2 Samuel 7:8–16

⁸“So tell my servant David, ‘The Lord who rules over all says, “I took you away from the grasslands. That’s where you were taking care of your father’s sheep and goats. I made you ruler over my people Israel. ⁹I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I cut off all of your enemies when you were attacking them.

“ ‘ “Now I will make you famous. Your name will be just as respected as the names of the most important people on earth. ¹⁰I will provide a place where my people Israel can live. I will plant them in the land. Then they will have a home of their own. They will not be bothered anymore. Evil people will no longer crush them, as they did at first. ¹¹That is what your enemies have done ever since I appointed leaders over my people Israel. But I will give you peace and rest from all of them.

“ ‘ “I tell you that I myself will set up a royal house for you. ¹²Some day your life will come to an end. You will join the members of your family who have already died. Then I will make one of your own sons the next king after you. And I will make his kingdom secure. ¹³He is the one who will build a house where I will put my Name.

“ ‘ “I will set up the throne of his kingdom. It will last forever. ¹⁴I will be his father. And he will be my son. When he does what is wrong, I will use other men to beat him with rods and whips. ¹⁵I took my love away from Saul. I removed him from being king. You were there when I did it. But I will never take my love away from your son.

¹⁶“ ‘ “Your royal house and your kingdom will last forever in my sight. Your throne will last forever.” ’ ”