2 Samuel 7

New King James Version

God’s Covenant with David^(A)

7 Now it came to pass^(B)when the king was dwelling in his house, and theLordhad given him rest from all his enemies all around,² that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in^(C)a house of cedar,^(D)but the ark of God dwells inside tent^(E)curtains.”

³ Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all thatisin your^(F)heart, for theLordiswith you.”

⁴ But it happened that night that the word of theLordcame to Nathan, saying,⁵ “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says theLord:^(G)“Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?⁶ For I have not dwelt in a house^(H)since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in^(I)a tent and in a tabernacle.⁷ Wherever I have^(J)moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded^(K)to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’⁸ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says theLordof hosts:^(L)“I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel.⁹ And^(M)I have been with you wherever you have gone,^(N)and have^[a]cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men whoareon the earth.¹⁰ Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will^(O)plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more;^(P)nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,^11 (Q)since the time that I commanded judgesto beover My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also theLord^[b]tells you^(R)that He will make you a^[c]house.

^12 (S)“When your days are fulfilled and you^(T)rest with your fathers,^(U)I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.^13 (V)He shall build a house for My name, and I will^(W)establish the throne of his kingdom forever.^14 (X)I will be his Father, and he shall be^(Y)My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the^[d]blows of the sons of men.¹⁵ But My mercy shall not depart from him,^(Z)as I tookitfrom Saul, whom I removed from before you.¹⁶ And^(AA)your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before^[e]you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

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

David’s Thanksgiving to God^(AB)

¹⁸ Then King David went in and sat before theLord; and he said:^(AC)“WhoamI, O LordGod? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?¹⁹ And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O LordGod; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come.^(AD)Isthis the manner of man, O LordGod?²⁰ Now what more can David say to You? For You, LordGod,^(AE)know Your servant.²¹ For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant knowthem.²² Therefore^(AF)You are great,^[f]O LordGod. For^(AG)there isnone like You, noris there anyGod besides You, according to all that we have heard with our^(AH)ears.²³ And whoislike Your people, like Israel,^(AI)the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before^(AJ)Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?²⁴ For^(AK)You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever;^(AL)and You,Lord, have become their God.

²⁵ “Now, OLordGod, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establishitforever and do as You have said.²⁶ So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘TheLordof hostsisthe God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.²⁷ For You, OLordof hosts, God of Israel, have revealedthisto Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.

²⁸ “And now, O LordGod, You are God, and^(AM)Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.²⁹ Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O LordGod, have spokenit,and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed^(AN)forever.”