2 Samuel 7:7

Easy-to-Read Version

I never told any of the tribes of Israel to build me a fancy house made from cedar wood.'

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
In all my journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever spoken a word to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’

Hebrew Names Version
In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Yisra'el, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Yisra'el, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Yisra'el, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

King James Version
In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

Lexham English Bible
In all of my going about among all the Israelites, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why did you not build me a cedar house?'"'

English Standard Version
In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'

New Century Version
As I have moved with the Israelites, I have never said to the tribes, whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, "Why haven't you built me a house of cedar?"'

New English Translation
Wherever I moved among all the Israelites, I did not say to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?"'

Amplified Bible
"Wherever I have gone with all the Israelites, did I speak a word to any from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, asking, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'

New American Standard Bible
"Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'

Geneva Bible (1587)
In al the places wherein I haue walked with all the children of Israel, spake I one worde with any of the tribes of Israel when I commaunded the iudges to feede my people Israel? or sayde I, Why build ye not me an house of cedar trees?

Legacy Standard Bible
Wherever I have gone about with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'

Contemporary English Version
I chose leaders and told them to be like shepherds for my people Israel. But did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?

Complete Jewish Bible
Everywhere I traveled with all the people of Isra'el, did I ever speak a word to any of the tribes of Isra'el, whom I ordered to shepherd my people Isra'el, asking, "Why haven't you built me a cedar-wood house?"'

Darby Translation
In all my going about with all the children of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye me not a house of cedars?

George Lamsa Translation
In all the places where I have walked with all the children of Israel, have I spoken to any of those whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

Good News Translation
In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.'

Literal Translation
In all places in which I have gone with all Israel's sons, have I spoken a word with one of the tribes of Israel, those I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, Why have you not built for me a house of cedars?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
whither so euer I wente with the children of Israel. Dyd I euer speake to eny of the trybes of Israel (whom I commaunded to kepe my people of Israel) & sayde: Wherfore do ye not buylde me an house of Ceder wodd?

American Standard Version
In all places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel, spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of cedar?

Bible in Basic English
In all the places where I went with all the children of Israel, did I ever say to any of the judges of Israel, to whom I gave the care of my people Israel, Why have you not made me a house of cedar?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
In al the places wherin I haue walked with all the childre of Israel, spake I one worde with any of ye tribes of Israel, when I commaunded [the iudges] to feede my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of Cedar trees?

JPS Old Testament (1917)
In all places wherein I have walked among all the children of Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people Israel, saying: Why have ye not built Me a house of cedar?

King James Version (1611)
In all the places wherein I haue walked with all the children of Israel, spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whome I commanded to feede my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of Cedar?

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
wheresoever I went with all Israel. Have I ever spoken to any of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to tend my people Israel, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of Cedar?

English Revised Version
In all places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel, spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedar?

Berean Standard Bible
In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
bi alle places, to whiche Y passyde with alle the sones of Israel? Whether Y spekynge spak to oon of the lynagis of Israel, to whom Y comaundyde, that he schulde feede my puple Israel, and seide, Whi `bildidist thou not an hows of cedre to me?

Young's Literal Translation
During all [the time] that I have walked up and down among all the sons of Israel, a word have I spoken with one of the tribes of Israel which I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, `Why have ye not built to Me a house of cedars?

Update Bible Version
In all places wherein I have walked with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

Webster's Bible Translation
In all [the places] in which I have walked with all the children of Israel have I spoken a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why do ye not build me a house of cedar?

World English Bible
In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

New King James Version
Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?""

New Living Translation
Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel's tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, "Why haven't you built me a beautiful cedar house?"'

New Life Bible
In all the places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I say anything about this to any of the families of Israel which I told to shepherd My people? Did I say to any of them, ‘Why have you not built a house of cedar wood for Me?'"'

New Revised Standard
Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wheresoever I have wandered with any of the sons of Israel, spake I ever, a word, with any one of the tribes of Israel, whom I charged to shepherd my people Israel, saying, - Wherefore have ye not built me a house, of cedar?

Douay-Rheims Bible
In all the places that I have gone through with all the children of Israel, did ever I speak a word to any one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

Revised Standard Version
In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'

Contextual Overview

⁴ But that night, the Lord 's word came to Nathan: ⁵ "Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in. ⁶ I did not live in a house at the time I took the Israelites out of Egypt. No, I traveled around in a tent. I used the tent for my home. ⁷ I never told any of the tribes of Israel to build me a fancy house made from cedar wood.' ⁸ "You must say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: I chose you while you were out in the pasture following the sheep. I took you from that job and made you the leader of my people, the Israelites. ⁹ I have been with you every place you went. I have defeated your enemies for you. I will make you one of the most famous people on earth. ¹⁰And I chose a place for my people, the Israelites. I planted the Israelites. I gave them their own place to live so that they will not have to move from place to place anymore. In the past, I sent judges to lead my people, but evil people gave them many troubles. That will not happen now. I am giving you peace from all of your enemies. I promise that I will make your family a family of kings. ¹² "‘When your life is finished, you will die and be buried with your ancestors. But then I will make one of your own children become the king. ¹³ He will build a house for my name, and I will make his kingdom strong forever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he sins, I will use other people to punish him. They will be my whips.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

walked: Leviticus 26:11, Leviticus 26:12

any of the tribes: 1 Chronicles 17:6, any of the judges, Instead of שבטי, shivtey, "tribes," we should probably read, with Houbigant, Drs. Waterland and A. Clarke, and others, שפטי, shophtey, "judges;" which is the reading in the parallel passage. Indeed there is but one letter of difference between them, and letters which might be easily mistaken for each other; the apex under the upper stroke of the פ, pay, being the only mark to distinguish it from the ב, baith. Compare with 2 Samuel 7:11.

feed: 2 Samuel 5:2, Psalms 78:71, Psalms 78:72, Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 3:15, Jeremiah 23:4, Ezekiel 34:2, Ezekiel 34:15, Ezekiel 34:23, Micah 5:4, Matthew 2:6, *marg. John 21:15-17, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:28, 1 Peter 5:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:16 - Since 1 Chronicles 11:2 - Thou shalt 2 Chronicles 6:5 - Since the day Psalms 28:9 - feed

Cross-References

Genesis 6:18
I will make a special agreement with you. You, your wife, your sons, and their wives will all go into the boat.

Genesis 7:1
Then the Lord said to Noah, "I have seen that you are a good man, even among the evil people of this time. So gather your family, and all of you go into the boat.

Genesis 7:15
All these animals went into the boat with Noah. They came in groups of two from every kind of animal that had the breath of life.

Proverbs 22:3
Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to it and suffer for it.

Matthew 24:38
In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married right up to the day Noah entered the boat.

Luke 17:27
People were eating, drinking, and getting married even on the day when Noah entered the boat. Then the flood came and killed them all.

Hebrews 6:18
These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours.

Hebrews 11:7
Noah was warned by God about things that he could not yet see. But he had faith and respect for God, so he built a large boat to save his family. With his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong. And he became one of those who are made right with God through faith.

1 Peter 3:20
Those were the spirits who refused to obey God long ago in the time of Noah. God was waiting patiently for people while Noah was building the big boat. And only a few—eight in all—were saved in the boat through the floodwater.

2 Peter 2:5
And God punished the evil people who lived long ago. He brought a flood to the world that was full of people who were against God. But he saved Noah and seven other people with him. Noah was a man who told people about living right.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

In all [the places] wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel,.... :- on the places mentioned there:

spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel; or rather the sceptres of Israel; so the word is rendered, Genesis 49:10; the sceptre bearers, rulers, and governors, whose custom was to carry a sceptre in their hands, as Ben Melech observes; and so in a parallel text, 1 Chronicles 17:6, it is, "to any of the judges of Israel"; any of those from the times of Moses and Joshua to the times of Saul and David, and this is confirmed by what follows:

whom I commanded to feed my people Israel; that is, to rule and govern them, protect and defend them, which cannot be said of the tribes, but of the rulers of them; and the Lord asks this question, whether ever he had said a word to any of those, in all that space of time, expressing anything of this kind:

saying, why build ye not me an house of cedar? they never were bid to do it, or expostulated with why they did not, or ever reproved for not doing it; therefore why should David think of doing it?

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The tribes of Israel - The duplicate passage reads judges (see margin and compare 2 Samuel 7:11). But a comparison with such passages as Psa 78:67-68; 1 Kings 8:16; and 1 Chronicles 28:4, favors the reading “tribes,” and the phrase is a condensed one, the meaning of which is, that whatever tribe had in times past supplied the ruler of Israel, whether Ephraim in the days of Joshua, or Benjamin in the time of Saul, or Judah in that of David, God had never required any of these tribes to build a house in one of their cities.

An house of cedar - See 1 Kings 7:2-3; 1Ki 10:17, 1 Kings 10:21; Jeremiah 22:14, Jeremiah 22:23. Beams of cedar marked a costly building. The cedar of Lebanon is a totally different tree from what we improperly call the red or Virginian cedar, which supplies the sweet-scented cedar wood, and is really a kind of juniper. The cedar of Lebanon is a close-grained, light-colored, yellowish wood, with darker knots and veins.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 7:7. With any of the tribes — "Spake I a word to any of the JUDGES" is the reading in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 17:6, and this is probably the true reading. Indeed, there is but one letter of difference between them, and letters which might be easily mistaken for each other: שבטי shibtey, tribes, is almost the same in appearance with שפטי shophetey, judges; the ב beth and the פ pe being the same letter, the apex under the upper stroke of the פ pe excepted. If this were but a little effaced in a MS., it would be mistaken for the other, and then we should have tribes instead of judges. This reading seems confirmed by 2 Samuel 7:11.