Bible Strands
2 Samuel 7:20
What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks this prayer to the Lord GOD in response to the covenant promise regarding his dynasty. He delivers these words immediately after God reveals that He will establish David's house forever.
The words — The Hebrew יָדַ֥עְתָּ (ya.Da'ata) literally means "you know," emphasizing direct divine awareness. The opening phrase וּ/מַה־ יּוֹסִ֥יף עוֹד לְ/דַבֵּר אֵלֶי/ךָ (u./mah- yo.Sif od le./da.Ber 'e.Lei./kha) translates to "and what more will David again speak to you?"
The thread — The theme of divine knowledge appears in Psalms 139:1, where David declares the Lord has searched and known him. The motif of God's intimate awareness of human character also surfaces in 1 Samuel 16:7, where the Lord looks at the heart rather than outward appearance.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment of God's complete knowledge before any further petition or praise. It requires the reader to recognize that divine awareness precedes human explanation.
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 what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant.
Cross-references
- 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.”
- 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.
- Psalms 139:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
- Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- John 2:25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
- Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
- 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.