Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:
Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You will not be the one to build a house for me to live in.'
God is telling David through the prophet Nathan that David will not be allowed to build God's temple.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of King David, around 1000 BC, Israel was united under his rule after years of conflict and conquests. David, feeling it was inappropriate that he lived in a grand palace while the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence, remained in a simple tent, expressed his desire to build a permanent temple for God. However, through the prophet Nathan, God directly instructed David that he was not the one chosen to build this house, as God had not asked for it and had other plans in mind.
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