Old Testament · 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 7

God’s Covenant with David

(1 Chronicles 17:1–15)

1And it came to pass, when the king dwelt in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies round about, 2that the king said to Nathan the prophet: "See now, I am dwelling in a house of cedars, but the ark of God is dwelling within the curtain."

3And Nathan said to the king: "All that is in your heart, go, do; for the LORD is with you."

4And it came to pass in that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: 5"Go and say to my servant, to David: Thus says the LORD: Will you build for me a house for me to dwell in? 6For I have not dwelt in a house from the day that I brought up the children of Israel from Egypt, even to this day, but I have been walking about in a tent and in a tabernacle^a. 7In all that I walked about among all the children of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded^b to shepherd my people Israel, saying: Why have you not built for me a house of cedars?

8And now, thus you shall say to my servant, to David: Thus says the LORD of hosts^c: I took you from the pasture, from after the flock, to be ruler over my people, over Israel. 9And I have been with you in all that you went, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones that are in the earth.

10And I will set a place for my people, for Israel, and I will plant them, and they shall dwell in their own place and tremble no more; and the sons of wickedness shall not continue to afflict them, as at the first, 11and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. And the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make for you a house. 12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, who shall come forth from your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to me for a son; whom, when he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men^d, and with the stripes of the sons of man^e;

15but my mercy shall not depart from him, as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you; your throne shall be established forever."

17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving

(1 Chronicles 17:16–27)

18And David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, the Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, the Lord GOD, and you have spoken also concerning the house of your servant for a great while to come; and this is the Torah of the man, the Lord GOD. 20And what can David add yet to speak to you? For you know your servant, the Lord GOD. 21For the sake of your word, and according to your heart, you have done all this greatness, to make your servant know it.

22Therefore you are great, the Lord GOD; for there is none like you, and there is no God beside you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23And who is like your people, like Israel, one nation in the earth, whom God went to redeem for himself for a people, and to make for himself a name, and to do for you the great thing and awesome things for your land, from before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, nations and their gods? 24And you established for yourself your people Israel for yourself to be a people forever; and you, O LORD, became their God.

25And now, the LORD God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, raise up forever, and do as you have spoken. 26And let your name be great forever, saying: the LORD of hosts is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you. 27For you, the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to the ear of your servant, saying: A house I will build for you; therefore your servant has found his heart to pray to you this prayer.

28And now, the Lord GOD, you are he, the God, and your words are truth, and you have spoken to your servant this good thing. 29And now, be pleased and bless the house of your servant, to be forever before you; for you, the Lord GOD, have spoken it, and from your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever."