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2 Samuel 7:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 7:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And what can David say more unto thee? for thou knowest thy servant, O Lord Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And what can David say more unto thee? for thou knowest thy servant, O Lord Jehovah.
2 Samuel 7:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
18Then 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?
19And this was yet a small thing in thine eyes, O Lord Jehovah; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant`s house for a great while to come; and this [too] after the manner of men, O Lord Jehovah!
20And what can David say more unto thee? for thou knowest thy servant, O Lord Jehovah.
21For thy word`s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou wrought all this greatness, to make thy servant know it.
22Wherefore thou art great, O Jehovah God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem unto himself for a people, and to make him a name, and to do great things for you, and terrible things for thy land, before thy people, whom thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, [from] the nations and their gods?
← 2 Samuel 7:192 Samuel 7:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And what can David say more unto thee, etc.] In a way of selfabasement, or in thankfulness for such wonderful favours, or in prayer for more and other mercies; he wants words, as if he should say, to express his sense of his own nothingness and unworthiness, and to praise the Lord for all his benefits; and so large are the grants and promises made, that there is no room for him to ask for more: for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant; what a sense he has of his own meanness and vileness, what gratitude his heart is filled with, and what his wants and necessities are, which God only can supply, and does abundantly, even more than he is able to ask or think. The Targum is, “and thou hast…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“what can David say more unto thee?--that is, my obligations are greater than I can express. Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 8”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“David say - Either in a way of gratitude and praise, words cannot express my obligations to thee, nor my sense of these obligations: Or in a way of prayer. What can I ask of thee more than thou hast freely done? Thou knowest - Thou knowest my deep sense of thy favours, and my obligations to thee. And my condition and necessities, what I do or may need hereafter; and as thou knowest this, so I doubt not thou wilt supply me. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 7:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:20 You know what your servant is really like: God made his promises to David with full knowledge that David had both strengths and weaknesses.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“knowest: Gen 18:19; Sa1 16:7; Psa 139:1; Joh 2:25, Joh 21:17; Heb 4:13; Rev 2:23 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 7:21”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification