3But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
4“Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.
5For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
6Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’
7Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.
8And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth.
9Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,
10since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house.
11And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.
13I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.
14And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
15According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
