Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
Parallel translations
- WEB “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God because of the wars which were around him on every side, until Yahweh put his enemies under the soles of his feet.
- BSB “As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet.
- NKJV You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under the soles of his feet.
- NASB “You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet.
- NLT “You know that my father, David, was not able to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord his God because of the many wars waged against him by surrounding nations. He could not build until the Lord gave him victory over all his enemies.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Solomon explains that David could not build the temple because he was occupied with constant wars. The wars had to end before the house of God could rise.
Overview
David had longed to build the temple but was prevented because he was a man of war and bloodshed (1 Chronicles 22:8). The phrase about enemies under his feet recalls God's promises and echoes language later applied to Christ's victory (Psalm 110:1). The temple awaited a season of rest, pointing to the peace secured by the true Son of David.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 1 Chr 28:3But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
- 1 Chr 22:8But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
- Ps 110:1The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
- Ps 8:6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
- 1 Chr 22:4–6Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
- 1 Cor 15:25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
- Mal 4:3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
- 2 Sam 7:5–11Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
- 2 Chr 6:6–8But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
- Josh 10:24And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
- Eph 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 5:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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