Bible Strands
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?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King David addresses the LORD directly after hearing Nathan’s prophecy about an everlasting dynasty for his lineage. He speaks in the immediate aftermath of receiving this unprecedented covenantal revelation.
The words — The Hebrew phrase וַתִּקְטַן (vat-tiqtan) literally means "and it was small," conveying David's perception that the promise surpasses ordinary bounds. The particle גַּם (gam) translates as "also," marking the expansion of God's speech beyond the initial oracle.
The thread — The passage's theme of divine perspective transcending human calculation appears in Isaiah 55:8. The same Davidic covenant context is referenced in 1 Chronicles 17:17 and the preceding promise of rest in 2 Samuel 7:11.
Why it lands — The text states that God treats David's house differently from ordinary human patterns, then asks whether this is God's standard practice. It requires the reader to acknowledge that divine promises operate outside normal human expectations and demand acceptance without demanding full comprehension.
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
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?
Cross-references
- Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 17:17 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.
- 2 Samuel 7:11 and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you.
- Psalms 36:7 How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
- Numbers 16:9 Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them?
- Numbers 16:13 Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us?
- 2 Samuel 12:8 I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.
- Ephesians 2:7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 3:19 of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.