2 Samuel 7
The Voice
David’s dancing is part of the celebration and ritual involved with bringing the covenant chest into the city, part of a sacred party where in addition to ritual sacrifice and shouts of joy and playing the trumpet, all of the people feast. As the anointed king of Israel, David could behave with reserve and dignity—which his wife, Saul’s daughter Michal, apparently thinks most fitting in a king—but perhaps it is more fitting for the king God has placed on the throne to join in the worship and celebration welcoming God into their city and into their lives. David tells Michal that he doesn’t care how other people react to his worship and praise of God, for in his own eyes—and in the eyes of the faithful—he has done what is right.
7 Now when the king was settled in his house and the Eternal had given him rest from battling all his enemies, 2 he spoke to the prophet Nathan.
David: Look at this: I live in a beautiful palace made of cedar, but the covenant chest of the True God rests in a tent made of curtains.
Nathan: 3 Go do whatever you’re planning to do, for the Eternal One is with you.
4 But that same night, the Eternal spoke to Nathan.
Eternal One: 5 Go and tell My servant David this message is from the Eternal One: “Are you the person who will build a house for Me to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since I brought My people Israel up from Egypt, but have moved around all this time in a tent, even in the congregation tent. 7 Wherever My travels with the people of Israel have taken Me, did I ever go to one of the tribal leaders who were the shepherds for My sheep and ask, ‘Why haven’t you made Me a house of cedar to live in?’”
8 So now you shall tell David, My servant this message is from the Eternal One, the Commander of heavenly armies: “I took you from the pastures where you followed sheep and made you king of all My people Israel so you now lead My sheep. 9 I have been with you wherever you journeyed and have given you victory over your enemies; and I will make you highly respected, with a name as great as any who live on earth. 10-11 And I will select a place for My people Israel and plant them firmly in that place, a land they can call their own, a land of peace. The wicked will not bother them again as they did from the time I appointed the judges to govern My people, and I will give you rest from fighting your enemies.
More importantly, I, the Eternal swear to you that I will raise up a dynasty from your family. 12 When you come to the end of your days, and you leave this life to lie down with your fathers, I will raise up from you a descendant, your own flesh and blood, and I will make his kingdom and family sure. 13 He will be the one to build a temple honoring My name, and I will establish the leadership of his kingdom for all time. 14 I will be to him a father, and he will be to Me a son.[a] When he crosses the line and acts badly, I will teach him with a rod used by people for correction and a lash for discipline. 15 But I will not withdraw My love from him as I did from Saul, whom I set aside in favor of you. 16 Your dynasty, your kingdom, will stand perpetually in My sight; your descendants will rule continually.”
17 Nathan did as He had told him and related this vision to David. 18 Then King David was strongly moved and went into the presence of the Eternal.
David: Who am I, O Eternal Lord, and what is my family that You have raised me so high? 19 You have spoken of this as though it were a tiny thing, simple, O Eternal Lord. You have also talked about the future of Your servant’s family and kingdom, a great future stretching off into the distance. This, O Eternal Lord, is Your instruction for humanity. 20 What can I say to You? You know Your servant inside and out, O Eternal Lord. 21 Because You promised it and it pleased You, You have made these amazing things happen, so that Your servant might know You are behind it. 22 So You are great, O Eternal Lord. No one else like You exists, and there is no god greater than You, as we should know from everything we have heard.
23 And who is like Your people, Israel? Is there another nation on the earth where God went to redeem them from Egypt and to distinguish Himself with awe-inspiring deeds of power by driving other nations and their false gods out of their path? 24 You chose to take Israel as Your people perpetually; and You, Eternal One, chose to be their God.
25 So yes, Eternal God, take the words You have spoken about me, Your servant, and my family and kingdom, and make them true perpetually. Do what You have promised. 26 Then Your name will be revered forever in the words, “The Eternal One, the Commander of heavenly armies, is the God over Israel,” and the dynasty of Your servant David will be established before You. 27 For You, O Eternal God, the Commander of heavenly armies, the God of Israel, have shown me what You intend, saying, “I will establish your dynasty,” and that is why I have found the courage to pray this prayer in Your presence. 28 O Eternal Lord, You are the True God, and Your words are always true, and You have made this good promise to me, Your servant. 29 So may it please You to continue to bless me, my family, and my kingdom so that my dynasty may be continually before Your sight. For You, O Eternal Lord, have spoken; and with Your blessing, my descendants and kingdom will always be blessed.
Footnotes
2 Samuel 7
GOD’S WORD Translation
David’s Wish to Build a House for God(A)
7 While King David was living in his house, the Lord gave him peace with all his enemies around him. 2 So the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look, I’m living in a house made of cedar, while the ark of God remains in the tent.”
3 Nathan told the king, “Do everything you have in mind, because the Lord is with you.”
4 But that same night the Lord spoke his word to Nathan: 5 “Say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one who will build me a house to live in? 6 I haven’t lived in a house from the day I took Israel out of Egypt to this day. Instead, I moved around in a tent, the tent ⌞of meeting⌟. 7 In all the places I’ve moved with all the Israelites, did I ever ask any of the judges [a] of Israel whom I ordered to be shepherds of my people Israel why they didn’t build me a house of cedar?’
8 “Now this is what you will say to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep so that you could be the leader of my people Israel. 9 I was with you wherever you went, and I destroyed all your enemies in front of you. I will make your name famous like the names of the greatest people on earth. 10 I will make a place for my people Israel and plant them there. They will live in their own place and not be troubled anymore. The wicked will no longer oppress them as they used to do 11 ever since I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. So I will give you peace with all your enemies. I, the Lord, tell you that I will make a house for you.
12 “ ‘When the time comes for you to lie down in death with your ancestors, I will send one of your descendants, ⌞one⌟ who will come from you. 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 sins, I will punish him with a rod and with blows inflicted by people. 15 But I will never stop showing him my love as I did to Saul, whom I took out of your way. 16 Your royal house will remain in my presence [b] forever. Your throne will be established forever.’ ”
17 Nathan told David all these words and everything he had seen.
18 King David went into the tent and sat in front of the Lord. “Who am I, Almighty Lord,” he asked, “and why is my house so important that you have brought me this far? 19 And even this you consider to be a small act, Almighty Lord. You’ve also spoken about the distant future of my house. Almighty Lord, this is the teaching about the man.
20 “What more can I, David, say to you, Almighty Lord, since you know me so well! 21 You’ve done this great thing because of your promise and your own desire. You made it known to me.
22 “That is why you are great, Lord God. There is no one like you, and there is no other god except you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 Who is like your people Israel? It is the one nation on earth that God came to free in order to make its people his own, to make his name [c] known, and to do great and wonderful things for them. You forced [d] nations and their gods out of the way of your people, whom you freed from Egypt to be your own. 24 You created the people of Israel to be your people forever. And you, Lord, became their God.
25 “Now, Lord God, keep the promise you made to me and my house forever. Do as you promised. 26 Your name will be respected forever when ⌞people⌟ say, ‘The Lord of Armies is God over Israel.’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your presence. 27 You, Lord of Armies, God of Israel, have revealed it especially to me, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ That is why I have found the courage to offer this prayer to you.
28 “Almighty Lord, you are God, and your words are trustworthy. You promised me this good thing. 29 Now, please bless my house so that it may continue in your presence forever. Indeed, you, Almighty Lord, have promised it. With your blessing my house will be blessed forever.”
Footnotes
- 7:7 1 Chronicles 17:6; Masoretic Text “tribes.”
- 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Greek, Latin, Syriac; other Hebrew manuscripts “in your presence.”
- 7:23 Or “its name.”
- 7:23 Greek and 1 Chronicles 17:21; Masoretic Text “Your land.”
2 Samuel 7
The Message
God’s Covenant with David
7 1-2 Before long, the king made himself at home and God gave him peace from all his enemies. Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Chest of God sits in a plain tent.”
3 Nathan told the king, “Whatever is on your heart, go and do it. God is with you.”
4-7 But that night, the word of God came to Nathan saying, “Go and tell my servant David: This is God’s word on the matter: You’re going to build a ‘house’ for me to live in? Why, I haven’t lived in a ‘house’ from the time I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt till now. All that time I’ve moved about with nothing but a tent. And in all my travels with Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’
8-11 “So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you. Now I’m making you famous, to be ranked with the great names on earth. And I’m going to set aside a place for my people Israel and plant them there so they’ll have their own home and not be knocked around any more. Nor will evil men afflict you as they always have, even during the days I set judges over my people Israel. Finally, I’m going to give you peace from all your enemies.
11-16 “Furthermore, God has this message for you: God himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I’ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule permanently. I’ll be a father to him, and he’ll be a son to me. When he does wrong, I’ll discipline him in the usual ways, the pitfalls and obstacles of this mortal life. But I’ll never remove my gracious love from him, as I removed it from Saul, who preceded you and whom I most certainly did remove. Your family and your kingdom are permanently secured. I’m keeping my eye on them! And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid.”
17 Nathan gave David a complete and accurate account of everything he heard and saw in the vision.
18-21 King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming, for you’ve also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow, my Master God! What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it.
22-24 “This is what makes you so great, Master God! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears. And who is like your people, like Israel, a nation unique in the earth, whom God set out to redeem for himself (and became most famous for it), performing great and fearsome acts, throwing out nations and their gods left and right as you saved your people from Egypt? You established for yourself a people—your very own Israel!—your people permanently. And you, God, became their God.
25-27 “So now, great God, this word that you have spoken to me and my family, guarantee it permanently! Do exactly what you’ve promised! Then your reputation will flourish always as people exclaim, ‘The God-of-the-Angel-Armies is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will remain sure and solid in your watchful presence. For you, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, told me plainly, ‘I will build you a house.’ That’s how I was able to find the courage to pray this prayer to you.
28-29 “And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!”
2 Samuel 7
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Lord’s Covenant with David
7 When the king had settled into his palace(A) and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a cedar house while the ark of God sits inside tent curtains.”(B)
3 So Nathan told the king, “Go and do all that is on your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 “Go to My servant David and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you to build a house for Me to live in?(C) 6 From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not lived in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as My dwelling.(D) 7 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked anyone among the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel: Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’
8 “Now this is what you are to say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep to be ruler over My people Israel.(E) 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a name for you like that of the greatest in the land.(F) 10 I will establish a place for My people Israel and plant them,(G) so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not afflict them as they have done 11 ever since the day I ordered judges to be over My people Israel.(H) I will give you rest from all your enemies.
“‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord Himself will make a house for you. 12 When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.(I) 13 He will build a house for My name,(J) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(K) 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me.(L) When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod and with blows from others. 15 But My faithful love will never leave him(M) as I removed it from Saul; I removed him from your way.(N) 16 Your house and kingdom will endure before Me[a] forever,(O) and your throne will be established forever.’”(P)
17 Nathan spoke all these words and this entire vision to David.
David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
18 Then King David went in,(Q) sat in the Lord’s presence, and said,
Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? 19 What You have done so far[b] was a little thing to You, Lord God, for You have also spoken about Your servant’s house in the distant future. And this is a revelation[c] for mankind, Lord God. 20 What more can David say to You? You know Your servant,(R) Lord God. 21 Because of Your word and according to Your will, You have revealed all these great things to Your servant.
22 This is why You are great,(S) Lord God. There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You,(T) as all we have heard confirms. 23 And who is like Your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for Himself, to make a name for Himself, and to perform for them[d] great and awesome acts, driving out nations and their gods before Your people You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.(U) 24 You established Your people Israel to be Your own people forever, and You, Lord, have become their God.(V)
25 Now, Lord God, fulfill the promise forever that You have made to Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised, 26 so that Your name will be exalted forever, when it is said, “The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel.” The house of Your servant David(W) will be established before You 27 since You, Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, “I will build a house for you.” Therefore, Your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 Lord God, You are God; Your words are true, and You have promised this grace to Your servant. 29 Now, please bless Your servant’s house so that it will continue before You forever. For You, Lord God, have spoken, and with Your blessing Your servant’s house will be blessed forever.(X)
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read you
- 2 Samuel 7:19 Lit Yet this
- 2 Samuel 7:19 Or custom, or instruction
- 2 Samuel 7:23 Some Hb mss, Tg, Vg, Syr; other Hb mss read you
2 Samuel 7
New American Standard Bible
David Plans to Build a Temple
7 (A)Now it came about, when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to (B)Nathan the prophet, “See now, I live in (C)a house of cedar, but the ark of God (D)remains within the tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “(E)Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But in the same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “(F)Should you build Me a house for My dwelling? 6 For (G)I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; rather, I have been moving about (H)in a tent, that is, in a dwelling place. 7 (I)Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, (J)whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’
God’s Covenant with David
8 Now then, this is what you shall say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “(K)I Myself took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, (L)to be leader over My people Israel. 9 And (M)I have been with you wherever you have gone, and (N)have eliminated all your enemies from you; I will also make a great name for you, like the names of the great men who [a]are on the earth. 10 And I will establish a place for My people Israel, and (O)will plant them, so that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, (P)nor will [b]malicious people oppress them anymore as previously, 11 even (Q)from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and (R)I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that (S)the Lord will make a house for you. 12 (T)When your days are finished and you [c](U)lie down with your fathers, (V)I will raise up your [d]descendant after you, who will come from [e]you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 (W)He shall build a house for My name, and (X)I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 (Y)I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; (Z)when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind, 15 but My favor shall not depart from him, (AA)as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you. 16 (AB)Your house and your kingdom shall endure before [f]Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17 In accordance with all these words and all of this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
David’s Prayer
18 Then David the king came in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “(AC)Who am I, Lord [g]God, and who are the members of my household, that You have brought me this far? 19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, Lord God, (AD)for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant regarding the distant future. And (AE)this is the [h]custom of mankind, Lord God. 20 Again what more can David say to You? For (AF)You know Your servant, Lord God! 21 (AG)For the sake of Your word, and according to Your heart, You have done all this greatness, to let Your servant know. 22 For this reason (AH)You are great, Lord God; for (AI)there is no one like You, and there is no God except You, (AJ)according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And (AK)what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, and to make a name for Himself, and (AL)to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, [i]because of (AM)Your people whom (AN)You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from other nations and their gods? 24 For (AO)You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and (AP)You, Lord, have become their God. 25 Now then, Lord God, the word that You have spoken about Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do just as You have spoken, 26 (AQ)so that Your name may be great forever, by saying, ‘The Lord of armies is God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 For You, Lord of armies, God of Israel, have [j]given a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘(AR)I will build you a house’; therefore Your servant has found [k]courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 Now then, Lord God, You are God, and (AS)Your words are truth; and You have [l]promised this good thing to Your servant. 29 And now, may [m]it please You to bless the house of Your servant, so that it may continue forever before You. For You, Lord God, have spoken; and [n](AT)with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 7:9 Or were
- 2 Samuel 7:10 Lit sons of malice
- 2 Samuel 7:12 I.e., die
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Lit seed
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Lit your bowels
- 2 Samuel 7:16 As in LXX and some ancient mss; MT you
- 2 Samuel 7:18 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
- 2 Samuel 7:19 Or law
- 2 Samuel 7:23 Or before Your
- 2 Samuel 7:27 Lit uncovered the ear of
- 2 Samuel 7:27 Lit his heart
- 2 Samuel 7:28 Lit spoken
- 2 Samuel 7:29 Lit You be resolved and bless
- 2 Samuel 7:29 Lit from
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