That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
Ver. 2. That the king said unto Nathan the prophet.] This he said out of that ardent devotion and zeal kindled and increased in him by his late religious joy at the removal of the ark; by the presence whereof he tasted more and more how good the Lord was: and thereupon consulted with himself and Nathan about a fit retribution: saying in effect as Psalms 116:12. The building of a temple non tantum voluit, sed et vovit, he both designed and vowed, Psa 132:2 but herein he failed, that he would run before the Lord's commandment. So hard it is to hold the golden mean, and not to mingle some sin with our best actions.
See now, I dwell in an house of cedar.] Ahab dwelt in a palace of ivory, and yet had no thoughts of heart for God and his service. The thoughts of the wicked are little worth. Pro 10:20