2 Samuel 7:1-17

New International Version

God’s Promise to David^(A)

7 After the king was settled in his palace^(B) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies^(C) around him,^(D) ²he 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)

³Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind,^(H) go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

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

⁵“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) ⁶I 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) ⁷Wherever 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)”’

⁸“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) ⁹I 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) ¹⁰And 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 ¹¹and 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: ¹²When 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) ¹³He is the one who will build a house^(AJ) for my Name,^(AK) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^(AL) ¹⁴I 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. ¹⁵But my love will never be taken away from him,^(AP) as I took it away from Saul,^(AQ) whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me^[b]; your throne^(AR) will be established^(AS) forever.^(AT)’”