1And when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all the enemies around him; 2He said to Nathan, the prophet, “Look how I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.” 3And Nathan told the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.” 4And that night this word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5“Go and tell My servant, David, ‘Thus says the LORD, shall you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6I have not dwelt in any house, from the time I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt until this day, but have been moving from place to place using a tent for My dwelling. 7In all those places where I have moved with all the children of Israel, did I ever say a word to any of their rulers of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, such as, “Why do you not build Me a house of cedar?” 8Now, then, tell My servant David, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I took you from the sheepcote, from tending the sheep, to be ruler over My people, Israel; 9And I was with you wherever you went, and have cut all your enemies off and out of your sight, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are in the earth. 10I will also appoint a place for My people, Israel, where I will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; nor shall wicked people afflict them anymore, as at the beginning. 11As I have done since the time that I appointed judges over My people, Israel, and have given you rest from all your enemies, I, the LORD declare to you that I will establish a house for you. 12And when your days are over, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up one of your sons, of your own flesh and blood, after you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He is the one who shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits sin, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the descendants of men: 15But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed before you. 16And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before Me; your throne shall be established forever.’”’” 17And Nathan repeated all the words from this vision to David. 18Then King David went in, and sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God? And what is my family, that You have brought me this far? 19And as if this were but a small thing in Your sight, O LORD God; You have also spoken of giving Your servant a lasting dynasty. And is this for a mere mortal, O LORD God? 20And what more can David say to You? For You, LORD God, know Your servant. 21For Your word's sake, and according to Your Own heart, You have done all these great things, and revealed them to Your servant. 22How great You are, O LORD God; for there is no other like You - no God beside You, as we have heard with our own ears. 23And what one nation on earth is like Your people, like Israel, whom You went to redeem for a people to Yourself, and to make Yourself a name, and to perform great and awesome things, to drive out nations and their gods from Your land, and before Your people, whom You rescued from Egypt? 24For You have confirmed to Yourself Your people, Israel, to be Your very Own people forever; and You, LORD, are their God. 25And now, O LORD God, the word that You have spoken concerning me, Your servant, and my house, establish it forever, and do as You have said. 26And let Your name be glorified forever. Then Your people will say, ‘The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant, David, be established before You. 27For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to me, Your servant, by saying, ‘I will build a house for you’; that is why I, Your servant have found it in my heart to pray this prayer unto You. 28And now, O LORD God, You are that God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to me, Your servant: 29Now, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O LORD God, have spoken it: and with Your blessing, let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.” Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |