have not dwelt in a house: Before the temple was built in one location, God lived in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a portable, tent-like structure. The text here uses language of human experience to describe a truth about God (see study notes on Exodus 29:18; Deuteronomy 8:2). Although God is present everywhere, he chose the tabernacle and later the temple as his "dwelling place" in ancient Israel (see study note on 2 Chronicles 2:5–6; compare Acts 17:24).