2 Samuel 7:1-13

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Lord’s Covenant with David

7 When the king had settled into his palace^(A) and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, ² the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a cedar house while the ark of God sits inside tent curtains.”^(B)

³ So Nathan told the king, “Go and do all that is on your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

⁴ But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: ⁵ “Go to My servant David and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you to build a house for Me to live in?^{(C) 6} From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not lived in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as My dwelling.^{(D) 7} In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked anyone among the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel: Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

⁸ “Now this is what you are to say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep to be ruler over My people Israel.^{(E) 9} I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a name for you like that of the greatest in the land.^{(F) 10} I will establish a place for My people Israel and plant them,^(G) so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not afflict them as they have done ¹¹ ever since the day I ordered judges to be over My people Israel.^(H) I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord Himself will make a house for you. ¹² When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.^{(I) 13} He will build a house for My name,^(J) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^(K)