1 Chronicles 17:2

KJV

Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that [is] in thine heart; for God [is] with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Nathan {H5416} said {H559} unto David {H1732}, Do {H6213} all that is in thine heart {H3824}; for God {H430} is with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Natan said to David, "Go, do everything that is in your heart, for God is with you."

Berean Standard Bible

And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

American Standard Version

And Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thy heart; for God is with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 17:2 captures the prophet Nathan's initial, well-intentioned affirmation of King David's desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant. David, dwelling in his new cedar palace, felt compelled to provide a more fitting dwelling for God than the existing tent. Nathan, perceiving David's pious heart and knowing God's favor upon him, immediately encouraged the king, believing God's presence with David would ensure the success of this noble undertaking. This verse sets the stage for a pivotal moment in Davidic history, where human initiative, no matter how devout, is soon superseded by divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very beginning of a crucial narrative in David's reign, immediately following his establishment in a splendid cedar palace while the Ark of the Covenant still resided in a tent (`/1_chronicles/17-1 "1 Chronicles 17:1 - David's Desire to Build a Temple"`). David's desire to build a "house" for God is deeply sincere, reflecting his devotion and gratitude. Nathan's immediate, seemingly positive response in `/1_chronicles/17-2 "1 Chronicles 17:2 - Nathan's Initial Affirmation"` serves as a dramatic setup for the divine intervention that follows. Crucially, this initial counsel from Nathan is presented as his own human judgment, not yet a direct prophetic word from the Lord, which arrives later that very night (`/1_chronicles/17-3 "1 Chronicles 17:3 - God's Word to Nathan"`). The Chronicler emphasizes God's ultimate sovereignty over human plans, even the most pious ones, establishing a theme of divine initiative over human ambition. This account closely parallels the narrative found in `/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - God's Covenant with David"`, highlighting its theological significance for both historical records.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in Israel's history, David had successfully consolidated his kingdom, conquered Jerusalem, and brought the Ark of the Covenant to the city, establishing it as the political and religious capital. The concept of a permanent dwelling for a deity was common in the ancient Near East, where grand temples symbolized the stability and power of the king and his god. For David, moving from a nomadic tent to a grand cedar palace underscored the incongruity of God's dwelling remaining in a tent. Building a temple was a natural expression of a king's piety and a means of solidifying national identity and worship. However, the unique nature of Israel's God meant that His "dwelling" was not confined to human structures, and His will often diverged from conventional human expectations, even those rooted in good intentions.

* **Key Themes:** The passage introduces several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights the tension between **human initiative and divine will**. David's noble ambition, though born of a pure heart, is shown to be subject to God's greater, often unexpected, plan. Secondly, the phrase "for God is with thee" underscores the theme of **God's enduring presence and favor** with David, a foundational aspect of the Davidic covenant. This divine presence, however, does not automatically validate every human endeavor. Thirdly, the narrative showcases **prophetic humility and correction**. Nathan, a true prophet, demonstrates a willingness to be corrected by God, illustrating that even spiritual leaders must continually seek and submit to God's specific revelation, rather than relying solely on their own wisdom or assumptions. This sets a precedent for discerning God's voice, as seen in passages like `/jeremiah/10-23 "Jeremiah 10:23 - The Way of Man is Not in Himself"`, where human understanding is insufficient without divine guidance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart (Hebrew, לֵבָב, _levav_):** In biblical thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being, encompassing intellect, will, and moral character. David's desire to build a temple stemmed from his innermost being, reflecting his sincere devotion, piety, and gratitude towards God. Nathan's affirmation of "all that is in thine heart" acknowledges the purity of David's intentions, even if the execution of those intentions would ultimately be redirected by God. It speaks to the integrity of David's faith.
* **God is with thee (Hebrew, אֱלֹהִים עִמְּךָ, _’ĕlōhîm ‘immĕkā_):** This phrase signifies God's active presence, favor, and blessing. It is a declaration of divine endorsement and support for David's reign and overall endeavors. Nathan's reasoning for affirming David's plan is rooted in this deep conviction that God's presence ensures success. While true that God was indeed with David, this specific application by Nathan to the temple-building project was based on human inference rather than direct divine revelation, a crucial distinction that the subsequent verses clarify.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Nathan said unto David":** This opening clause establishes the speaker and recipient, setting the scene for a direct, personal exchange between the king and his trusted prophet. It immediately signals a moment of counsel and decision-making within the royal court.
* **"Do all that [is] in thine heart;":** Nathan's counsel is an unqualified endorsement of David's inner desire. It reflects an immediate, positive response to David's expressed intention to build a house for God. This part of the verse highlights Nathan's perception of David's pure motives and his assumption that such a noble aspiration must align with God's will.
* **"for God [is] with thee.":** This is Nathan's rationale for his counsel. He attributes David's past successes and current favor to God's active presence and blessing in his life. Therefore, Nathan concludes that anything David desires to do, especially something as pious as building a temple, will be blessed by God. This reasoning, while seemingly sound from a human perspective, ultimately proves to be an incomplete understanding of God's specific will for this particular project.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices that contribute to its dramatic and theological impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Nathan's confident affirmation, based on his human understanding of God's favor, is immediately revealed to be contrary to God's actual, specific will in the very next verses. This creates a sense of **dramatic tension**, as the reader anticipates the inevitable divine correction that will follow. The verse also functions as **foreshadowing**, subtly hinting that while David's heart is pure and God is with him, the path forward will not be as straightforward as human logic might suggest, setting the stage for the revelation of God's different plan for the temple's construction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the tension between human good intentions and divine sovereignty. While David's desire to build God a house was commendable and born of a sincere heart, God's ways and timing often transcend human understanding and planning. Nathan's initial approval, though well-meaning, serves as a crucial reminder that even the most devout human counsel must be subjected to the ultimate authority of God's revealed will. It underscores that God's presence and favor do not automatically validate every human endeavor, but rather, His specific guidance is paramount. This narrative emphasizes that God's plans are perfect and often unfold in ways that challenge human expectations, ultimately bringing greater glory to His name.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - Man Plans, God Directs")
* [Jeremiah 10:23](/jeremiah/10-23 "Jeremiah 10:23 - The Way of Man is Not His Own")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 17:2 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine the source of our aspirations and plans, no matter how noble or spiritually inclined they may seem. While having a pure heart and good intentions is vital, they are not substitutes for diligently seeking and discerning God's specific will. Like Nathan, we might be tempted to assume God's approval based on general principles of His favor, but true wisdom lies in waiting for His clear direction. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and openness to divine redirection, understanding that God's "no" or "not yet" is not a rejection of our heart's desire but an invitation into His perfect timing and superior plan. It calls us to trust in God's sovereignty over our own best-laid plans, knowing that His ways are always higher and more perfect than our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What noble desires or plans do I currently hold that I assume are God's will?**
* **How do I discern between my good intentions and God's specific direction for my life or ministry?**
* **Am I truly open to God redirecting my path, even if it contradicts my initial convictions or the advice of others?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's timing and sovereignty more completely, rather than relying on my own assumptions of His presence?**

### FAQ

**Why did Nathan initially approve David's plan to build the temple?**

Answer: Nathan approved David's plan because he perceived the sincerity and piety of David's heart, and he knew that "God was with" David, blessing his reign and endeavors. His approval was based on human reasoning and a general understanding of God's favor upon the king, rather than a direct, specific word from the Lord. He assumed that such a noble and devout intention must align with God's will, a common human tendency to project our good desires onto God's perfect plan. This is clarified in `/1_chronicles/17-3 "1 Chronicles 17:3 - God's Word to Nathan"` when God corrects Nathan later that night.

**Does God's presence with a person mean automatic approval of all their plans and desires?**

Answer: No, as this passage clearly demonstrates. While God was indeed profoundly "with" David, blessing his reign and establishing his kingdom, His presence did not automatically validate every one of David's aspirations, no matter how well-intentioned. God's presence signifies His favor, guidance, and power, but His specific will often differs from human plans, even those born of sincere devotion. This narrative teaches that even when God is clearly with us, we must still seek His specific direction and be open to His redirection, as highlighted in `/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord"` and `/james/4-15 "James 4:15 - If the Lord Wills"`.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Nathan's initial counsel and God's subsequent redirection in 1 Chronicles 17:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's noble desire to build a physical house for God foreshadows the true "house" that God desires: a spiritual temple made of living stones, which is the Church (`/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones"`). While David was prevented from building the physical temple, God promised to build David a "house"—a lasting dynasty—through his offspring (`/2_samuel/7-11-16 "2 Samuel 7:11-16 - God's Covenant with David"`). This promise culminates in Jesus, the Son of David, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. Jesus, unlike David, perfectly aligns His will with the Father's, always doing "what pleases him" (`/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father"`). He is not only the foundation but also the builder of God's eternal dwelling, declaring, "I will build my church" (`/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church"`). Through Christ, God's presence is not merely "with us" but "in us" through the Holy Spirit (`/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Indwelling Spirit"`), establishing a new covenant where the temple is no longer a physical structure but the community of believers united in Him, the true `Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")`.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 28:2

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

1 Corinthians 13:9

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Joshua 9:14

And the men took of their victuals, and asked not [counsel] at the mouth of the LORD.

Luke 1:28

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 10:7

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, [that] thou do as occasion serve thee; for God [is] with thee.

Zechariah 8:23

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.