1 Chronicles 17:6
New International Version
Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"’

New Living Translation
Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s leaders, the shepherds of my people. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’

English Standard Version
In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

Berean Standard Bible
In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

King James Bible
Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

New King James Version
Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’

New American Standard Bible
In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

NASB 1995
“In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?’"’

NASB 1977
“In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?’”’

Legacy Standard Bible
Wherever I have gone about with all Israel, did I speak a word with even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

Amplified Bible
Wherever I have walked with all Israel, did I say a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?’”’

Christian Standard Bible
In all my journeys throughout Israel, have I ever spoken a word to even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In all My travels throughout Israel, have I ever spoken a word to even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, asking: Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?”

American Standard Version
In all places wherein I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of cedar?

Contemporary English Version
I chose special leaders and told them to be like shepherds for my people Israel. But did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?

English Revised Version
In all places wherein I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedar?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In all the places I've moved with all Israel, did I ever ask any of the judges of Israel whom I ordered to be shepherds of my people why they didn't build me a house of cedar?'

Good News Translation
In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.'

International Standard Version
Wherever I've moved within all of Israel, did I ever ask even one judge of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people, 'Why haven't you built me a cedar house?'"'

Majority Standard Bible
In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people, ?Why haven?t you built Me a house of cedar??

NET Bible
Wherever I moved throughout Israel, I did not say to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, 'Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?'"'

New Heart English Bible
In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'"'

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherever I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of cedars?

World English Bible
In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Wherever I have walked up and down among all Israel, have I spoken a word with one of [the] judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, saying, Why have you not built a house of cedars for Me?

Young's Literal Translation
whithersoever I have walked up and down among all Israel, a word spake I, with one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, saying, Why have ye not built for Me a house of cedars?

Smith's Literal Translation
In all that I went about in all Israel, spake I the word with one of the judges of Israel that I commanded to feed my people, saying, Wherefore built ye not to me a house of cedars.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Abiding with all Israel. Did I ever speak to any one, of all the judges of Israel, whom I charged to feed my people, saying: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

Catholic Public Domain Version
dwelling with all of Israel. When did I ever speak to any one at all, among the judges of Israel whom I placed in charge so that they might pasture my people, saying: ‘Why have you not built a house of cedar for me?’

New American Bible
As long as I have wandered about with all Israel, did I ever say a word to any of the judges of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

New Revised Standard Version
Wherever I have moved about among all Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, wherever I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word to any of the judges of Israel whom I commanded to judge my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house which is covered with cedars?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, as long as I have been walking among all the children of Israel, have I said a word to one of the Judges of the children of Israel whom I have commanded to judge my people Israel, and have I said to them: ‘Why have you not built a house for me that is covered in cedar?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In all places wherein I have walked among all Israel, spoke I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, saying: Why have ye not built Me a house of cedar?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
in all places through which I have gone with all Israel: did I ever speak to any one tribe of Israel whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why is it that ye have not built me a house of cedar?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Covenant with David
5For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling. 6In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ 7Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 7:7
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?’

Acts 7:48-50
However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’

Isaiah 66:1-2
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

1 Kings 8:16
‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

2 Samuel 7:5-6
“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.

Jeremiah 7:25
From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again.

Jeremiah 25:4
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear.

2 Kings 17:13
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”

Acts 17:24
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

Exodus 25:8-9
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. / You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 40:34-38
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. ...

Leviticus 26:11-12
And I will make My dwelling place among you, and My soul will not despise you. / I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

Deuteronomy 12:5-11
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you. ...

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.


Treasury of Scripture

Wherever I have walked with all Israel, spoke I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have you not built me an house of cedars?

walked

Exodus 33:14,14,15
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest…

Exodus 40:35-38
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle…

Leviticus 26:11,12
And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you…

the judges

Judges 2:16-18
Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them…

1 Samuel 12:11
And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

2 Samuel 7:7
In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

tribes

Acts 13:20
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

feed

1 Chronicles 11:2
And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.

Psalm 78:71,72
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance…

Jeremiah 23:4
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

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Built Cedar Cedars Commanded Feed House Israel Israelites Judges Moved Places Shepherd Speak Walked Wherein Wheresoever Wherever Word
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














In all My journeys
The phrase "In all My journeys" reflects God's active presence and guidance throughout the history of Israel. The Hebrew word for "journeys" (מַסְעוֹת, mas'ot) suggests a continuous movement and pilgrimage. This highlights God's intimate involvement with His people, not as a distant deity but as one who walks alongside them. Historically, this underscores the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during the Exodus and their reliance on God's direction.

with all the Israelites
This phrase emphasizes the collective experience of the nation of Israel. The Hebrew term for "Israelites" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) is significant as it denotes the chosen people of God, descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. This collective identity is central to understanding the covenant relationship between God and His people, a relationship marked by divine promises and expectations.

have I ever asked
The rhetorical question "have I ever asked" is a powerful literary device used by God to make a point. The Hebrew root שָׁאַל (sha'al) means to inquire or request. This question implies that God had never required a permanent dwelling, such as a temple, during the time of the judges, highlighting His contentment with the tabernacle, a movable tent, as His dwelling place among His people.

any of the judges of Israel
The "judges of Israel" refers to the leaders raised by God to deliver and govern the Israelites before the establishment of the monarchy. The Hebrew word for "judges" (שֹׁפְטִים, shoftim) indicates those who execute judgment and lead. This period was characterized by a decentralized leadership where God Himself was seen as the ultimate ruler, and the judges were His instruments.

whom I commanded to shepherd My people
The imagery of "shepherd" is rich in biblical symbolism, denoting care, guidance, and protection. The Hebrew root רָעָה (ra'ah) means to tend or shepherd. This metaphor is used throughout Scripture to describe the relationship between God and His leaders with His people, emphasizing a leadership style that is nurturing and protective, reflecting God's own care for Israel.

Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?
The "house of cedar" refers to a permanent temple made of luxurious materials, such as cedar wood, which was highly prized in ancient times. The rhetorical nature of this question underscores that God had not required such a structure, pointing to His transcendence and the sufficiency of the tabernacle. This highlights the contrast between human desires for grandeur and God's focus on spiritual obedience and relationship.

(6) Wheresoever.--As long as . . . Literally, In all that . . .

With (in) all Israel.--Samuel, "in (among) all the sons of Israel." (Comp. Leviticus 26:11-12; Deuteronomy 23:15.)

The judges of Israel.--Samuel has "tribes." The term "judges" would be more intelligible in later times, and has probably been substituted for the more difficult original expression. The following clause seems to refer to individual rulers, but is not really incompatible with a reference to the ascendency or hegemony of different tribes at different epochs of Israelite history. (Comp. Genesis 49:10; 1Chronicles 28:4; Psalm 78:67-68.) The word "tribe" (sh?bet) might only denote clan, or house, as in Judges 20:12 (Heb.). . . .

Verse 6. - The judges of Israel. The substitution of the Hebrew character beth for pe, in the word "judges," would make it "tribes," and bring it into harmony with the parallel place. But the succeeding clause, Whom I commanded to feed my people, would rather suggest that the parallel place, which adds the same clause, should be brought into harmony with this (see again ver. 10 of this chapter). The general meaning and the gracious spirit underlying it is evident enough. God had never made a suggestion to tribe, or leader of tribe, nor to judge, who had been temporarily raised up to lead, and so to feed, all his people Israel, to build him an house. He had shared their lot, and had shared it unmurmuringly. He also "had not opened his mouth" (1 Kings 8:12-16; 1 Chronicles 28:3, 4; Psalm 78:67-71). Note also the expression, "I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel" (1 Kings 8:16). It is to be remarked that we learn from 1 Chronicles 22:8 and 1 Chron 28:3 the fuller causes why David was not to be permitted to be the builder of the house. It is not apparent why those causes are not recited here. The same remark applies to the parallel place.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In all
בְּכֹ֥ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

My journeys
הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֮ (hiṯ·hal·laḵ·tî)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Israelites,
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

have I ever asked
דִּבַּ֗רְתִּי (dib·bar·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

any
אַחַד֙ (’a·ḥaḏ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

[of the leaders]
שֹׁפְטֵ֣י (šō·p̄ə·ṭê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

whom
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I commanded
צִוִּ֛יתִי (ṣiw·wî·ṯî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

to shepherd
לִרְע֥וֹת (lir·‘ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

My people,
עַמִּ֖י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

‘Why
לָ֛מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have you not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

built
בְנִיתֶ֥ם (ḇə·nî·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

Me
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

a house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of cedar?’
אֲרָזִֽים׃ (’ă·rā·zîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 729: Made of cedar


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 17:6 In all places in which I have (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 17:5
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