1When the king was living in his palace, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2the king said to Nathan the prophet, "Look now, I live in a palace made of cedar, but God's sacred chest is housed within curtains."
3Nathan said to the king, "Go and do everything you have in mind, because Yahweh is with you."
4That same night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, saying,
5"Go and tell my servant David, 'Yahweh says: Should you build a house for me to live in?'
6For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought the people of Israel up out of Egypt, even until today. Instead, I have moved around in a tent and a tabernacle.
7In all the places I have traveled with all the people of Israel, did I say a single word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherds of my people Israel, saying, 'Why haven't you built me a house of cedar?'"
8Now therefore tell my servant David this: 'Yahweh of Armies says, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel."
9I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make your name great, like the names of the great people on earth.
10I will designate a place for my people Israel and plant them there, so they can live in their own place and not be disturbed anymore. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning,
11just as I did from the day I appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. Furthermore, Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will establish a dynasty for you.
12When your life comes to an end and you join your ancestors, I will raise up your descendant to succeed you, one who will come from your own body, and I will make his kingdom secure.
13He will build a temple for my Name, and I will make his royal throne solid forever.
14I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with blows from human hands.
15But my faithful love will never leave him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.’ ”
17Nathan told David all these words and the entire vision.
18Then King David went in and sat before Yahweh, and said, “Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
19Yet, Lord Yahweh, this was still a small thing to you. You have also spoken about the future of your servant’s house for a long time to come. And this is how you deal with people, Lord Yahweh!
20What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord Yahweh.
21Because of your word and according to your own heart, you have done all these great things, to make them known to your servant.
22Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to everything we have heard with our own ears.
23What other nation on earth is like your people Israel, whom God went out to redeem as his own people, to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome deeds for them and for your land, before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, from other nations and their gods?
24You established your people Israel as your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God.
25Now, Yahweh God, confirm forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you have spoken.
26Let your name be honored forever, so that people will say, ‘Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you.
27For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have clearly told your servant, ‘I will build you a house.’ That is why your servant has been bold enough to offer this prayer to you.
28“Now, Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
29Now therefore, please bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it, and with your blessing, the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”