David's life, showing his recognition of God's sovereignty and grace. Historically, this moment is significant as it follows God's promise to establish David's dynasty, a pivotal point in Israel's history.

You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant
The "house" here refers to David's dynasty. The Hebrew word "bayit" can mean both a physical house and a lineage or dynasty. God's promise to David is not just for his immediate family but for a lasting legacy, culminating in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, from David's line. This promise is a cornerstone of the Davidic Covenant, which is central to the biblical narrative of redemption.

You have regarded me as a man of great distinction
The phrase "man of great distinction" in Hebrew is "torah ha'adam ha'aliyah," which can be translated as "a man of high rank" or "a man of the highest order." This reflects God's elevation of David from a shepherd boy to the king of Israel. It underscores the biblical principle that God exalts the humble and uses the least likely individuals to fulfill His purposes. This divine favor is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign choice.

O LORD God
The use of "LORD" (YHWH) and "God" (Elohim) together emphasizes both the covenantal and universal aspects of God's character. "YHWH" is the personal name of God, denoting His faithfulness and covenant relationship with Israel. "Elohim" highlights His power and sovereignty over all creation. This duality in God's nature assures David of the certainty and magnitude of God's promises. It is a reminder of the intimate yet powerful relationship believers have with God, who is both personal and transcendent.

(17) And yet.--Samuel has the word here supplied in italics. David says, "My unlooked-for exaltation was not enough: thou hast also revealed to me the far future of my offspring."

O God.--Here and at the end of the verse Samuel again has "my Lord, Jehovah."

Also.--Samuel has this word in the text.

And hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree.--The Hebrew is obscure. Samuel has simply, "and this [is] the law of man, my Lord Jehovah." The word "law" (tor?h) has been supposed to mean manner or custom in this place, but it is not used in that sense elsewhere. Its strict sense is teaching. (Comp. Isaiah 8:16; Isaiah 8:20, where the oracles delivered to the prophet are called tor?h.) The rendering therefore is, and this (thy gracious revelation) is a lesson to mankind. Our text demands one slight alteration, in accordance with this. Read tor?h for tor, and then we may translate: "and thou regardest me (LXX., ???????: comp. Luke 1:48) like man's teaching (Psalm 32:8) that bringeth up (same verb, Ezekiel 19:2), O Lord God;" that is to say, Thy revelation is a part of my moral discipline, like the instruction which men give their children. David was not allowed to build the Temple, which was so far a check; but encouragement was added to the prohibition by the wisdom of his heavenly Teacher. If we might assume the other sense of tor?h, we might render: and thou regardest me after the manner of men that exalteth, that is, as human benefactors help on those whom they favour. The old versions give no help. . . .

Verse 17. - David here makes a clear sad very just difference between all that had been done for him, and the very great prospect now in addition put before him: Thou... hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree; i.e. thou hast treated me, or dealt with me, in this promise as though [ had been of high rank indeed. The parallel reading is very concise (2 Samuel 7:19), and perhaps somewhat obscure, "And is this the manner [or, 'law'] of man?" or, "And this is to be a law of man," i.e. this continuity of a great while to come. Elliptical as this reading may seem, there is no real difficulty in feeling its essential harmony with the passage before us. David's unfeigned surprise and joy in the "great while to come" nature of the promises made to him and his house overpower all else in his estimation. It is, indeed, a most opportune emphasis that he lays upon this element of the full promise, and accords exceptionally well with our later knowledge and brighter light. Our Authorized Version rendering throws out sufficiently this surprise, and gives not inadequately the drift of the passage. The continuity and exaltedness of the promise, which was only fully realized in the greater Son of David, the Christ, might well astonish David.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And as if this
זֹ֤את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

was a small thing
וַתִּקְטַ֨ן (wat·tiq·ṭan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6994: To diminish, be, diminutive, of no account

in Your eyes,
בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

O God,
אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

You have spoken
וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר (wat·tə·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

about
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the future
לְמֵרָח֑וֹק (lə·mê·rā·ḥō·wq)
Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

of the house
בֵּֽית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Your servant
עַבְדְּךָ֖ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and have regarded me
וּרְאִיתַ֗נִי (ū·rə·’î·ṯa·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

as a man
הָאָדָ֛ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

of great distinction,
הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה (ham·ma·‘ă·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

O LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

God.
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 17:17 This was a small thing in your (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 17:16
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