2 Samuel 7:4-17
Lexham English Bible
4 But it happened that night,[a] the word of Yahweh came[b] to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh: “Are you the one to build for me a house for my dwelling? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought up the Israelites[c] from Egypt until this day; rather, I was going about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 In all of my going about among all the Israelites,[d] did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why did you not build me a cedar house?’”’ 8 So then, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts, “I took you from the pasture from following[e] the sheep to be a leader over my people, over Israel, 9 and I have been with you everywhere you went.[f] I have cut off all of your enemies from in front of you, and I will make a great name for you, as the name of the great ones who are on the earth. 10 I will make a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them[g] so that they[h] can dwell in their own place.[i] They will not tremble any longer, and the children of wickedness will not afflict them again, as in the former days. 11 In the manner that[j] I appointed judges over my people Israel, I will give you rest from all your enemies. And Yahweh declares to you that Yahweh will build a house for you. 12 When your days are full and you lie down with your ancestors,[k] I will raise up your offspring after you who will go out from 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 a father to him, and he will be a son for me, whom I will punish when he does wrong, with a rod of men and with blows of the human beings.[l] 15 But my loyal love shall not depart from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before you; your throne shall be established forever.”’”
David Responds to Yahweh’s Covenant
17 According to all these words and according to all this vision, this Nathan spoke to David.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 7:4 Literally “in the night the that”
- 2 Samuel 7:4 Hebrew “was”
- 2 Samuel 7:6 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
- 2 Samuel 7:7 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
- 2 Samuel 7:8 Literally “from behind”
- 2 Samuel 7:9 Literally “in all that you went”
- 2 Samuel 7:10 Hebrew “him”
- 2 Samuel 7:10 Hebrew “he”
- 2 Samuel 7:10 Literally “under him”
- 2 Samuel 7:11 Literally “And as far as” or “And from the day”
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Or “fathers”
- 2 Samuel 7:14 Literally “children of men”
2 Samuel 7:4-17
International Standard Version
4 But later that same night, this message came to Nathan from the Lord:
5 “Go tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says:
“‘“Are you going to build a house[a] for me to inhabit? 6 After all, I haven’t lived in a house since the day I brought up the Israelis from Egypt until now. Instead, I’ve moved around in a tent that served as my[b] dwelling place. 7 Wherever I moved among the Israelis, did I ever ask even one tribal leader[c] of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built me a cedar house?’
8 “‘“Now therefore this is what you are to tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies says: “I took you from the pasture myself—from tending sheep—to become Commander-in-Chief[d] over my people, that is, over Israel.
9 “‘“Furthermore, I have remained with you everywhere you have gone, annihilating all your enemies right in front of you. I will make a great reputation[e] for you, like the reputation[f] of great ones who have lived on[g] earth. 10 I will establish a homeland[h] for my people—for Israel—planting them so they may live in a secure location where they will never be disturbed anymore. Wicked people[i] will no longer afflict them, as happened in the past 11 when I had commanded judges to administer[j] my people Israel. I’ll also grant you relief from all your enemies.”’
“‘The Lord also announces to you: “The Lord will himself build a house[k] for you. 12 When your life[l] is complete and you go to join[m] your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring[n] after you, who will come forth from your body,[o] and I will fortify his kingdom. 13 He will build a Temple dedicated to my Name, and I will make the throne of his kingdom last forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be to me a son who, when he commits iniquity, I will discipline with the rod wielded by armies[p] and with wounds inflicted by human beings.[q] 15 But I’ll never remove my gracious love from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed from your presence. 16 Your dynasty and your kingdom will remain forever in my presence—your throne will be secure forever.”’”
17 Nathan communicated this complete oracle to David with precisely these words.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 7:5 I.e. a temple, and so throughout the chapter
- 2 Samuel 7:6 Lit. tent and
- 2 Samuel 7:7 Lit. ask the tribes
- 2 Samuel 7:8 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority
- 2 Samuel 7:9 Lit. name
- 2 Samuel 7:9 Lit. name
- 2 Samuel 7:9 The Heb. lacks have lived
- 2 Samuel 7:10 Lit. place
- 2 Samuel 7:10 Lit. Children of wickedness
- 2 Samuel 7:11 Lit. judges over
- 2 Samuel 7:11 I.e. a dynasty
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Lit. days
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Lit. you rest with
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Lit. seed; MT is sing.
- 2 Samuel 7:12 Lit. your inward parts
- 2 Samuel 7:14 Lit. men
- 2 Samuel 7:14 Lit. by children of Adam
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