David asked God that he may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life.

While on the surface, this could represent the literal tent of the Lord or the temple of the Lord, this seems to be representing the relationship between David and God.

“Desired” is meaning “to ask or inquire”. As a perfect verb in Hebrew, and it indicates a past tense. David inquired or asked God in the past.

He goes on to say that he will seek after this.

The word used for “seek” implies that he is seeking something that is concrete and solid.

He is seeking something that is established and definite. It can also imply the meaning of “requiring” something. As we read the scriptures after this, it seems as if David is saying that he is not only asking God for this, but that he requires it, almost as if it is representing a covenant he has with the Lord.

It says further down in this scripture that David wanted to “enquire in his temple.”

This “enquire” means to “investigate” such as one would investigate the symptoms of a illness to determine the extent of it or to investigate an animal for sacrifice to determine if it has any blemishes that would make it unsuitable.

David desired to be close to God and to be in relationship with Him. He would then seek after that desire and investigate every aspect of it.

A literal translation of the scripture that I have in my collection uses the word “inquire” instead of “enquire” as it is written in the King James Version. The meaning is slightly different, in that “enquire” can have a more general meaning, being a formal or informal request. Whereas “inquiry” is more specifically a formal request.

While I cannot say for sure which word is correctly used in this passage, the King James Version seems to indicate both being used.

To “seek” implies “enquire” in a general sense of investigation, while “inquire in His temple” seems more formal, as one would expect requests to be in the temple.

Does “enquire“ or “inquire” really require this kind of exposition? Probably not. I just thought it was interesting to mention it.

David inquired of the Lord in the temple.

We inquire of the Lord anywhere we find ourselves.

There can be no doubt that Jesus has made a better way for us. The Holy Spirit has made His temple in our born-again spirit and so we are never alone. God never wanted a temple made with hands. He wanted His temple to be made in our hearts.

This scripture is just one of several where we see David longing for the kind of relationship that many Christians today take for granted.

What we have through simply believing on Christ, David had sought after his whole life.

Today, I encourage you to think about what we have in God and how precious it is.