1. King David was living in his palace. And the Lord gave him peace from all his enemies around him.
2. David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a palace made of cedar wood. But the Ark of the Covenant of God is still kept in a tent!”
3. Nathan said to the king, “Go and do what you really want to do. The Lord is with you.”
4. But that night the Lord spoke his word to Nathan. The Lord said,
5. “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the person to build a house for me to live in.
6. I did not live in a house when I brought the Israelites out of Egypt. I have been moving around all this time with a tent as my home.
7. I have continued to move with the tribes of Israel. But I have never asked their leaders who take care of them to build me a house of cedar wood.’
8. “You must tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: I took you from the pasture when you were following the sheep. I took you to become leader of my people, the Israelites.
9. I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I have defeated your enemies for you. I will make you as famous as any of the great men on the earth.
10. Also I will choose a place for my people, the Israelites. I will plant them so they can live in their own home. They will not be bothered anymore. Wicked people will no longer make them suffer as they have in the past.
11. Wicked people continued to do this even when I appointed judges. But I will give you peace from all your enemies. I also tell you that I will make your descendants kings of Israel after you.