2 Samuel 7:1-9 ▼

1 When the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies,

2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look, I am living in a cedar house while the ark of God sits inside tent curtains.”

3 So Nathan told the king, “Go and do all that is on your mind, for the LORD is with you.”

4 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan:

5 “Go to my servant David and say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you to build me a house to dwell in?

6 From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as my dwelling.

7 In all my journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever spoken a word to one of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar? ’

8 “So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a great name for you like that of the greatest on the earth.