[1] It happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him
rest from all his enemies round about, [2] that the king said to Nathan the
prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells
within curtains. [3] Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your
heart; for Yahweh is with you. [4] It happened the same night, that the
word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying, [5] Go and tell my servant David,
Thus says Yahweh, Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in? [6] for I
have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of
Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a
tent. [7] In all places in which I have walked with all the children of
Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded
to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a
house of cedar? [8] Now therefore thus shall you tell my servant David,
Thus says Yahweh of Hosts, I took you from the sheep pen, from following
the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel; [9] and I
have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies
from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the name of the
great ones who are in the earth. [10] I will appoint a place for my people
Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be
moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any
more, as at the first, [11] and [as] from the day that I commanded judges
to be over my people Israel; and I will cause you to rest from all your
enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house. [12]
When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will
set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I
will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build a house for my name, and I
will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. [14] I will be his
father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him
with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; [15] but
my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I
put away before you. [16] Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure
for ever before you: your throne shall be established forever. [17]
According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did
Nathan speak to David. [18] Then David the king went in, and sat before
Yahweh; and he said, Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you
have brought me thus far? [19] This was yet a small thing in your eyes,
Lord Yahweh; but you have spoken also of your servant`s house for a great
while to come; and this [too] after the manner of men, Lord Yahweh! [20]
What can David say more to you? for you know your servant, Lord Yahweh.
[21] For your word`s sake, and according to your own heart, have you worked
all this greatness, to make your servant know it. [22] Therefore you are
great, Yahweh God: for there is none like you, neither is there any God
besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. [23] What
one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God
went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make him a name, and to do
great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people,
whom you redeem to you out of Egypt, [from] the nations and their gods?
[24] You did establish to yourself your people Israel to be a people to you
forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. [25] Now, Yahweh God, the word
that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house,
confirm you it forever, and do as you have spoken. [26] Let your name be
magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of hosts is God over Israel; and the
house of your servant David shall be established before you. [27] For you,
Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying,
I will build you a house: therefore has your servant found in his heart to
pray this prayer to you. [28] Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your
words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant:
[29] now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant,
that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken
it: and with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed
forever.