David Plans to Build a Temple

1When King David lived in his house (palace) and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” 3And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do everything that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”

4But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5“Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Should you be the one to build Me a house in which to dwell? 6For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought the sons (descendants) of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have gone with all the Israelites, did I speak a word to any from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, asking, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

God’s Covenant with David

8So now, say this to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like that of the great men of the earth. 10I will appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in a place of their own and not be disturbed again. The [a]wicked will not afflict them again, as formerly, 11even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also declares to you that He will make a house (royal dynasty) for you. 12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down [in death] with your fathers (ancestors), I will raise up your descendant after you, who shall be born to you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He [is the one who] shall build a house for My [b]Name and My Presence, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. When he commits iniquity (wrongdoing), I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the strokes of the sons of man. 15But My lovingkindness and mercy will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16Your house (royal dynasty) and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever.”’” 17Nathan spoke to David in accordance with all these words and all of this vision.

David’s Prayer

18Then King David went in and sat [in prayer] before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord [c]GOD, and what is my house (family), that You have brought me this far? 19Yet this was very insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, for You have spoken also of Your servant’s house (royal dynasty) in the distant future. And this is the law and custom of man, O Lord GOD. 20What more can David say to You? For You know (acknowledge, choose) Your servant, O Lord GOD. 21Because of Your word (promise), and in accordance with Your own heart, You have done all these great and astounding things to let Your servant know (understand). 22Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23What one nation on earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do great and awesome things for Yourself and for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods? 24You established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your people forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God. 25Now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word [of the covenant] that You have spoken in regard to Your servant and his house (royal dynasty); and do just as You have spoken, 26so that Your Name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts (armies) is God over Israel;’ and may the house (royal dynasty) of Your servant David be established [d]before You. 27For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have [e]revealed this to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house (royal dynasty).’ For that reason Your servant has found [f]courage to pray this prayer to You. 28And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. 29Therefore now, may it please You to bless the house (royal dynasty) of Your servant, so that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

[a] 10 Lit sons of wickedness.
[b] 13 “Name” is equivalent to “Me” in 2 Sam 7:5. See also note Deut 12:5.
[c] 18 Heb YHWH, usually rendered LORD, and so throughout the chapter.
[d] 26 I.e. in Your Presence.
[e] 27 Lit uncovered the ear of.
[f] 27 Lit his heart.