Nathan Delivers The Covenant Promise

1When the king was living in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest on every side from all his enemies,

2And the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.”

3And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you.”

4But that night the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,

5Go and say to my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh: Would you build a house for me to dwell in?’

6For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought up the sons of Israel out of Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and in a tabernacle.

7In all the places where I have walked among all the sons of Israel, did I ever speak a word to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’

8Now therefore, this is what you shall say to my servant David: This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be ruler over my people, over Israel.

9And I was with you wherever you went, and I cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.

10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And the sons of wickedness shall no longer afflict them, as formerly.

11and from the day that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I have given you rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also declares to you that Yahweh will make a house for you.

12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

14I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of man.

15But my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

17According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.