1 Chronicles 17 1

1 Chronicles 17:1 kjv

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 17:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains."

1 Chronicles 17:1 niv

After David was settled in 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."

1 Chronicles 17:1 esv

Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, "Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent."

1 Chronicles 17:1 nlt

When David was settled in his palace, he summoned Nathan the prophet. "Look," David said, "I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of the LORD's Covenant is out there under a tent!"

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 1 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:1 presents King David, residing in the comfort and permanence of his royal palace made of cedar wood, reflecting on the disparity between his opulent dwelling and the more humble, mobile abode of the Ark of the Covenant, which at this time resided under temporary curtains (part of the tabernacle structure). This verse encapsulates David's profound reverence and devotion to the Lord, demonstrating his heartfelt desire to honor God by providing a magnificent and permanent house for His divine presence, as symbolized by the Ark. This sentiment serves as the immediate catalyst for the events that follow, leading to God's response and the establishment of the pivotal Davidic Covenant.

1 Chronicles 17 1 Context

1 Chronicles 17:1 occurs after David has successfully unified Israel, secured Jerusalem as its capital, and, crucially, brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 13-16). He has established himself as king and found peace from his enemies. Living in a palace constructed from prestigious cedar, indicative of stability, wealth, and God's blessings, David finds himself contemplating the contrasting status of God's dwelling. The Ark, the tangible symbol of God's presence, remained in a humble tent. This internal reflection marks a moment of spiritual sensitivity and gratitude from David, recognizing the disparity and aspiring to honor God appropriately. The verse sets the stage for the highly significant Davidic Covenant, as it prompts God's direct intervention and declaration concerning a "house" not made of wood, but of dynasty.

1 Chronicles 17 1 Word analysis

• "Now it came to pass": (wayəhî, וַיְהִי) A common narrative opening in biblical Hebrew, indicating a sequence of events and signaling a new development. It ties the present moment to preceding narratives, particularly David's recent security and rest (echoing 2 Sam 7:1).
• "when David dwelt in his house": (yāshab bəbêtô, יָשַׁב בְּבֵיתוֹ)
  • "dwelt" (yashab): Implies settled, abiding, secure. David is not merely visiting but permanently residing. It conveys a sense of peace, stability, and established kingship after years of wandering and warfare.
  • "in his house": Refers to his royal palace, signifying a permanent, substantial dwelling, a symbol of David's status and the stability of his kingdom.
• "that David said to Nathan the prophet": (wayyō’mer Dāwiḏ ’el Nātān hannāvî’, וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִיד אֶל־נָתָן הַנָּבִיא)
  • "Nathan the prophet": Nathan is established as God's official messenger, the divine intermediary. David seeking his counsel highlights David's dependence on divine guidance, his spiritual posture as king. This interaction sets up the revelation of God's will.
• "Lo, I dwell": (hinēh ’ānōḵî yōshēḇ, הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי יוֹשֵׁב)
  • "Lo": (hinēh) An interjection signifying surprise, emphasis, or drawing attention to a significant point, highlighting the stark contrast David observes. It is an expression of deep internal thought becoming an outward declaration.
  • "I dwell": David is the one enjoying comfort and permanence. This self-referential statement establishes his own comfortable condition as the baseline for the upcoming contrast.
• "in an house of cedar": (bəbêt ’ăāzim, בְּבֵית אֲרָזִים)
  • "cedar": (’ăāzîm, from ’erez, אֶרֶז) Cedar of Lebanon was a highly prized, durable, fragrant, and expensive timber. It symbolized luxury, grandeur, and permanence, primarily used for royal palaces and future temple construction. It stands in stark contrast to temporary materials.
• "but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains": (wa’ăron bərîṯ-Yahweh təḥaṯ yərî‘ôṯ, וַאֲרוֹן בְּרִית־יְהוָה תַּחַת יְרִיעוֹת)
  • "the ark of the covenant of the Lord": (’arôn bᵉrîṯ YHWH) The holiest object in Israel, representing God's active presence, His throne on earth, and the tangible sign of His covenant relationship with Israel. Its treatment reflected Israel's reverence for God.
  • "remaineth under curtains": (tachaṯ yerî'ōt, תַחַת יְרִיעוֹת)
    • "remaineth under": Indicates its continued, unchanged status, humble compared to David's "new" dwelling.
    • "curtains": (yerî‘ôṯ, יְרִיעוֹת) Refers specifically to the woven fabrics, curtains, or tent cloths of the Tabernacle. This signifies a temporary, portable dwelling, reminiscent of Israel's nomadic past, standing in profound contrast to the settled, grand cedar palace. This contrast underscores David's discomfort with the situation.

1 Chronicles 17 1 Bonus section

The parallel account in 2 Samuel 7:1-2 is nearly identical, signifying the immense theological importance of David's observation and his heart for God. The Chronicler emphasizes David's intentions because they underscore the purity of his worship and the divine source of the subsequent covenant. This event shifts the covenantal relationship with Israel from the Mosaic (Law) to a dynastic promise that lays the groundwork for the expectation of a Messiah, the ultimate Son of David, whose "house" or kingdom will truly be eternal and not contained within any man-made temple.

1 Chronicles 17 1 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:1 is the spark of an epic moment in biblical history. It reveals King David not as a powerful monarch consumed by personal glory, but as a devoted worshiper whose heart is sensitive to God's glory. His realization of dwelling in a cedar palace while the sacred Ark of the Covenant resides in a temporary tent ignites a deep theological conviction: God deserves nothing less than the very best, a permanent and magnificent dwelling. This verse sets the moral and spiritual foundation for God's response. It is a testament to David's piety and spiritual discernment, prioritizing God's honor over his own comforts. This pure intention, though leading to a proposal God initially rejects concerning David building a temple (because God chooses Solomon to build it later), culminates in the more profound Davidic Covenant (1 Chr 17:4-14), where God promises to build David an everlasting "house" or dynasty, thus shifting the focus from a physical structure to an eternal kingship, fulfilled ultimately in Christ.