2 Samuel 7

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

When the king finally found peace in his home, free from his enemies, it was all thanks to the LORD's grace.

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

The king confessed to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a cedar house, yet God's sacred ark resides only within curtains."

And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

Nathan encouraged the king, "Follow your heart's desires, for God is by your side."

And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,

That night, Nathan felt a profound message from the Lord resonate within him.

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

Go and tell my faithful servant David, 'This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to live in?'

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Since leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, I've never stayed in a house. Instead, I've journeyed, living in a tent and tabernacle.

In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

Throughout my journey with the people of Israel, I've never asked any tribe, whom I entrusted to care for my people, "Why haven't you built me a cedar house?"

Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

Tell my servant David, the Lord says, "I lifted you from tending sheep to leading my people, Israel."

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

I've always been by your side, no matter where you've gone. I've removed all your enemies from your path and have given you a name as respected as the greatest men on earth.

Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

I promise to provide a safe haven for my people, Israel. I will establish them in a home where they will no longer be disturbed or tormented by the wicked, as they were in the past.

And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

That oppression went on ever since I appointed judges over my people Israel. But I will give you peace from all your foes. Know this, the LORD promises to build a house for you: a family line that will last.

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

When your time on earth ends and you join your ancestors in rest, I will raise up after you a descendant of your own body, and I will secure his kingdom.

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

He will construct a home in my honor, and in return, I will secure his reign eternally.

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

I'll be a father to him, and he'll be a son to me. If he does wrong, I'll punish him as people are punished, with the rod and with blows.

But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

My compassion will always stay with him, unlike how I withdrew it from Saul, whom I replaced with you.

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Your home and reign will stand unshaken, forever in your sight; your rule will be forever secure.

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Nathan passionately conveyed every word and vision to David, just as they were revealed.

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

King David entered, sat in God's presence, and humbly asked, "Who am I, Lord? Why have you blessed me and my family so much?"

And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?

And as if all this were still a small thing in your eyes, Lord, you've even spoken about the future of my humble home for a long time to come. Is this how you treat all humans, Lord?

And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.

What more can David express to you? You, Lord God, fully understand your servant.

For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.

For the sake of your promises and guided by your love, you've done these amazing things, just so your servant could understand them.

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

You are truly magnificent, LORD God. There's no one like you, no other God exists, as far as our ears have heard.

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

Which other nation on earth is as special as your people, Israel, whom God personally rescued? He made a name for Himself by doing incredible and awe-inspiring things for you, liberating you from Egypt and its false gods.

For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.

You, God, have chosen and affirmed Israel as your people forever, and you have become their eternal God.

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.

Now, dear LORD God, please make the promises you've made about me and my family come true, and let them last forever, just as you've said.

And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.

May your name forever be honored, acknowledging that you, the LORD of all, are the God of Israel. May the legacy of your servant David always stand strong in your presence.

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

You, the LORD, the God of Israel, have shown me, your servant, that you will build a house for me, a lasting royal family. This has inspired deep within me, a desire to pray this prayer to you.

And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

Now, O Divine Lord, you are the one true God, your words are truth itself, and you've graciously promised this kindness to your servant.

Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Please, bless my humble home, Lord. Let it stand strong and eternal in your sight. You've promised this, God, and through your blessing, may my home forever be blessed.