The story is so well known as not to need reiteration, yet the details of the sharply composed narrative arrests our attention each time we read it.  In that way, perhaps he is more like us than we care to admit. But also perhaps like us, God can make something of him nonetheless.

David has his plans carefully designed to present both opulent palace and temple as living symbols of his greatness as king. This text suggests that there is a significant problem with David being the architect of the temple.