1. WHEN KING David dwelt in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,
2. 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. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.
4. That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
5. Go and tell My servant David, Thus says the Lord: Shall you build Me a house in which to dwell?
6. For I have not dwelt in a house since I brought the Israelites out of Egypt to this day, but have moved about with a tent for My dwelling.
7. In all the places where I have moved with all the Israelites, did I speak a word to any from the tribes of Israel whom I commanded to be shepherd of My people Israel, asking, Why do you not build Me a house of cedar?
8. So now say this to My servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over My people Israel.