Study Desk

God's Promise to David^(a)

After the king was settled in his palace^(b) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies^(c) around him,^(d)

he 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)

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

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

"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)

I 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)

Wherever 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)"'

"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)

I 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)

And 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

and 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:

When 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)

He is the one who will build a house^(aj) for my Name,^(ak) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^(al)

I 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.

But my love will never be taken away from him,^(ap) as I took it away from Saul,^(aq) whom I removed from before you.

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me^[b]; your throne^(ar) will be established^(as) forever.^(at)'"

Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord , and he said: "Who am I,^(av) Sovereign Lord , and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord , you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree,^(aw) Sovereign Lord , is for a mere human!^[c]

"What more can David say^(ax) to you? For you know^(ay) your servant,^(az) Sovereign Lord .

For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

"How great^(ba) you are,^(bb) Sovereign Lord ! There is no one like^(bc) you, and there is no God^(bd) but you, as we have heard with our own ears.^(be)

And who is like your people Israel^(bf)—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name^(bg) for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders^(bh) by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed^(bi) from Egypt?^[d]

You have established your people Israel as your very own^(bj) forever, and you, Lord , have become their God.^(bk)

"And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise^(bl) you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised,

so that your name^(bm) will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established^(bn) in your sight.

" Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.

Sovereign Lord , you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy,^(bo) and you have promised these good things to your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord , have spoken, and with your blessing^(bp) the house of your servant will be blessed forever."