2Sa 7:1-3 | Clarke | STEP | David consults the prophet Nathan about building a temple for the Lord, and is encouraged by him to do it, . That night Nathan receives a revelation from God, stating that Solomon, not David, should build the temple, . Nathan delivers the Divine message, and David magnifies God for his mercies, and makes prayer and supplication, . Verse 1 When the king sat in his house - That is, when he became resident in the palace which Hiram, king of Tyre, had built for him. And the Lord had given him rest - This was after he had defeated the Philistines, and cast them out of all the strong places in Israel which they had possessed after the overthrow of Saul; but before he had carried his arms beyond the land of Israel, against the Moabites, Syrians, and Idumeans. See .

2 Samuel 7:1-3

Introduction

David consults the prophet Nathan about building a temple for the Lord, and is encouraged by him to do it, 2Sam 7:1-3. That night Nathan receives a revelation from God, stating that Solomon, not David, should build the temple, 2Sam 7:4-16. Nathan delivers the Divine message, and David magnifies God for his mercies, and makes prayer and supplication, 2Sam 7:17-29.

Verse 1

When the king sat in his house - That is, when he became resident in the palace which Hiram, king of Tyre, had built for him.

And the Lord had given him rest - This was after he had defeated the Philistines, and cast them out of all the strong places in Israel which they had possessed after the overthrow of Saul; but before he had carried his arms beyond the land of Israel, against the Moabites, Syrians, and Idumeans. See 2Sam 8:1-14. Verse 2

I dwell in a house of cedar - That is, a house whose principal beams, ceiling, and wainscot, were cedar.

Dwelleth within curtains - Having no other residence but the tabernacle, which was a place covered with the skins of beasts, Exo 26:14. Verse 3

Nathan said to the king - In this case he gave his judgment as a pious and prudent man, not as a prophet; for the prophets were not always under a Divine afflatus; it was only at select times they were thus honored.

For the Lord is with thee - Thou hast his blessing in all that thou doest, and this pious design of thine will most certainly meet with his approbation.