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Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: Is it you who would build me a house to dwell in?(A) I have never dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up from Egypt to this day, but I have been going about in a tent or a tabernacle. As long as I have wandered about among the Israelites, did I ever say a word to any of the judges whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

Now then, speak thus to my servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts:[a] I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 7:8–16 The message Nathan delivers to David, called the Dynastic Oracle, is prompted by David’s intention to build a house (i.e., a temple) for the Lord, like David’s own house (i.e., palace) of cedar. David is told, in effect, not to bother building a house for the Lord; rather, the Lord will make a house for him—a dynasty, the House of David. Not only will he have descendants (v. 12) who will sit upon the throne of Israel (v. 13), their rule will last forever (vv. 13, 16); and even if they transgress the Lord’s commands, the line of David will never be removed from kingship as Saul was (cf. 1 Sm 13; 15). The oracle establishes the Davidic king as standing in relationship to the Lord as a son to a father (v. 14; cf. Ps 2:7; 89:27). The Dynastic Oracle, with cognate texts in the Scriptures, is the basis for Jewish expectations of an anointed king (1 Sm 12:3, 5), son of David (Mt 21:9); cf. Acts 2:30; Hb 1:5.

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you(A) the one to build me a house to dwell in?(B) I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.(C) I have been moving from place to place with a tent(D) as my dwelling.(E) Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,(F) did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd(G) my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house(H) of cedar?(I)”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,(J) and appointed you ruler(K) over my people Israel.(L)

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12 (A)when your days have been completed and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, sprung from your loins, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He it is[a] who shall build a house for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever.

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Footnotes

  1. 7:13 He it is: Solomon, in the event.

12 When your days are over and you rest(A) with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood,(B) and I will establish his kingdom.(C) 13 He is the one who will build a house(D) for my Name,(E) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(F)

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