John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. But God said unto me, thou shalt not build an house for my name , etc.] This he said by Nathan the prophet, ( 2 Samuel 7:5) because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood : (see Chronicles 22:8).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - During David's last sickness, many chief priests and Levites were a Jerusalem. Finding himself able, David spoke of his purpose to build temple for God, and of God's disallowing that purpose. He opened to them God's gracious purposes concerning Solomon. David charged them to cleave stedfastly to God and their duty. We cannot do our work as we should, unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from Divin grace. Religion or piety has two distinct parts. The first is knowledg of God, the second is worship of God. David says, Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. God is made known by his works and word. Revelation alone shows the whol character of God, in his providence, his holy law, his condemnation of sinners, his blessed gospel, and the ministration of the Spirit to all true believers. The natural man cannot receive this knowledge of God But thus we learn the value of the Saviour's atonement, and of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and are influenced to walk in all his commandments. It brings a sinner to his proper place at the foot of the cross, as a poor, guilty, helpless worm, deserving wrath, ye expecting every thing needful from the free mercy and grace of God ou Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been forgiven much, the pardoned sinner learns to love much.
Original Hebrew והאלהים430 אמר559 לי לא3808 תבנה1129 בית1004 לשׁמי8034 כי3588 אישׁ376 מלחמות4421 אתה859 ודמים1818 שׁפכת׃8210
