1 Chronicles 17:6

KJV

Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wheresoever I have walked {H1980} with all Israel {H3478}, spake {H1696} I a word {H1697} to any {H259} of the judges {H8199} of Israel {H3478}, whom I commanded {H6680} to feed {H7462} my people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Why have ye not built {H1129} me an house {H1004} of cedars {H730}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Everywhere I traveled with all Isra'el, did I ever speak a word to any of the judges of Isra'el, whom I ordered to shepherd my people Isra'el, asking, "Why haven't you built me a cedar-wood house?"'

Berean Standard Bible

In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

American Standard Version

In all places wherein I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of cedar?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Chronicles 17:6, God, speaking through the prophet Nathan, responds to King David's earnest desire to construct a magnificent temple. This verse presents a rhetorical question from the Almighty, emphasizing that throughout Israel's history, from their wilderness wanderings to David's established reign, He never issued a command to any of the leaders, including the judges appointed to shepherd His people, to build a permanent "house of cedars" for Him. It profoundly underscores God's dynamic and nomadic presence with His people in the Tabernacle, highlighting His consistent priority on the relational well-being and pastoral care of His flock over architectural grandeur or fixed structures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component of God's direct message to King David, conveyed by the prophet Nathan, as recorded in [1 Chronicles 17:3-14](/1_chronicles/17-3-14 "1 Chronicles 17:3-14 - God's Covenant with David"). David had expressed a heartfelt desire to construct a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, noting the incongruity of himself, a king, residing in a splendid "house of cedars" while God's presence was housed merely within curtains ([1 Chronicles 17:1](/1_chronicles/17-1 "1 Chronicles 17:1 - David's Desire to Build a Temple for God")). God's response, commencing in [1 Chronicles 17:4](/1_chronicles/17-4 "1 Chronicles 17:4 - God's Message to David Through Nathan"), corrects Nathan's initial approval and unveils God's sovereign plan. Verse 6, alongside [1 Chronicles 17:5](/1_chronicles/17-5 "1 Chronicles 17:5 - God's Dwelling in a Tent"), serves as a historical argument, asserting God's consistent mobility and His dwelling in a tent, never having commanded a fixed temple from any previous leader. This historical precedent then sets the stage for God's subsequent covenant promise to David, which includes the significant detail that the temple would be built by David's son, Solomon ([1 Chronicles 17:11-12](/1_chronicles/17-11-12 "1 Chronicles 17:11-12 - God's Promise Regarding Solomon Building the Temple")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical span referenced in this verse covers the period from the Exodus through the era of the Judges and the early monarchy. For centuries, God's dwelling among Israel was the Tabernacle, a portable tent sanctuary meticulously designed according to divine instructions ([Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8-9 "Exodus 25:8-9 - Command to Build the Tabernacle")). This mobile structure powerfully symbolized God's journeying alongside His people through the wilderness and into the Promised Land, emphasizing His dynamic, immanent, and unconfined presence. In stark contrast, ancient Near Eastern cultures typically erected grand, permanent temples for their deities, which often served as symbols of the ruling monarch's power, stability, and piety. David's aspiration to build a "house of cedars" for God was thus influenced by contemporary regal practices and a natural human impulse to honor God with the finest, yet it did not originate from a divine command. The "judges of Israel" refer to the series of charismatic leaders whom God raised up after Joshua's death to deliver and govern Israel during a turbulent period of tribal confederacy, preceding the establishment of the monarchy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational theological themes. It highlights **Divine Initiative vs. Human Desire**, demonstrating that God's sovereign plans and perfect timing always supersede human aspirations, no matter how sincere or well-intentioned. It underscores **God's Immanence and Unconfined Presence**, revealing that God is not limited or contained by human-made structures but is dynamically present with His people wherever they go, emphasizing relationship over edifice. The specific mention of "judges... whom I commanded to feed my people" emphasizes the profound theme of **Shepherd Leadership**, revealing God's primary concern for the comprehensive pastoral care and holistic well-being of His flock through His appointed human instruments. Finally, it reinforces God's **Sovereignty and Covenant Faithfulness**, as His historical actions and future promises (as meticulously detailed in the broader [1 Chronicles 17](/1_chronicles/17 "1 Chronicles 17 - God's Covenant with David") and its parallel account in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - God's Covenant with David")) are always perfectly aligned with His overarching redemptive plan, not merely human architectural ambitions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **walked (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies movement, journeying, and active presence. When God declares, "Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel," it conveys His continuous, intimate, and dynamic companionship with His people throughout their entire history, from the wilderness wanderings to their settlement in the land. It emphasizes His immanence and personal involvement, standing in stark contrast to the static nature of a fixed temple. This word implies a relational and participatory God who moves with His people, rather than remaining in a stationary shrine.
* **feed (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root, literally means "to tend a flock" or "to pasture it." In the context of leadership, it encompasses a comprehensive range of responsibilities: guiding, protecting, providing for, nurturing, and caring for a flock. God's command to the judges "to feed my people" highlights that their primary divine mandate was not to engage in architectural construction, but to provide holistic care and leadership, mirroring God's own shepherding of Israel. It speaks to the spiritual, physical, and judicial well-being of the nation.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This term, often implying a dwelling or structure, is used here in conjunction with "cedars" (Hebrew, _ʼerez'_), referring to a grand, permanent palace or temple constructed from cedar wood. Cedar was a highly valued and durable material, often imported from Lebanon, signifying opulence and permanence. This "house of cedars" stands in stark contrast to the portable Tabernacle ("curtains" in [1 Chronicles 17:1](/1_chronicles/17-1 "1 Chronicles 17:1 - David's Desire to Build a Temple")). The rhetorical question about not building such a house emphatically conveys that God never desired or commanded a luxurious, fixed dwelling, especially one built by human hands, as His presence was not contingent on such structures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel":** This opening clause establishes God's historical mode of presence and interaction with His people. It signifies a continuous, active, and mobile companionship from the time of the Exodus through the period of the judges and into David's reign. God was not confined to a single geographical location but journeyed intimately with Israel, demonstrating His unwavering commitment, personal involvement, and immanence throughout their national story.
* **"spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel":** This is the core of God's rhetorical question, serving as a powerful assertion that He never issued a command or even expressed a desire for a permanent temple. The "judges of Israel" represent the divinely appointed leaders who governed Israel before the establishment of the monarchy, underscoring that throughout a significant and formative period of Israel's history, God's dwelling was not a fixed structure, nor was its construction ever a priority He imposed upon His leaders.
* **"whom I commanded to feed my people":** This crucial parenthetical clause reveals God's true and consistent mandate for the leaders He raised up. Their primary responsibility was not architectural construction or monumental building projects, but the comprehensive pastoral care of His people. "To feed" implies guiding, protecting, providing for, nurturing, and ensuring the spiritual and physical well-being of the nation, highlighting God's enduring focus on His covenant relationship with Israel and their holistic welfare.
* **"saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?":** This rhetorical question emphatically communicates that the idea of building a grand, permanent temple did not originate with God. By posing it as a question that expects a resounding negative answer, God underscores that He never expressed a desire for such a structure, nor did He hold His leaders accountable for its absence. This directly challenges David's well-intentioned but ultimately human assumption that a permanent temple was a divine necessity or expectation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices that enhance its theological message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?" This question is not seeking information but is strategically designed to make a strong, undeniable point: God never commanded such a structure. It serves to emphasize God's historical non-demand and to gently but firmly correct David's well-intentioned but unbidden initiative. There is also clear **Contrast** at play, juxtaposing God's historical mode of "walking" and dwelling in a portable tent (implied from the broader context of [1 Chronicles 17:5](/1_chronicles/17-5 "1 Chronicles 17:5 - God Dwelling in a Tent")) with David's desire for a fixed, luxurious "house of cedars." This highlights the fundamental difference between God's priorities (relational presence and pastoral care) and human priorities (architectural grandeur and permanence). Furthermore, the phrase "wheresoever I have walked with all Israel" uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like movement and companionship to God, which serves to convey His intimate, dynamic, and active involvement in the lives of His people throughout their history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 17:6 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's nature and priorities. It reveals a God who is not confined to human-made structures, however magnificent or well-intentioned, but who actively and intimately "walks" with His people. His dwelling place is not primarily a building, but His dynamic presence among His chosen flock. This verse challenges the human tendency to equate spiritual devotion or divine honor with grand physical accomplishments, redirecting focus instead to the relational and pastoral care of God's people. God's command to "feed my people" underscores that true leadership, in His eyes, is defined by comprehensive care, guidance, and provision for the spiritual and physical well-being of the community, rather than by monumental construction projects. This principle transcends the Old Testament, pointing to a God whose primary concern is always His covenant relationship with humanity and their flourishing within that relationship.

* [2 Samuel 7:6-7](/2_samuel/7-6-7 "2 Samuel 7:6-7 - God's Historical Presence Without a Temple")
* [Isaiah 66:1-2](/isaiah/66-1-2 "Isaiah 66:1-2 - God's Dwelling is Not in Temples Made by Hands")
* [Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48-50 "Acts 7:48-50 - Stephen's Sermon on God Not Dwelling in Temples Made by Human Hands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound reminder that God's priorities often differ significantly from our own. While David, with noble and pious intentions, focused on building a grand physical structure for God, the Lord's consistent emphasis was on His dynamic presence with His people and the quality of their leadership and care. For believers today, this means understanding that God's dwelling is not primarily in church buildings, however beautiful or functional they may be, but fundamentally in the hearts of His people, the collective body of Christ. Our energy, resources, and efforts should therefore be primarily directed towards nurturing spiritual health, fostering genuine community, and engaging in the mission of "feeding" (caring for, teaching, discipling, and equipping) those God has entrusted to us. It encourages profound humility in our service, reminding us that our plans, even those seemingly for God's glory, must always align with His sovereign will and His revealed priorities, which are consistently centered on relationship and the holistic well-being of His beloved people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might our priorities today unintentionally mirror David's desire for grand structures, potentially overshadowing God's consistent focus on people and relationships?**
* **In what practical and profound ways can we "feed God's people" in our contemporary contexts, reflecting the comprehensive care God desired from the judges and leaders of Israel?**
* **How does understanding God's historical nomadic presence and unconfined nature challenge our assumptions about where and how God is truly present and worshipped in the modern world?**

### FAQ
**Why did God eventually allow Solomon to build the Temple if He never commanded one before?**

Answer: While God never commanded a temple *before* David's time, He did not forbid it for the future. In fact, following David's earnest desire, God revealed His own divine plan for a permanent temple to be built, but specifically by David's son, Solomon, not David himself ([1 Chronicles 17:11-12](/1_chronicles/17-11-12 "1 Chronicles 17:11-12 - God's Promise to David Regarding Solomon and the Temple")). This transition from a portable Tabernacle to a fixed Temple was part of God's unfolding plan for Israel as a settled kingdom, providing a central place for national worship, sacrifice, and the manifestation of His presence. The key distinction is that the initiative for the Temple's construction ultimately came from God's sovereign plan and timing, not solely from human desire or imposition. It was a divinely ordained development, signifying a new phase in God's covenant relationship with His people, not a human-driven project.

**What does "feed my people" mean in a broader sense for leadership?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _râʻâh_ (רָעָה), translated as "feed," means "to shepherd" or "to pasture." This implies a comprehensive leadership role that extends far beyond mere physical sustenance. For the judges and, by extension, all spiritual leaders throughout history, it encompasses: **Guidance** (leading the flock in the right paths, according to God's truth), **Protection** (defending against spiritual and physical dangers, false teaching, and harmful influences), **Provision** (ensuring their needs are met, both materially and spiritually, by facilitating access to God's word and resources), **Nurturing** (caring for the weak, healing the wounded, comforting the distressed), **Instruction** (teaching God's laws, statutes, and ways), and **Justice** (administering righteousness and equity among the people). It paints a holistic picture of self-sacrificial care and servant leadership that prioritizes the well-being and flourishing of the flock above all else, profoundly reflecting God's own character as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 17:6, with its profound emphasis on God's dynamic, nomadic presence and His desire for His people to be "fed" rather than for a fixed, human-built dwelling, finds its ultimate and most glorious Christ-centered fulfillment. The God who "walked with all Israel" in a tent ultimately "tabernacled" or "dwelt among us" (the Greek word `eskēnōsen` literally means "pitched his tent") in the person of Jesus Christ ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us")). Jesus is the supreme manifestation of God's immanent presence, not confined to a building but entering human history to be fully with His people. Furthermore, Jesus perfectly embodies the "shepherd" whom God commanded to "feed my people." He is the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") who willingly lays down His life for the sheep, providing spiritual nourishment, protection, and eternal life ([John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My Voice and Follow Me")). The New Testament reveals that the true "house of cedars"—the ultimate dwelling place for God's Spirit—is no longer a physical temple of stone, but the Church, the community of believers. Collectively, believers are the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple") and are being built together into a [holy temple in the Lord](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Believers as a Holy Temple in the Lord"). Thus, God's priority remains steadfastly on His people, now indwelt by His Spirit through Christ, rather than on physical structures, thereby fulfilling the ancient truth that His presence is dynamic, personal, and ultimately found in Christ and His redeemed body.

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

2 Samuel 7:7

In all [the places] wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

Revelation 2:1

¶ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Matthew 2:6

And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Numbers 10:33

And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.

Numbers 10:36

And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

Leviticus 26:11

And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.

Leviticus 26:12

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.