Study Desk

Nathan answered, "Do whatever you have in mind, because God is with you."

But that night God said to Nathan,

Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.

Then King David went into the Tent of the Lord 's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.

Yet now you are doing even more; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come, and you, Lord God, are already treating me like someone great.

Lord , there is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God.

You have made Israel your own people forever, and you, Lord , have become their God.

Your fame will be great, and people will forever say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel.' And you will preserve my dynasty for all time.

I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, my God, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings.

You, Lord , are God, and you have made this wonderful promise to me.

Be strong and courageous! Let's fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord 's will be done."

God was displeased with what had been done, so he punished Israel.

David said to God, "I have committed a terrible sin in doing this! Please forgive me. I have acted foolishly."

David prayed, "O God, I am the one who did wrong. I am the one who ordered the census. What have these poor people done? Lord , my God, punish me and my family, and spare your people."

but David was not able to go there to worship God, because he was afraid of the sword of the Lord 's angel.

So David said, "This is where the Temple of the Lord God will be. Here is the altar where the people of Israel are to offer burnt offerings."

He sent for his son Solomon and commanded him to build a temple for the Lord , the God of Israel.

David said to him, "Son, I wanted to build a temple to honor the Lord my God.

David continued, "Now, son, may the Lord your God be with you, and may he keep his promise to make you successful in building a temple for him.

And may the Lord your God give you insight and wisdom so that you may govern Israel according to his Law.