Open English Translation 2SA Chapter 7

7 Then the king moved into his palace, and Yahweh allowed him to have a time of peace from all his enemies. 2 One day the king said to the prophet Natan, “Look, I’m here living in a house made of cedar, but God’s box is still there in a tent.”

3 “Go and do whatever you consider best,” Natan replied, “because Yahweh is with you.” 4 But that night, Yahweh spoke to Natan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David that Yahweh says, ‘Will you build a house for me to live in? 6 I haven’t lived in a house since I brought the Israelis out of Egypt right up until now, but rather I was living in a tent as they moved around. 7 In all those places, I never once queried the leaders to ask why they never built a cedar house for me.’

8 “But now you should tell my servant David that commander Yahweh says, ‘I myself took you out of the grass field where you looked after the sheep and goats to become the leader of my people the Israelis. 9 Everywhere you’ve gone, I’ve been with you and destroyed your enemies in front of you, and I will make you famous like all the famous people on the earth. 10 I will establish a place for the Israelis and put them there to live, and they won’t be afraid because evil people won’t continue to oppress them like happened in the past 11 when I appointed heroes (traditionally ‘judges’) over my people Israel. I will give you peace from all your enemies, and I, Yahweh, will enable your descendants to rule after you. 12 when your time on earth comes to an end and you’re laid down with your ancestors, I will appoint one of your sons to be king and I will establish his kingdom.[ref] 13 He’s the one who’ll build a temple for me, and I will make his descendents reign forever. 14 I myself will become like a father to him, and he’ll become like a son to me. When he disobeys, I’ll punish him like fathers punish their sons.[ref] 15 But my kindness won’t turn away from you like I turned away from Sha’ul—the one who I removed ahead of you. 16 Your descendants and your kingdom will remain forever. Your throne will be established forever.’ ”[ref]

17 So Natan passed all of that onto David, 18 and King David went and sat in front of Yahweh and said, “Who am I, my master Yahweh, and how important is my family that you have brought me to this point? 19 But that was just minor to you, my master Yahweh. You also spoke about the distant future for my descendants. 20 What more can I, David say to you? But my master Yahweh, you yourself know your servant. 21 You’ve done all these incredible things in order to fulfil what you said and to fulfil your own desires, and then revealed them to your servant. 22 That’s why you’re incredible, Yahweh my God, and so there’s no one like you. There’s no God except you—that’s what we keep hearing about. 23 What other nation is like your people, Israel—one nation on the earth that you went to redeem for yourself as a people—rescuing you from Egypt and its gods? You made a reputation for yourself and did amazing and scary things for your nation in front of your people[ref] 24 You established us Israelis as your own people forever, and you yourself Yahweh became our God.

25 “And now, Yahweh God, the promise you made concerning your servant and his descendants, and do just as you have spoken and make it come true into the future. 26 May your reputation be good forever, with people saying, ‘Commander Yahweh is God over Israel,’ and the dynasty of your servant David will be established under you. 27 For you, commander Yahweh are Israel’s God. You have told your servant, ‘I will build a dynasty for you.’ That’s why your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer.

28 “So now, my master Yahweh, you are God, and you do what you say, and you have said these good things concerning your servant. 29 Now, if it pleases you, bless your servant’s extended family forever, because you yourself, my master Yahweh, have spoken, and from your blessing, your servant’s family will be blessed forever.”