Acts 7:46

KJV

Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3739} found {G2147} favour {G5485} before {G1799} God {G2316}, and {G2532} desired {G154} to find {G2147} a tabernacle {G4638} for the God {G2316} of Jacob {G2384}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He enjoyed God’s favor and asked if he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Ya‘akov

Berean Standard Bible

who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

American Standard Version

who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:46, part of Stephen's comprehensive defense before the Sanhedrin, highlights King David's character and his earnest desire to build a permanent dwelling place for the Lord. Stephen recounts how David, having received divine favor, sought to establish a "tabernacle" – a term here used metaphorically for a temple – for the God of Jacob, thereby setting the stage for the construction of the Jerusalem Temple by his son, Solomon, while simultaneously underscoring God's ultimate transcendence of human-made structures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:46 is embedded within Stephen's lengthy and provocative speech, which spans from [Acts 7:2](/acts/7-2 "Stephen's Speech Begins") to [Acts 7:53](/acts/7-53 "Stephen's Concluding Rebuke"). Stephen, accused of speaking against the Temple and the Law, strategically recounts Israel's history to demonstrate God's consistent presence and activity outside of the Jerusalem Temple, and Israel's recurrent resistance to God's prophets and plan. He traces God's dwelling from Abraham's nomadic life, through the wilderness Tabernacle ([Acts 7:44-45](/acts/7-44-45 "The Tabernacle of Witness")), to David's desire for a permanent structure. By emphasizing David's heart and God's favor, Stephen sets up his crucial theological point in [Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48-50 "God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands"), namely, that God cannot be contained or limited by human-built structures, a direct challenge to the Sanhedrin's reverence for the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The desire for a permanent temple in Jerusalem emerged as Israel transitioned from a nomadic, tribal confederacy to a settled monarchy. The Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, had served as the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people since the Exodus ([Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8-9 "Instructions for the Tabernacle")). With David's establishment of Jerusalem as the political and religious capital, the idea of a fixed dwelling for God gained prominence. David's desire, expressed in [2 Samuel 7:1-3](/2_samuel/7-1-3 "David's Desire to Build a House for God") and [1 Chronicles 17:1-2](/1_chronicles/17-1-2 "Nathan's Initial Approval"), reflected a natural human inclination to honor God with the most magnificent structure possible, fitting for the King of kings. This period marked a significant shift in Israelite religious practice and national identity, centralizing worship in a way that had not been possible during the wilderness wanderings or the period of the Judges.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's progressive revelation regarding His dwelling place**. From the mobile Tabernacle to the desire for a fixed Temple, God's presence among His people evolves, culminating in the spiritual indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")) and the Church ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "The Church as a Holy Temple")). Secondly, it underscores **David's unique character and divine favor**. David is consistently presented in Scripture as "a man after God's own heart" ([Acts 13:22](/acts/13-22 "David, a Man After God's Own Heart")), and his desire to build for God exemplifies his devotion, even though God ultimately chose Solomon to complete the task ([2 Samuel 7:12-13](/2_samuel/7-12-13 "God's Covenant with David")). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's transcendence over human constructs**, a point Stephen will explicitly make later in his speech, challenging the notion that God is confined to any physical building.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb signifies to "find," "get," or "obtain." In the context of "found favour," it suggests that David did not earn or create this favor, but rather "obtained" or "received" it as a gift from God. It implies a divine initiative and bestowal of grace upon David, rather than a human achievement.
* **favour (Greek, _cháris'_):** This term denotes "graciousness," "divine influence upon the heart," and its "reflection in the life." It speaks of God's unmerited kindness and benevolent disposition towards David. David's "favor" before God was not merely a passive state but an active relationship marked by God's blessing and David's responsive devotion, which led to his desire to honor God.
* **desired (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This verb means "to ask," "beg," "crave," or "require." It conveys the intensity and earnestness of David's longing. His desire to build a dwelling for God was not a fleeting thought but a deep, heartfelt aspiration, demonstrating his profound reverence and commitment to the Lord.
* **tabernacle (Greek, _skḗnōma'_):** While literally meaning "an encampment" or "dwelling place," here it is used metaphorically for the Temple. Stephen's choice of this word is significant. It links David's desire to the earlier, mobile Tabernacle, subtly reminding his audience that God's presence was not always fixed in a stone building, and foreshadowing his argument that God's true dwelling is not confined to human constructions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who found favour before God":** This clause establishes David's unique standing with the Almighty. It emphasizes that David's relationship with God was marked by divine approval and grace. This favor was the foundation for David's subsequent actions and desires, highlighting that his spiritual initiatives stemmed from a heart already blessed and aligned with God's will.
* **"and desired to find a tabernacle":** This phrase reveals the specific manifestation of David's favored status and devotion. His earnest longing was to provide a permanent, honorable dwelling place for the "God of Jacob." The use of "tabernacle" (skḗnōma) rather than "temple" (hierón) by Stephen is deliberate, drawing a conceptual link back to the portable sanctuary of Moses, and perhaps subtly implying that God's dwelling is not necessarily limited to a fixed, stone structure.
* **"for the God of Jacob":** This concluding phrase identifies the specific deity David sought to honor. "The God of Jacob" is a covenantal title, linking back to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant people. David's desire was not for any god, but for the one true God who had historically revealed Himself to Israel and established a covenant relationship with them.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's speech, including [Acts 7:46](/acts/7-46 "David's Desire for a Tabernacle"), employs several literary devices. **Allusion** is prominent, as the verse directly alludes to Old Testament accounts of David's desire to build a house for God, particularly [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "God's Covenant with David") and [1 Chronicles 17](/1_chronicles/17 "David's Desire to Build the Temple"). This serves to validate Stephen's historical narrative and connect David's actions to God's broader plan. The use of "tabernacle" (skḗnōma) instead of "temple" (hierón) functions as **Symbolism** and **Intertextuality**. It symbolically links the proposed permanent structure to the earlier, mobile sanctuary, suggesting a continuity in God's presence while also subtly foreshadowing Stephen's later argument that God's dwelling is not confined to physical buildings. This choice of word also creates **Irony**, as Stephen is accused of speaking against the Temple, yet he highlights David's desire for a dwelling for God, implying that the *spirit* of David's devotion is what matters, not merely the physical structure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:46 serves as a pivotal point in Stephen's argument, connecting David's righteous desire to God's ultimate plan for dwelling among His people. Theologically, it affirms God's favor upon David, not as a reward for merit, but as a testament to God's gracious choice and David's responsive heart. This verse also highlights the tension between human aspirations to honor God with grand structures and God's transcendent nature, which cannot be contained by anything made by human hands. While David's desire was noble and divinely inspired, it ultimately pointed to a deeper truth: God seeks not merely a building, but a people with whom to dwell, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant.

* [2 Samuel 7:1-17](/2_samuel/7-1-17 "God's Covenant with David and Promise of a House")
* [1 Chronicles 17:1-15](/1_chronicles/17-1-15 "David's Desire to Build the Temple")
* [Psalm 132:1-5](/psalm/132-1-5 "David's Oath to Find a Dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:46 invites us to reflect on the nature of our own devotion and desires for God. David, a man "after God's own heart," expressed his love and reverence by desiring to build a magnificent dwelling for the Lord. This wasn't merely about constructing a building, but about honoring God with the very best and establishing a visible center for worship. For us today, while we are not called to build physical temples of stone, the principle remains: God delights in a heart that genuinely desires to honor Him, to make a place for His presence, and to manifest His glory in the world. This can take many forms: dedicating our time, talents, and resources to His service; cultivating a personal space for worship and communion; or striving to make our lives and communities places where God's presence is evident and celebrated. Our "tabernacle" today is less about bricks and mortar and more about a life consecrated to Christ, recognizing that God's favor enables and empowers our deepest spiritual longings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I "desire to find a tabernacle" for the God of Jacob in my own life today?**
* **How does David's "favor before God" encourage me to pursue a deeper relationship with the Lord?**
* **What practical steps can I take to make my daily life a more evident dwelling place for God's presence?**

### FAQ
**Why does Stephen emphasize David's desire for a "tabernacle" rather than a "temple"?**

Answer: Stephen's choice of the Greek word _skḗnōma_ (tabernacle/dwelling place) over _hierón_ (temple) is highly significant and intentional. It serves several purposes within his broader argument in [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Stephen's Speech"). Firstly, it draws a direct conceptual link to the earlier, mobile Tabernacle of Moses ([Acts 7:44](/acts/7-44 "The Tabernacle of Witness")), reminding his audience that God's presence was historically not confined to a fixed, permanent structure. Secondly, it subtly prepares his listeners for his climactic statement in [Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48-50 "God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands"), where he asserts that "the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands." By using "tabernacle," Stephen highlights the continuity of God's desire to dwell among His people, while simultaneously challenging the notion that the physical Jerusalem Temple was the exclusive or ultimate dwelling place of God, a point that was central to the charges against him. It underscores that God's presence is not limited by human architectural endeavors.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:46, with David's earnest desire to build a dwelling for the "God of Jacob," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David longed to provide a physical structure for God's presence, the New Testament reveals that God's ultimate dwelling among humanity is not a building, but a person: Jesus Christ. John's Gospel declares that "the Word became flesh and [tabernacled] among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), using a Greek word (_eskēnōsen_) directly related to "tabernacle." Jesus himself is the true Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "Destroy This Temple, and I Will Raise It Up")). Furthermore, through Christ, God's Spirit now indwells believers, making each Christian a "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and collectively, the Church becomes a "holy temple in the Lord" ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "The Church as a Holy Temple")). Thus, David's noble desire for a physical dwelling for God ultimately foreshadowed the spiritual and personal indwelling of God in Christ and, by extension, in His redeemed people, fulfilling the longing for God's presence in a way far surpassing any earthly structure.

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

Psalms 132:1

¶ A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, [and] all his afflictions:

Psalms 132:5

Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty [God] of Jacob.

Acts 13:22

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

2 Samuel 7:1

¶ And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

2 Samuel 7:5

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

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.

1 Chronicles 17:4

Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in: