2 Samuel Chapter 7
God’s Promise to David
1 The king was living in his palace, and Yahveh had given him rest from his enemies. 2 He told Nathan the prophet, “I live in a cedar palace, but God’s Ark sits in tent curtains.”
3 Nathan said, “Do everything you’re thinking; Yahveh’s with you.”
4 But that night a message from Yahveh came to him,
5 “Go tell my servant David, ‘Yahveh says, “Are you the one that should build me a temple? 6 I haven’t lived in a temple since I brought Israel out of Egypt. I’ve moved around in a tent, a Tabernacle. 7 Wherever I’ve gone with Israel, did I ever say to any judge that I commanded to shepherd my people, ‘Why haven’t you built me a cedar temple?’”’
8 “Tell David, ‘I took you out of the pasture from following sheep, to make you ruler over Israel. 9 I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone and got rid of your enemies. I’ll make you as famous as anyone that’s ever lived in the world. 10 I’ll appoint a place to plant my people so they can live there undisturbed, and sinful people won’t oppress them anymore. 11 Like when I appointed judges over them, I’ll give you rest from your enemies.’
“Yahveh also says he’ll make a dynasty from you. 12-13 ‘When you die, I’ll raise up your descendant and establish his kingdom permanently. 13 He’ll build me a temple. 14 I’ll be his father, and he’ll be my son. When he sins, I’ll correct him with rods like people do. 15 But my enduring love won’t leave him like it did Saul, that I removed before you. 16 Your family and kingdom will endure. I’ll establish your dynasty permanently.’”
2 Sam 7:1-16
17 Nathan told David those things about the vision.
David’s Prayer
18 David went in and sat in Yahveh’s presence,
“Who am I, Lord Yahveh, and what’s my family that you’ve brought me this far? 19 Yet it wasn’t a great thing to you, because you’ve also talked about my family far into the future according to human custom. 20 What more can I tell you? You know me, Lord Yahveh! 21 For your word and according to your heart, you’ve shown how great you are in letting me know. 22 That’s why you’re great. There’s nobody like you, no God besides you that we’ve heard of. 23 What nation is like Israel that you went to redeem for yourself, to make a name for yourself, to do a great thing for yourself and awesome things for your land, in front of the people you’ve redeemed from Egypt, from nations and their gods? 24 You’ve established your people forever and become their God. 25 So confirm forever what you’ve said about me and my family. Do it 26 so you can be honored forever by saying, ‘Yahveh of Hosts is Israel’s God.’ 27 You’ve revealed to me that you’ll build me into a dynasty; so I’ve found the courage to offer this prayer. 28 You’re God, your words are true, your promise is good. 29 Bless my family so it can continue permanently like you’ve said.”
2 Sam 7:17-29