4. That same night, the Lord’s word came to Nathan, saying,
5. “Go and tell my servant David, ‘the Lord says, “Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?
6. For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7. In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’
8. Now therefore tell my servant David this, ‘the Lord of Hosts says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.
9. I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
10. I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,
11. and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord tells you that the Lord will make you a house.
12. When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
15. but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
16. Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”
17. Nathan spoke to David all these words, and according to all this vision.
18. Then David the king went in, and sat before the Lord; and he said, “Who am I, Lord the Lord, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?
19. This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord GOD; but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this amongst men, Lord GOD!