1 Chronicles 17:1

¶ Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains.

Now it came to pass, as David {H1732} sat {H3427} in his house {H1004}, that David {H1732} said {H559} to Nathan {H5416} the prophet {H5030}, Lo, I dwell {H3427} in an house {H1004} of cedars {H730}, but the ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068} remaineth under curtains {H3407}.

After David had been living in his palace awhile, he said to Natan the prophet, "Here, I'm living in a cedar-wood palace; but the ark for the covenant of ADONAI is kept under a tent!"

After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah dwelleth under curtains.

1 Chronicles 17:1 introduces us to King David's settled reign and his heartfelt desire to honor God. Having established Jerusalem as his capital and built a magnificent palace for himself, David observes the humble dwelling of the Ark of the Covenant, the central symbol of God's presence among His people.

Context

This verse opens a pivotal chapter in David's life and Israel's history. After years of warfare and establishing his kingdom, King David finds himself dwelling in a luxurious "house of cedars"—a lavish palace built with expensive cedar wood, likely imported from Lebanon. In stark contrast, the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's tangible presence and the very heart of Israel's worship, remained in a temporary tent structure, the Tabernacle, reminiscent of Israel's wilderness wanderings. David's observation here reveals his deep reverence for God and his desire to provide a more permanent and fitting dwelling place for the Ark, setting the stage for the significant divine promises that follow.

Key Themes

  • Reverence and Gratitude: David's discomfort with his own opulent dwelling while God's presence resided in a tent highlights his profound respect and gratitude towards the LORD. It wasn't a command from God, but a desire born from a worshipping heart.
  • Desire to Honor God: This verse beautifully captures a king's sincere wish to give God the very best, reflecting a heart aligned with divine priorities.
  • God's Sovereignty: While David's intention is noble, the subsequent narrative in 1 Chronicles 17:3-14 reveals that God has different plans for building His "house" and for David's legacy, demonstrating God's ultimate control over human endeavors.

Linguistic Insights

  • "House of cedars": The phrase `bayith 'arzîm` in Hebrew literally means "house of cedars," emphasizing the grandeur and permanence of David's palace. Cedar wood was a prized and expensive building material, signifying wealth and royal status.
  • "Ark of the covenant of the LORD": The Hebrew `aron habberith Yahweh` (אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה) signifies the chest containing the tablets of the Law, symbolizing God's covenant relationship with Israel and His presence in their midst. It was the most sacred object in Israelite worship.
  • "Under curtains": This refers to the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary made of fabric curtains, which had served as God's dwelling place since the Exodus. This humble and mobile structure stood in stark contrast to David's newly built, permanent palace.

Practical Application

David's initiative teaches us about genuine devotion. It's not about being commanded to serve, but about a heart that desires to give its best to God out of love and gratitude. While God didn't permit David to build the physical temple (that task was reserved for his son, Solomon), David's desire was honored, leading to the establishment of the enduring Davidic Covenant. This passage encourages us to examine our own lives: do we prioritize our comfort and luxury over our commitment to God's work? It reminds us that our intentions matter greatly to God, even if His plans for us are different from our own.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:1

    ¶ And [David] made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:5

    For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from [one] tabernacle [to another].

  • 2 Chronicles 6:7

    Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:9

    Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:29

    Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

  • 1 Chronicles 14:1

    ¶ Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

  • Daniel 4:29

    At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
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