Add parallel Print Page Options

David Wants to Build a Temple(A)

King David was living in his ·palace [L house], and the Lord had given him ·peace [L rest] from all his enemies ·around [L sur-rounding] him [Deut. 12:10; C apparently a sign that the conquest of Canaan was complete and the Temple should be built]. Then David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a ·palace [L house] made of cedar wood, but the Ark of God ·is [stays; dwells] in a tent!”

Nathan said to the king, “Go and do what you ·really want to do [L have in your mind/heart], because the Lord is with you.”

But that night the ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘·This is what the Lord says: ·Will you [Are you the one to] build a house for me to ·live [dwell] in? From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until ·now [L this day] I have not ·lived [dwelt] in a house. I have been moving around all this time with a tent ·as my home [or and a tabernacle]. As I have moved with the Israelites, ·I have never [L have I ever] said to ·the tribes [any of the tribal leaders], whom I commanded to ·take care of [shepherd] my people Israel, “Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?” ’

“You must tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: I took you from the pasture and from ·tending [following] the sheep and made you ·leader [ruler; prince] of my people Israel. I have been with you everywhere you have gone and have ·defeated [destroyed; L cut off] your enemies for you. I will make ·you as famous [L for you a name as great] as any of the great people on the earth. 10 Also I will ·choose [appoint; provide] a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them ·so they can live in their own homes [L to dwell in their own place]. They will not be bothered anymore. Wicked people will no longer ·bother [afflict; oppress] them as they have in the past 11 when I ·chose [appointed; commanded; instituted] judges for my people Israel. But I will give you ·peace [L rest] from all your enemies. ·I also tell you [L The Lord also declares] that ·I [L the Lord] will ·make your descendants kings of Israel after [L establish a house/dynasty for] you.

12 “‘When ·you die [L your days are complete/fulfilled/over] and ·join [you lie down/are buried with] your ancestors, I will ·make one of your sons the next king [L raise up your descendant/offspring after you; C Solomon; 1 Kin. 1–2], and I will ·set up [establish] his kingdom. 13 He will build a house [C the Temple; 1 Kin. 6–7] for ·me [L my name], and I will ·let his kingdom rule always [L establish the throne of his kingdom forever]. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son [Ps. 2:7]. When he ·sins [does wrong], I ·will use other people to punish him. They will be my whips [L …correct/discipline him with the rod of/used by men and the whippings/blows used by humans]. 15 I took away my ·love [favor; faithful love] from Saul, whom I removed before you, but I will never stop loving your son. 16 But your ·family [L house] and your kingdom will ·continue [endure] always before me. Your throne will ·last [L be established/secure] forever.’”

Read full chapter

God’s Promise to David(A)

After the king was settled in his palace(B) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies(C) around him,(D) he said to Nathan(E) the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house(F) of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”(G)

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind,(H) go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

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

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,(R) and appointed you ruler(S) over my people Israel.(T) I have been with you wherever you have gone,(U) and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.(V) Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.(W) 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant(X) them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.(Y) Wicked(Z) people will not oppress them anymore,(AA) as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[a](AB) over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.(AC)

“‘The Lord declares(AD) to you that the Lord himself will establish(AE) a house(AF) for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest(AG) with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood,(AH) and I will establish his kingdom.(AI) 13 He is the one who will build a house(AJ) for my Name,(AK) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(AL) 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son.(AM) When he does wrong, I will punish him(AN) with a rod(AO) wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him,(AP) as I took it away from Saul,(AQ) whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[b]; your throne(AR) will be established(AS) forever.(AT)’”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 7:11 Traditionally judges
  2. 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.

And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Read full chapter