2 Samuel 7:20

20 what therefore may David add yet, that he speak to thee? (and so what can I say to thee?) For thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant;

2 Samuel 7:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 7:20

And what can David say more unto thee
In a way of self-abasement, or in thankfulness for such wonderful favours, or in prayer for more and other mercies; he wants words, as if he should say, to express his sense of his own nothingness and unworthiness, and to praise the Lord for all his benefits; and so large are the grants and promises made, that there is no room for him to ask for more:

for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant;
what a sense he has of his own meanness and vileness, what gratitude his heart is filled with, and what his wants and necessities are, which God only can supply, and does abundantly, even more than he is able to ask or think. The Targum is,

``and thou hast performed the petition of thy servant, O Lord God.''

2 Samuel 7:20 In-Context

18 Forsooth David the king entered into the tabernacle, and he sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19 But also this is seen (as but a) little (thing) in thy sight, my Lord God; no but (that) thou shouldest speak also of the house of thy servant into long time. For this is the law of Adam, Lord God (For this is the law of men, or people's lot, O Lord God);
20 what therefore may David add yet, that he speak to thee? (and so what can I say to thee?) For thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant;
21 thou hast done all these great things, for thy word, and by thine heart (for thy word's sake, and according to thy heart), so that thou madest those known to thy servant.
22 Therefore, Lord God, thou art made great, for none is like thee, nor there is no God except thee, in all things which we have heard with our ears. (And so, Lord God, thou art truly great, and from everything that we have heard with our ears, no one is like thee, nor is there any God except thee.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.