2 Samuel 7:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.

NIV: I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.

NASB: For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; rather, I have been moving about in a tent, that is, in a dwelling place.

CSB: From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as my dwelling.

NLT: I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling.

KJV: Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

NKJV: For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle.

David wants to build a temple to house the ark of the covenant. At first, the prophet Nathan encourages him. That night, however, God explains to Nathan why this isn't going to happen.

God starts with a rhetorical question: "Would you build me a house to dwell in?" (2 Samuel 7:5). God has neither done nor said anything that indicates He wants a temple. He gave specific instructions for the tabernacle days after the Israelites escaped from Egypt (Exodus 26—28). The ark of the covenant stayed there until the priest Eli's sons lost it in battle (1 Samuel 4:11). God rescued the ark from the Philistines, and it sat in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Samuel 6:1—7:1–2). When Saul was king, the ark followed "the people" until it returned to Kiriath-jearim. Recently, God has blessed David by fulfilling David's hope to have the ark in Jerusalem with him (2 Samuel 6:1–15).

In all this time, the text never condemns the Israelites for not returning the ark to the tabernacle—only for transporting it wrong (2 Samuel 6:5–9). God has had no problem moving with the people wherever they go (2 Samuel 7:7). He has given them this land, and it is a permanent inheritance, but they don't hold it yet. So, He stays with His people.

While it's true that the tabernacle at Shiloh, where Samuel served as a child, was called a "house" and had a door (1 Samuel 3:15), it remained a tabernacle—a tent—and not a permanent temple structure.

Second Samuel 7:4–7 is God's response to a question He wasn't asked. David has decided it's not right that he lives in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant sits in a tent. He talked to the prophet Nathan about it. Nathan judged that God had a habit of blessing David's plans, and He'd certainly agree to whatever David chose to do (2 Samuel 7:1–3). Nathan was wrong. David won't build a temple: his son will. But God will build David a dynasty (2 Samuel 7:11–17). God's correction is also in 1 Chronicles 17:3–6.

In 2 Samuel 7, David wants to build a temple for the ark of the covenant. He's convicted that he has a big house, so the ark doesn't belong in a tent (2 Samuel 5:11–12; 6:17). God declines David's request. Rather, God will build David a "house": a dynasty. David's son will be king—and that sone will build the temple. David's throne will be established forever. David responds with a humble prayer of gratitude and praise, asking God to do all He has promised for David and for Israel. God will, through Jesus (Revelation 22:16). First Chronicles 17 records the same events.

In 2 Samuel 7, David learns he can't out-give God. God has made him king and given him a mansion and a family (2 Samuel 5:3, 11–15). He's allowed David to bring the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–15). Now, David wants to build the ark a proper temple. Instead, God says David's son will build the temple, and God will build David a lasting dynasty. Solomon does build the temple (1 Kings 5), and Jesus will fulfill David's dynasty (Luke 1:32).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.