1 Chronicles 17:1
New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
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!”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
After David had settled into 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
And it came about, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains.”

NASB 1995
And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains.”

NASB 1977
And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened when David inhabited his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I inhabit a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is under tent curtains.”

Amplified Bible
As David sat in his house (palace), he said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I live in a house of cedars, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains.”

Christian Standard Bible
When David had settled into his palace, he said to the prophet Nathan, “Look! I am living in a cedar house while the ark of the LORD’s covenant is under tent curtains.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look! I am living in a cedar house while the ark of the LORD’s covenant is under tent curtains.”

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah dwelleth under curtains.

Contemporary English Version
Soon after David moved into his new palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look around! I live in a palace made of cedar, but the sacred chest is kept in a tent."

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwelleth under curtains.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Nathan, "I'm living in a house made of cedar, while the ark of the LORD's promise is inside a tent."

Good News Translation
King David was now living in his palace. One day he sent for the prophet Nathan and said to him, "Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but the LORD's Covenant Box is kept in a tent!"

International Standard Version
After David had settled down to live in his palace, he spoke with the prophet Nathan. "Look, here I am living in this cedar palace, but the ark of the LORD's covenant remains surrounded by curtains!"

Majority Standard Bible
After David had settled into 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.?

NET Bible
When David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a palace made from cedar, while the ark of the LORD's covenant is under a tent."

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains."

Webster's Bible Translation
Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

World English Bible
When David was living in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I live in a cedar house, but the ark of Yahweh’s covenant is in a tent.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass as David sat in his house, that David says to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedars, and the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH [is] under curtains”;

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass as David sat in his house, that David saith unto Nathan the prophet, 'Lo, I am dwelling in a house of cedars, and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah is under curtains;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as David will sit in his house, and David will say to Nathan the prophet, Behold me dwelling in a house of cedars, and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah under curtains.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now when David was dwelling in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet: Behold I dwell in a house of cedar : and the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under skins.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now when David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Nathan: “Behold, I live in a house of cedar. But the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent skins.”

New American Bible
After David had taken up residence in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “See, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tentcloth.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now when David settled in his house, David said to the prophet Nathan, “I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW it came to pass when David dwelt in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, Behold, I dwell in a house which is covered with the beams of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is resting in the midst of the tent of hair of goats.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was that when David dwelt in his house, and David said to Nathan the Prophet: “See that I dwell in a house that is covered with planks of cedar, and the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH resides within a tent of hair!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet: 'Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwelleth under curtains.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass as David dwelt in his house, that 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 curtains of skins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Covenant with David
1After David had settled into 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.” 2And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 7:1-2
After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, / he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

1 Kings 8:17-18
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. / But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.

Acts 7:46-47
who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. / But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.

2 Chronicles 6:7-8
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. / But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.

Psalm 132:1-5
A song of ascents. O LORD, remember on behalf of David all the hardships he endured, / how he swore an oath to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: / “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, ...

2 Samuel 5:11
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

1 Kings 5:3-5
“As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. / But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis. / So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’

2 Samuel 6:17
So they brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

1 Kings 8:18-19
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. / Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

2 Samuel 7:5-7
“Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? / For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling. / In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

2 Chronicles 17:1-2
Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel. / He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

2 Samuel 7:12-13
And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

1 Kings 8:20
Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 6:9-10
Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’ / Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Samuel 7:16
Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”


Treasury of Scripture

Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, See, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remains under curtains.

as David

2 Samuel 7:1,2
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 Chronicles 6:7-9
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel…

Daniel 4:4,29,30
I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: …

Nathan

1 Chronicles 29:29
Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

2 Samuel 12:1,25
And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor…

1 Kings 1:8,23,44
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah…

I dwell

1 Chronicles 14:1
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

Jeremiah 22:15
Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?

Haggai 1:4,9
Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? …

the ark

Psalm 132:5
Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

Acts 7:46
Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

under curtains

1 Chronicles 17:5
For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

1 Chronicles 15:1
And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

1 Chronicles 16:1
So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

Jump to Previous
Agreement Ark Cedar Cedars Cedar-Wood Covenant Curtains David Dwell Dwelleth Dwelling Dwells Dwelt House Lord's Nathan Palace Prophet Sat Settled Tent
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Agreement Ark Cedar Cedars Cedar-Wood Covenant Curtains David Dwell Dwelleth Dwelling Dwells Dwelt House Lord's Nathan Palace Prophet Sat Settled Tent
1 Chronicles 17
1. Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God a house
3. after by the word of God forbids him
11. He promises him blessings and benefits in his seed
16. David's prayer and thanksgiving














After David had settled into his palace
This phrase marks a significant moment in King David's life, indicating a period of peace and stability. The Hebrew root for "settled" (יָשַׁב, yashab) conveys a sense of dwelling or abiding, suggesting that David had reached a point of rest after years of warfare and struggle. The "palace" (בַּיִת, bayit) symbolizes not just a physical structure but also the establishment of David's kingdom. Historically, this reflects the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more permanent, centralized governance in Jerusalem, the city David had captured and made his capital.

he said to Nathan the prophet
Nathan is introduced here as a key spiritual advisor to David. The role of a prophet (נָבִיא, nabi) in ancient Israel was to serve as a mouthpiece for God, providing divine guidance and correction. Nathan's presence underscores the importance of seeking God's will in all matters, a principle that remains central in conservative Christian thought. This relationship between king and prophet highlights the balance of power and the need for spiritual oversight in leadership.

Here I am, living in a house of cedar
The "house of cedar" signifies luxury and permanence, as cedar wood was a prized material for construction, often imported from Lebanon. This phrase reflects David's awareness of his own comfort and prosperity. In a spiritual sense, it prompts reflection on the blessings God bestows and the responsibility that comes with them. The contrast between David's opulent dwelling and the temporary nature of the ark's tent raises questions about priorities and the heart's focus on material versus spiritual matters.

while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent
The "ark of the covenant" (אֲרוֹן הַבְּרִית, aron habrit) was the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's presence and covenant with His people. Its placement "under a tent" (בְּיָרִיעָה, be-yari'ah) highlights the temporary and humble conditions in which it resided. This contrast with David's palace serves as a catalyst for David's desire to build a temple, reflecting a heart that seeks to honor God above all. Historically, this moment foreshadows the eventual construction of Solomon's Temple, a central place of worship for Israel. Theologically, it challenges believers to consider how they honor God's presence in their own lives, prioritizing spiritual devotion over earthly comforts.

(1) Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house.--In both texts the story of this chapter naturally follows that of the removal of the Ark, although the events themselves appear to belong to a later period of David's reign, "when the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies" (2Samuel 7:1; comp. 1Chronicles 17:8). 1Chronicles 17:11-14 indicate some time before the birth of Solomon, but the date cannot be more exactly determined.

David.--Thrice in 1Chronicles 17:1-2, for which Samuel has "the king." The chronicler loves the name of his ideal sovereign.

Sat.--Dwelt.

Lo.--Samuel, "See, now." . . .

Verse 1. - We may easily imagine how the excitement, though not the deeper interest, attending the removal of the ark and the festival on occasion of its safe establishment on Zion had now subsided. David's thoughts respecting the honour due to God and to the ark of the covenant had time to grow into convictions, and they were greatly and rightly stimulated by reflection on his own surroundings of comfort, of safety, of stability and splendour. He revolves the possible methods and the right methods of showing that honour due. The completion of his own house, one presumably fit for the permanent abode of the King of Israel (1 Chronicles 14:1), is the clear demonstration to him that the ark should not dwell in a mere tent. It is a true touch of life, when it is written that as David sat in his house these thoughts possessed him, and so strongly. The exact time, however, here designed, and the exact occasion of his revealing the thoughts that burned within him, to Nathan, do not appear either here or in the parallel place. In the opinion of some, an indication of some interval having elapsed is found in the words (2 Samuel 7:1), "The Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies;" while others consider those words to refer to the victories gained over the Philistines, as recorded in ch. 14. Nathan the prophet. This name suddenly breaks upon us, without any introduction, here for the first time. Nathan is emphatically entitled "the prophet," but perhaps merely to distinguish him from Nathan, David's eighth son. Amid many other important references to Nathan, and which speak for themselves, must be specially noted 1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29. And it will be noticed from the former of these references, in particular how Nathan is the prophet (הַגָּבִיא); not (like Samuel and Gad) seer (הָרֹאֶה or הַתוֶה). Possibly he is intended in 1 Kings 4:5. An house of cedars. The cedar here spoken of does, of course, not answer to our red, odorous cedar. The word employed is אֶרֶז, in the plural number. The first Biblical use of this word is found in Leviticus 14:4, 6, 49-52. It is derived by Gesenius from an obsolete word אָרַז, from the grip and the firmness of its roots. It is probably the derived signification, therefore, that should be adhered to (as in the Authorized Version), and not the original, where in Ezekiel 27:24, the plural of the passive participial is found, "made of cedar," not with A. Schultens, "made fast." The cedar genus belonging to the order Coniferae, is odoriferous, very lasting, and without knots. The numerous good qualities which it possesses are spoken to in the variety of uses, and good kind of uses, to which it was put - these all crowned by the almost solitary spiritualized appropriation of the tree, found in Psalm 92:12. From a comparison of 1 Kings 5:6, 8 (in the Hebrew, 20, 22) with 2 Chronicles 2:3, 8, and some other passages, we may be led to believe that the cedar as the name of timber was used occasionally very generically. Nevertheless, the very passages in question instance by name the other specific kinds of wood. Two of the chief kinds of cedar were the Lebanon and the Deodara, which is said not to have grown in Syria, but abounds in the Himalayas. And as the use of the Lebanon cedar for some purposes (e.g. for the masts of ships) is almost out of the question, it is exceedingly probable that this Deodars and some other varieties of pines are comprehended under the eh-rez. Dean Stanley points out what may be described as very interesting moral landmark uses of the celebrated cedars of Lebanon, in those passages which speak of Solomon's sweep of knowledge, commencing in the dewing direction from them (1 Kings 4:33), of the devouring fire that should begin with the bramble and reach high up to those cedars (in Jotham's parable, Judges 9:15), and (in the parable of Joash, King of Israel, to Amaziah, King of Judah, 2 Chronicles 25:18) of the contempt with which the family of the cedars of Lebanon is supposed to hear of the matrimonial overtures of the family of the thistles of Lebanon. Stanley's pages ('Sinai and Palestine,' edit. 1866, pp. 414-414d) are full of interest on the subject of the cedars of Lebanon (see also full article in Dr. Smith's 'Bible Dictionary,' 1:285, 286; and Dr. Thomson's 'Land and the Book,' pp. 197-200). Cedar was the choice wood for pillars and beams, boarding and ceiling of the finest houses; and alike the first and second temples (Ezra 3:7) depended upon the supply of it. Under curtains. Here rightly in the plural, though our parallel (2 Samuel 7:2) shows the singular (Exodus 26:1-13; Exodus 36:8-19).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After
וַיְהִ֕י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

David
דָּוִ֖יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

had settled
יָשַׁ֥ב (yā·šaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

into his palace,
בְּבֵית֑וֹ (bə·ḇê·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

he
דָּוִ֜יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Nathan
נָתָ֣ן (nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5416: Nathan -- the name of a number of Israelites

the prophet,
הַנָּבִ֗יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

“Here
הִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

I am,
אָנֹכִ֤י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

living
יוֹשֵׁב֙ (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in a house
בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of cedar,
הָֽאֲרָזִ֔ים (hā·’ă·rā·zîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 729: Made of cedar

while the ark
וַאֲר֥וֹן (wa·’ă·rō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the covenant
בְּרִית־ (bə·rîṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is under
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

a tent.”
יְרִיעֽוֹת׃ (yə·rî·‘ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3407: A hanging


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 17:1 It happened when David lived in his (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 16:43
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