Psalms 132:3-5

Surely I will not, &c. As if he had said, I value not my own private domestic enjoyments and accommodations, in comparison of the settlement of God's public worship. “He was so highly concerned,” says Dr. Hammond, “for the service of God, that, having built himself a house, (1Ch 15:1; 1 Chronicles 15:11, &c.) he immediately prepared a place for the ark of God, and brought it up thither in pomp, having, it seems, solemnly vowed to do so before ever he would dedicate and bless (or dwell in) his own house, chap. 1 Chronicles 16:43. And, not content with that, his zeal further broke out to Nathan the prophet, (chap. Psalms 17:1,) being troubled to think of the magnificence of his own house, while the ark was but in a tent. And he resolved, if God should permit him, to erect a magnificent structure wherein the ark of God should be placed, and God's solemn worship performed.” Bishop Patrick's paraphrase is to the same purport: “I will not come into the new palace which I have built for myself, much less go to dwell and take up my lodging there; nay, I will not lay myself down to rest, nor take a wink of sleep, until I have found out a convenient place for the ark of the Lord, a habitation for that mighty one; who there makes himself present to his people the posterity of Jacob.” Henry supposes that, having procrastinated too long, amidst his difficulties, upon his first accession to the throne, “he one morning made a vow, that, before night, he would come to a resolution in this matter, and would determine the place where the tent should be fixed for the reception of the ark.” Some think that the spot on which the temple should be built was intended, and that David made this vow on the morning of the day of the pestilence, which cut off so many in Israel because he had numbered the people; and that the thrashing- floor of Ornan was pointed out to him in consequence of this resolution.