Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 17:18
What more can David say to You for honoring Your servant? For You know Your servant,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks directly to God, responding immediately after the Lord reveals the future of his dynasty and regards him as a man of distinction.
The words — יּוֹסִ֨יף (yo.Sif) means "will he add," and לְ/כָב֣וֹד (le/kha.Vod) translates to "for honor," structuring David’s rhetorical question around God’s prior act of honoring him.
The thread — The identical phrasing and rhetorical structure appear in 2 Samuel 7:20, preserving the same acknowledgment of divine initiative.
Why it lands — The text states that human speech cannot add to God’s prior knowledge or action, requiring the reader to acknowledge divine sovereignty rather than rely on human argument.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- 2 Samuel 7:20 What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD.
- Psalms 139:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
- John 21:17 Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- Revelation 2:23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.