2 Samuel 7:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

Complete Jewish Bible:

the king said to Natan the prophet, "Here, I'm living in a cedar-wood palace; but the ark of God is kept in a tent!"

Berean Standard Bible:

he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

American Standard Version:

that the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

That the king^{H4428} said^{H559} unto Nathan^{H5416} the prophet^{H5030}, See^{H7200} now, I dwell^{H3427} in an house^{H1004} of cedar^{H730}, but the ark^{H727} of God^{H430} dwelleth^{H3427} within^{H8432} curtains^{H3407}.

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 7:2

2 Samuel 7:2 captures a significant moment in the history of Israel, reflecting the contrast between the royal and divine dwellings. The verse is part of a larger narrative where King David, having established himself in Jerusalem and built a palace of cedar, becomes acutely aware of the disparity between his luxurious accommodations and the humble tabernacle, a tent, which houses the Ark of the Covenant—a symbol of God's presence with His people.

In this verse, David expresses his concern to Nathan the prophet, highlighting the incongruity: while he resides in a grand and permanent structure, the Ark of God, the most sacred object in Israel, is still enshrined in temporary "curtains." This observation reveals David's sense of reverence and his desire to honor God by providing a more fitting and stable dwelling for the Ark. The historical context is crucial; it is a time of relative peace and prosperity for Israel, and David's intention to build a temple is a reflection of his gratitude and his wish to further solidify the centrality of Yahweh worship in the life of the nation.

The themes present in this verse include the tension between human and divine realms, the proper way to honor God, and the role of a king as not just a political leader but also a steward of religious life. David's dialogue with Nathan sets the stage for the subsequent divine response, where God affirms David's desire for a temple but also establishes the Davidic covenant, a key theological promise in the Bible that God will establish David's dynasty and ultimately fulfill His promises through a future descendant, which Christians interpret as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5416
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתָן
   Transliteration: Nâthân
   Pronunciation: naw-thawn'
   Description: from נָתַן; given; Nathan, the name of five Israelites; Nathan.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5030
   There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָבִיא
   Transliteration: nâbîyʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-bee'
   Description: from נָבָא; a prophet or (generally) inspired man; prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
8. Strong's Number: H730
   There are 466 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶז
   Transliteration: ʼerez
   Pronunciation: eh-rez'
   Description: from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree).
   
9. Strong's Number: H727
   There are 467 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼârôwn
   Pronunciation: aw-rone'
   Description: or אָרֹן; from אָרָה (in the sense of gathering); a box; ark, chest, coffin.
   
10. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8432
    There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
    Transliteration: tâvek
    Pronunciation: taw'-vek
    Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).
    
12. Strong's Number: H3407
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְרִיעָה
    Transliteration: yᵉrîyʻâh
    Pronunciation: yer-ee-aw'
    Description: from יָרַע; a hanging (as tremulous); curtain.