Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Have walked - Implying the frequent moving of the tabernacle, in the times of the Judges, as opposed to a settled resting in one place. The word tent, refers especially to the outward covering of skins, etc.: the tabernacle denotes the framework of beards and bars. Observe the constant reference to the Exodus and to the details as given in the books of Moses.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house,.... Fixed, stated, habitation:

since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt,

even to this day; a space of five or six hundred years, though he might before:

but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle; moving from place to place while in the wilderness, and since in the land of Canaan, first at Gilgal, then at Shiloh, afterwards at Nob, and now at Gibeon. "Tent" and "tabernacle" are distinguished, though they were but one building and habitation; the tent was the curtains of goats' hair, and the tabernacle the linen curtains, see Exodus 26:1. In 1 Chronicles 17:5 it is "from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another"; which does not intend variety of tabernacles, but change of place.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Tent and tabernacle — These two seem thus to be distinguished, the one may note the curtains and hangings within, the other the frame of boards, and coverings upon it.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 7:6 Whereas I have not dwelt in [any] house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Ver. 6. But have walked in a tent and in a tubernacle.] By tent, some understand the hangings made of goats’ hair; and by tabernacle or habitacle, the sanctuary itself. See Exodus 26:6. The ark was transportative hitherto, till settled in Solomon’s temple: so till we come to heaven, we are in continual motion.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

These two seem thus to be distinguished; the one may note the curtains and hangings within, the other the frame of boards, and coverings upon it.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

children = sons.

walked = have been walking [habitually].

and in a tabernacle = as my habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

I ... have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 'Yahweh's walking' refers to His ark accompanying the migrations of the Israelites through the desert, no less than to its frequent removals in Canaan to Gigal, Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon (cf. 1 Chronicles 17:5). [As to the difference between 'ohel (Hebrew #168), tent, and mishkaan (Hebrew #4908), tabernacle, the one describes the outer coverings of goats' hair, the other the framework, or proper dwelling. The Septuagint has (very incorrectly), en katalumati kai en skeenee, in a khan and a tent.]

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

I have not

Joshua 18:1; 1 Kings 8:16; 1 Chronicles 17:5,6

walked

Exodus 33:14,15; 40:35-38; Leviticus 26:23,24,27,28; Numbers 10:33-36; Deuteronomy 23:14; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 2:1

tent

Exodus 40:18,19,34; Acts 7:44