God Makes a Promise to David

17:1 When David had settled into his palace,1 he2 said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a palace3 made from cedar, while the ark of the Lord’s covenant is under a tent.”4 17:2 Nathan said to David, “You should do whatever you have in mind,5 for God is with you.”

17:3 That night God told Nathan the prophet,6 17:4 “Go, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord says: “You must not build me a house in which to live. 17:5 For I have not lived in a house from the time I brought Israel up from Egypt7 to the present day. I have lived in a tent that has been in various places.8 17:6 Wherever I moved throughout Israel, I did not say9 to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel,10 ‘Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?’ ” ’

17:7 “So now, say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord who commands armies11 says: “I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd12 to make you a leader of my people Israel. 17:8 I was with you wherever you went and I defeated13 all your enemies before you. Now I will make you as famous as the great men of the earth.14 17:9 I will establish a place for my people Israel and settle15 them there; they will live there and not be disturbed16 anymore. Violent men will not oppress them again, as they did in the beginning17 17:10 and during the time when I appointed judges to lead my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies.

“ ‘ “I declare to you that the Lord will build a dynastic house18 for you! 17:11 When the time comes for you to die,19 I will raise up your descendant,20 one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. 17:12 He will build me a house, and I will make his dynasty permanent.21 17:13 I will become his father and he will become my son. I will never withhold my loyal love from him, as I withheld it from the one who ruled before you.22 17:14 I will put him in permanent charge of my house and my kingdom; his dynasty will be permanent.” ’ ”23 17:15 Nathan told David all these words that were revealed to him.24