1 Chronicles 17:6

The judges of Israel . The substitution of the Hebrew character beth for pe , in the word "judges," would make it "tribes," and bring it into harmony with the parallel place. But the succeeding clause, Whom I commanded to feed my people , would rather suggest that the parallel place, which adds the same clause, should be brought into harmony with this (see again 1 Chronicles 17:10 of this chapter). The general meaning and the gracious spirit underlying it is evident enough. God had never made a suggestion to tribe, or leader of tribe, nor to judge, who had been temporarily raised up to lead, and so to feed, all his people Israel, to build him an house. He had shared their lot, and had shared it unmurmuringly. He also "had not opened his mouth" ( 1 Kings 8:12-16 ; 1 Chronicles 28:3 , 1 Chronicles 28:4 ; Psalms 78:67-71 ). Note also the expression, "I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel" ( 1 Kings 8:16 ). It is to be remarked that we learn from 1 Chronicles 22:8 and 1 Chronicles 28:3 the fuller causes why David was not to be permitted to be the builder of the house. It is not apparent why those causes are not recited here. The same remark applies to the parallel place.