2 Chronicles 6:7 kjv
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 6:7 nkjv
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 6:7 niv
"My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 6:7 esv
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 6:7 nlt
Then Solomon said, "My father, David, wanted to build this Temple to honor the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 6 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 17:1-2 | Now it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house... 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 curtains." | David's desire expressed to Nathan. |
| 1 Chr 22:7-8 | David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. But the word of the LORD came to me..." | David reiterates his desire to Solomon and God's prohibition. |
| 2 Sam 7:2-3 | Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you." | Nathan's initial, human approval of David's plan. |
| 2 Sam 7:5-7 | "Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: "Should you build Me a house...? I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up...''" | God's direct revelation forbidding David to build the house. |
| 1 Ki 5:3 | "You know how My father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side..." | Solomon acknowledging David's reason for not building. |
| 1 Ki 8:18 | "And the LORD said to My father David, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.'" | God affirming David's good intent, even if the act was not for him. |
| Ps 132:3-5 | "...surely I will not enter the shelter of my house... till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob." | David's psalmic vow concerning God's dwelling place. |
| Acts 7:46-47 | "...who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house." | Stephen references David's desire and Solomon's building. |
| Exod 25:8 | "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." | Initial command for Tabernacle, setting precedent for divine presence. |
| Deut 12:5, 11 | "But you shall seek the place where the LORD your God chooses out of all your tribes to put His name for His dwelling place..." | God chooses a place for His name, not for His confinement. |
| Isa 66:1-2 | "Thus says the LORD: 'Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build for Me...? For all these things My hand has made...'" | God's transcendence over any man-made dwelling. |
| Acts 17:24 | "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." | Reinforces God's omnipresence and non-confinement to structures. |
| Jn 4:21, 24 | "Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem worship the Father... God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'" | True worship transcends physical locations and structures. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" | Believers themselves are the dwelling place of God. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord..." | The Church as a spiritual temple, growing in Christ. |
| Heb 3:6 | "but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence..." | Christ is Lord over God's true house (believers). |
| Rev 21:22 | "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." | In the new heaven and earth, God's immediate presence replaces any need for a temple. |
| Hag 1:4 | "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" | Later prophecy highlights the importance of rebuilding God's house. |
| Ezra 1:2-3 | "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me... He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem." | Command for second Temple, continuing the "house" motif. |
| Lk 1:32-33 | "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever..." | Future "house" as spiritual lineage through Messiah, fulfilling covenant. |
2 Chronicles 6 verses
2 Chronicles 6 7 Meaning
2 Chronicles 6:7 states King David's profound inner desire and intent to construct a sacred dwelling, a "house," for the explicit purpose of glorifying and making renowned the character and presence of the Lord, the covenant God of Israel. This aspiration came directly from his deepest being, his "heart."
2 Chronicles 6 7 Context
This verse is part of Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. He is recounting the historical background that led to the construction of this grand edifice. Before offering his full prayer for God's presence and blessing upon the Temple and Israel, Solomon details the divine purpose concerning the Temple's builders: David desired it, but God designated Solomon to complete it. The broader historical context is the period of the United Monarchy, specifically the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, where God promised David an eternal dynasty and a son (Solomon) who would build God's "house." Solomon's speech solidifies his legitimacy as king and emphasizes the continuity of God's plan despite changes in leadership.
2 Chronicles 6 7 Word analysis
- Now it was in the heart: The phrase "in the heart" (Hebrew: b'lev, בְּלֵב) indicates a deep-seated desire, an innermost conviction, not a fleeting thought. The heart in biblical understanding is the seat of intellect, will, and emotion—the core of a person's being. This highlights David's pure intention and profound reverence for God. God acknowledged this intention in 1 Kings 8:18.
- of My father David: Establishes Solomon's lineage and authority. David is the patriarchal figure whose vision, though incomplete in execution, laid the spiritual and aspirational groundwork for the Temple.
- to build: The verb (Hebrew: livnot, לִבְנוֹת) literally means "to build" or "to construct." This refers to a tangible, physical structure.
- a house: Hebrew: bayit (בַּיִת). In this context, it unequivocally refers to the Temple, the central sanctuary for the worship of Yahweh in Israel. It is distinct from David's own royal palace.
- for the name of the Lord: This phrase (Hebrew: le'shem Adonai, לְשֵׁם יְהוָה) is profoundly significant. It means "for the renown of," "for the reputation of," or "to manifest the character of" God. The "Name" (Hebrew: shem) in the Bible signifies God's very being, His revealed character, power, and authority. The Temple was not to confine God (who is omnipresent, Isa 66:1), but to be a focal point where His Name—His presence, power, and promises—would be acknowledged and revealed among His people and to the nations. It served as a place of legitimate worship and sacrificial atonement under the Mosaic covenant.
- the God of Israel: (Hebrew: Elohei Yisrael, אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) Emphasizes Yahweh's unique covenant relationship with the nation of Israel. This distinguishes Him from the pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations. The Temple, therefore, was exclusively dedicated to this one true God.
2 Chronicles 6 7 Bonus section
- The tension between God's omnipresence and His condescension to "dwell" among His people is a central theme around the Temple. The phrase "for the name of the Lord" deftly navigates this, implying presence, not confinement. God would meet them there, though He is everywhere.
- David, as a man of war, prepared the materials and resources (1 Chr 22), while Solomon, a man of peace, completed the structure. This shows the different roles each king played in God's redemptive plan, complementing each other rather than negating David's sincere desire.
- This desire to build a "house" for God mirrors earlier divine instructions for the Tabernacle (Exod 25:8), continuing the concept of a dedicated space for communal worship and a focal point for God's covenant presence with His people.
2 Chronicles 6 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 6:7 opens Solomon's prayer of dedication by affirming his father David's heartfelt desire to build the Temple. This sets a vital theological foundation: while the physical construction was accomplished by Solomon, the inspiration and profound intention originated with David, whose good desire was pleasing to God, even though God reserved the actual building for Solomon due to David's role as a man of war (1 Chr 22:8). This illustrates God's sovereignty over human intentions and actions, guiding them towards His ultimate plan and perfect timing. The verse underlines that the Temple's purpose was not for God's dwelling in a confined sense (as God is transcendent and omnipresent), but "for His name," making His character and covenant accessible to His people and revealing Him to the world. It signifies a place of meeting, worship, and where God's promises would be visibly enacted among His chosen people.