God’s Covenant with David
1 Now it came to passwhen the king was dwelling in his house, and theLordhad given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell ina house of cedar,but the ark of God dwells inside tentcurtains.”
3 Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all thatisin yourheart, for theLordiswith you.”
4 But it happened that night that the word of theLordcame to Nathan, saying,
5 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says theLord:“Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?
6 For I have not dwelt in a housesince the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about ina tent and in a tabernacle.
7 Wherever I havemoved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commandedto shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’
8 Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says theLordof hosts:“I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel.
9 AndI have been with you wherever you have gone,and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men whoareon the earth.
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and willplant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more;nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,
11 since the time that I commanded judgestobeover My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also theLordtells youthat He will make you a house.
12 “When your days are fulfilled and yourest with your fathers,I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for My name, and I willestablish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be his Father, and he shall beMy son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
15 But My mercy shall not depart from him,as I tookitfrom Saul, whom I removed from before you.
16 Andyour house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
17 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
David’s Thanksgiving to God
18 Then King David went in and sat before theLord; and he said:“WhoamI, O LordGod? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?
19 And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O LordGod; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come.Isthis the manner of man, O LordGod?
20 Now what more can David say to You? For You, LordGod,know Your servant.
21 For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant knowthem.
22 ThereforeYou are great, O LordGod. Forthereisnone like You, noristhereanyGod besides You, according to all that we have heard with ourears.
23 And whoislike Your people, like Israel,the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—beforeYour people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?
24 ForYou have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever;and You,Lord, have become their God.
25 “Now, OLordGod, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establishitforever and do as You have said.
26 So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘TheLordof hostsisthe God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.
27 For You, OLordof hosts, God of Israel, have revealedthisto Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.
28 “And now, O LordGod, You are God, andYour words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.
29 Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O LordGod, have spokenit,and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessedforever.”