What Does 1 Chronicles 17:4 Mean in the King James?

Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

1 Chronicles 17:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The rejected house is answered by a reversal of the verb: David is not to build for God; God will build for David.

THE MEANING

This word meets you when devotion takes the form of building something for God: God’s presence does not depend on your construction. David, whose name carries the meaning “beloved,” is addressed as a servant and becomes the recipient of a house promised by God. The initiative belongs to the one speaking.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that God’s dwelling with you depends on your ability to build something worthy for him.

THE ROOT

תִּבְנֶה

tivneh

GROWS FROM

בנה

b-n-h

to build, establish

The verb for building returns in the promise that the LORD will build David a house. The same root turns the agency around: David’s proposed work stops, and God’s work begins.

ALSO GROWS

binyan: building, structure

בִּנְיָן

This noun makes the construction sense of the root visible, while the verse shifts attention from David’s structure to God’s establishing work.

ben: son

בֵּן

This related form is traditionally linked with building a family; it echoes the promise that God will establish David’s house through his line.

דָּוִד

Dāwīd

GROWS FROM

דוד

d-w-d

beloved

David’s name carries belovedness within it, while the verse calls him God’s servant. His place in this exchange rests in the relationship named by God, not in his ability to construct a dwelling.

ALSO GROWS

dōd: beloved, lover

דּוֹד

This word-family gives the name David its echo of belovedness, a quality present alongside his role as servant.

dōdîm: loves, endearments

דּוֹדִים

The plural form in the Song of Songs carries the same language of beloved relation, deepening the name beyond a mere label.

THE PATTERN

God’s dwelling takes shape through divine initiative: human hands may build, yet God determines where and with whom the dwelling is established.

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

2 Samuel 7:5 · KJVThe parallel question exposes the same reversal: David’s desire to build does not set the terms of God’s dwelling.

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 7:48 · KJVThe verse makes clear that God’s dwelling is not contained or secured by a human-made temple.

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22 · KJVHere people are built together as God’s dwelling, with the building described as God’s work among them.

THE THREAD

And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

1 Chronicles 17:10 · KJV

The same verb ⁨בנה⁩ (banah, build) returns, but its subject changes: David does not build God’s house; the LORD builds David’s house. The repeated root reveals the reversal of agency inside the promise.

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