God’s Covenant with David

(2 Samuel 7:1–17)

17 After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

2 And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that [is] in your heart, for God is with you.”

3 But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying,4 “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build Me a house in which to dwell.5 For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up [out of Egypt][fn] until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling.6 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any [of the] leaders[fn] I appointed to shepherd My people, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’

7 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

9 And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning10 and [have done] since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies.

Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you.11 And when your days are fulfilled and you go [to be] with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.12 He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever.13 I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And {I will} never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed [it] from your predecessor.14 But I will set him over My house and My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.”

15 So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire revelation.