MPV Commentary

Nathan Approves the Purpose of David to Build God A House.

The king said to Nathan the prophet, "I'm living in a cedar house," referring to the magnificent palace that Hiram had built for him in Jerusalem. This palace was impressive for its time, despite being made entirely of wood, since houses in warm climates don't require the same level of structural solidity as those in colder regions.

Cedar was the rarest and most valuable timber available, making David's royal mansion a symbol of elegance and splendor. In contrast, the temporary tabernacle where the ark of God was kept seemed humble by comparison, causing David to feel a sense of distress about the situation.

Nathan responded to the king, "Go ahead and do everything that's on your mind." The prophet approved of David's pious intentions and encouraged him to pursue his plans. However, it's worth noting that when prophets act on their own feelings or form opinions without divine guidance, they can sometimes make mistakes (see 1 Samuel 16:6; 2 Kings 4:27).