2 Samuel 7:18
New International Version
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

New Living Translation
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

English Standard Version
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

Berean Standard Bible
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

King James Bible
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

New King James Version
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?

New American Standard Bible
Then David the king came in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and who are the members of my household, that You have brought me this far?

NASB 1995
Then David the king 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?

NASB 1977
Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me this far?

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Amplified Bible
Then King David went in and sat [in prayer] before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house (family), that You have brought me this far?

Christian Standard Bible
Then King David went in, sat in the LORD’s presence, and said, Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then King David went in, sat in the LORD’s presence, and said, Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?

American Standard Version
Then David the king went in, and sat before Jehovah; and he said, Who am I, O Lord Jehovah, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?

Contemporary English Version
David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. Then he sat there and prayed: LORD All-Powerful, my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us,

English Revised Version
Then David the king went in, and sat before the LORD; and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King David went into the tent and sat in front of the LORD. "Who am I, Almighty LORD," he asked, "and why is my house so important that you have brought me this far?

Good News Translation
Then King David went into the Tent of the LORD's presence, sat down and prayed, "Sovereign LORD, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, nor is my family.

International Standard Version
Then King David went in to the presence of the LORD, sat down, and said: "Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this?

Majority Standard Bible
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

NET Bible
King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you should have brought me to this point?

New Heart English Bible
Then king David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

Webster's Bible Translation
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 thou hast brought me hitherto;

World English Bible
Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; and he said, “Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King David comes in and sits before YHWH, and says, “Who [am] I, Lord YHWH? And what [is] my house, that You have brought me here?

Young's Literal Translation
And king David cometh in and sitteth before Jehovah, and saith, 'Who am I, Lord Jehovah? and what my house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?

Smith's Literal Translation
And king David will come and sit before Jehovah, and say, Who am I Lord Jehovah? and who my house that thou broughtest me even to these?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David went in, and sat before the Lord, and said: Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then king David entered and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you would bring me to this point?

New American Bible
Then King David went in and sat in the LORD’s presence and said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you should have brought me so far?

New Revised Standard Version
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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 thou hast elevated me to this place?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King David came and sat before LORD JEHOVAH, and he said: “Who am I, LORD JEHOVAH God, and what is my household that you have brought me here?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then David the king went in, and sat before the LORD; and he said: 'Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me thus far?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And king David came in, and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord, my Lord, and what is my house, that thou hast loved me hitherto?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Prayer of Thanksgiving
18Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19And 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?…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 17:16
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Psalm 8:4
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Psalm 144:3
O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him?

1 Chronicles 29:14
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.

Genesis 32:10
I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

Exodus 3:11
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Judges 6:15
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”

1 Samuel 18:18
And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”

1 Samuel 9:21
Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”

Luke 1:43
And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Luke 1:48
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

Ephesians 3:8
Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Philippians 2:7
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Hebrews 2:6
But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Matthew 8:8
The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.


Treasury of Scripture

Then went king David 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 till now?

sat

1 Chronicles 17:16
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

Isaiah 37:14
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

Who am I

Genesis 32:10
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

Exodus 3:11
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Judges 6:15
And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

Jump to Previous
David Family Far Guide Hitherto House Sat Seat Sitteth Sovereign
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David Family Far Guide Hitherto House Sat Seat Sitteth Sovereign
2 Samuel 7
1. Nathan, first approving the purpose of David to build God a house
4. After by the word of God forbids him
12. God promises him benefits and blessings in his seed
18. David's prayer and thanksgiving














Then King David went in
This phrase marks a significant moment of transition and reflection for David. The Hebrew word for "went in" (בּוֹא, bo) suggests an intentional movement towards a sacred space, indicating David's desire to be in the presence of God. Historically, this act of entering into a place of worship or prayer was a common practice for seeking divine guidance or expressing gratitude. David's approach to God is both humble and reverent, setting an example for believers to seek God's presence earnestly.

sat before the LORD
The act of sitting before the LORD signifies a posture of humility and contemplation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting was often a position of learning and reflection, as opposed to standing, which was more common in prayer. This indicates that David is not only praying but also meditating on God's words and promises. The phrase "before the LORD" underscores the personal relationship David has with God, emphasizing the accessibility of God to those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

and said, 'Who am I, O Lord GOD
David's rhetorical question, "Who am I," reflects a deep sense of humility and awe. The Hebrew word for "Lord GOD" here is "Adonai Yahweh," a combination that highlights both the sovereignty and the covenantal faithfulness of God. David acknowledges his own unworthiness in light of God's greatness and grace. This humility is a key characteristic of a godly leader, recognizing that all achievements and blessings are ultimately from God.

and what is my house
The term "house" refers not only to David's immediate family but also to his dynasty and future lineage. In the context of 2 Samuel 7, God has just promised David an everlasting dynasty, which is a monumental covenant in biblical history. David's question underscores his amazement that God would choose his family for such a significant role in His divine plan. This reflects the biblical theme that God often chooses the humble and unlikely to fulfill His purposes.

that You have brought me this far?
The phrase "brought me this far" speaks to God's providential guidance and faithfulness throughout David's life. The Hebrew root for "brought" (בּוֹא, bo) is the same as "went in," creating a literary connection that emphasizes God's active role in David's journey. This acknowledgment of God's past faithfulness serves as a foundation for trusting Him with the future. It is a reminder to believers of the importance of gratitude and recognition of God's hand in their lives.

(18) Then went king David in, and sat.--As always at every important point in his life, David's first care is to take that which he has in his mind before the Lord. The place to which he went must be the tent he had pitched for the ark. Here he sat to meditate in God's presence upon the communication which had now been made to him, and then to offer his thanksgiving (2Samuel 7:18-21), praise (2Samuel 7:22-24), and prayer (2Samuel 7:25-29).

The Divine Name is here printed with the word GOD in small capitals. This is always done in the Authorised Version wherever it stands for JEHOVAH in the original. The same custom is also followed with the word LORD. Out of reverence for the name, Jehovah never has its own vowels in Hebrew, but is printed with those belonging to Lord, or in case this word also is used, then with those belonging to God.

Verse 18. - David... sat before the Lord. The word "sat" is usually explained by commentators as meaning "tarried." The rabbins give the word its ordinary meaning, and say that it was the privilege of kings to pray in a sitting posture. But we cannot possibly believe that kings at this early stage had established a special etiquette for observance in prayer, and the difficulty is merely imaginary. Because the Jews prayed standing, and we moderns pray kneeling, we both assume that to pray sitting was an irreverent act. It was not so, nor are we to think of David as sitting at ease in a chair. He sat upon the ground, as was the Oriental custom, with his feet doubled under him, and his head bent forward; and in this posture meditated upon Jehovah's message, and then poured out his thoughts. As it is expressly said that "he sat before Jehovah," the place must have been the outer court of the tabernacle. Who am I, O Lord Jehovah! In the Authorized Version Jehovah is rendered "God," because it has the vowels of the word Elohim; usually it is rendered "Lord," because the Masserites attached to it the vowels of Adonai, "lord," equivalent to Dominus. As Adonai here precedes Jehovah, the Massorites were driven from their usual practice, and were so superstitious as to suppose it more reverent to pronounce the name Elohim than that of Jehovah, to which the Jews attached magical powers. David's words are not so much a prayer as a meditation, full of thanksgiving, and even of wonder at the greatness of God's mercies to him. In it he first acknowledges his own unworthiness and the meanness of his father's house compared with the high dignity which God is bestowing upon him. For not only has he raised him to the kingly office, but promised him the continuance of his house "for a great while to come." Whether David understood as yet that he was now placed in the same position as Abraham of old, in that "in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed," is uncertain, and depends upon the interpretation put upon the following words. This only we may affirm, that whet he says in this place of his house remaining until a distant future falls far short of the meaning of the passages quoted above from the Psalms.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

went in,
וַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

sat
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and said,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

am I,
אָנֹכִ֞י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

O Lord
אֲדֹנָ֤י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,
יְהוִה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

and what
וּמִ֣י (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is my house,
בֵיתִ֔י (ḇê·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

You have brought me
הֲבִיאֹתַ֖נִי (hă·ḇî·’ō·ṯa·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

this far?
הֲלֹֽם׃ (hă·lōm)
Adverb
Strong's 1988: Hith-er


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OT History: 2 Samuel 7:18 Then David the king went (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 7:17
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