“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in.

“You must say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: I chose you while you were out in the pasture following the sheep. I took you from that job and made you the leader of my people, the Israelites.

Nathan Tells David About His Sin

Then Nathan said to David, “You are that rich man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I chose you to be the king of Israel. I saved you from Saul.

“This is what the Lord says: ‘I am bringing trouble against you. This trouble will come from your own family. I will take your wives from you and give them to someone who is very close to you. He will have sexual relations with your wives, and everyone will know it!

Maybe the Lord will see the wrong things that are happening to me and give me something good for every bad thing that Shimei says today.”

“Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: There are three ways you can be punished. Choose the one you want.’”