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2 Samuel 7:17–24
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” (v. 18).
Nathan the prophet is swift to bring God’s amazing words to David. Upon hearing them, the king goes and sits “before the Lord,” probably in the tent where the ark is housed. It is customary at this time to stand while praying, but perhaps David is humbling himself here, or perhaps he is simply so overwhelmed by what he has heard that he cannot stand. When he finally speaks, the words he utters certainly show that he is both humbled and stunned.
David begins by confessing his unworthiness to receive such blessings. Nothing in him, nothing in his lineage, comes close to qualifying him for such honor, and he knows it. He is conscious that God has brought him very far. And yet, David realizes that the things God has done for him hitherto are as nothing compared to what God is capable of doing or to what He actually has sworn to do. He then wonders aloud how he can thank God for His mercy or what more he could possibly ask of God. He notes that God knows him, that is, knows what is best for his needs and most fitting to fulfill his desires, and He has those things.
But David is well aware that it isn’t all about him. God has done these things, David says, in order to keep His covenant promises (” ‘for Your word’s sake’ “) to His people and to David himself. God has acted because of His love for His people. In behaving this way toward Israel, God has shown Himself to be great, David declares. There is none like Him; He alone is God. The Israelites have learned this great truth because of God’s gracious dealings with them. Of all the nations on the earth, God chose to redeem a people for Himself from Israel. He made them His people forever and became their God, revealing Himself to Abraham and the other patriarchs, and establishing His covenant with them.
And yet, it isn’t all about Israel either. Ultimately, it’s all about God. David says that God has done all of these great things in order ” ‘to make for Himself a name … before [His] people.’ ” God’s ultimate purpose in choosing Israel, delivering them from captivity, establishing them in Canaan, giving them a king, and laying plans for their future redemption is that He might reveal Himself and receive back worship, honor, and glory from His creatures.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Does your understanding of God’s grace to you leave you feeling overwhelmed and humbled? If not, perhaps you should pray for a deeper understanding of your sin. As you come to understand the depth of your offense against God, you will realize more fully how gracious and merciful He has been toward you.
For Further Study
- Lev. 26:44–45
- Deut. 30:1–6
- Isa. 53:6
- Rom. 5:8