he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
Here is, I. David at rest. He sat in his house (Sa2 7:1), quiet and undisturbed, having no occasion to take the field: The Lord had given him rest round about, from all those that were enemies to his settlement in the throne, and he set himself to enjoy that rest. Though he was a man of war, he was for peace (Psa 120:7) and did not delight in war.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 7:1-3
That the king said unto Nathan the prophet,.... This is the first time this prophet is made mention of, but often afterwards, yet who he was, and from whence he came, is not known; he appears to be a man of great piety and prudence, as well as endowed with a prophetic spirit, and was very familiar with David, and perhaps dwelt in his palace...
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. (a) Within the tabernacle covered with skins, .