2 Samuel 7

God's Covenant with David

1 Now it came to pass a when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in b a house of cedar, c but the ark of God dwells inside tent d curtains." 3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your e heart, for the LORD is with you."

4 But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5 "Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: f "Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6 "For I have not dwelt in a house g since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in h a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 "Wherever I have i moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded j to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?' " ' 8 "Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: k "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9 "And l I have been with you wherever you have gone, m and have 1 cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10 "Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will n plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; o nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11 p "since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD 2 tells you q that He will make you a 3 house. 12 r "When your days are fulfilled and you s rest with your fathers, t I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 u "He shall build a house for My name, and I will v establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 w "I will be his Father, and he shall be x My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the 4 blows of the sons of men. 15 "But My mercy shall not depart from him, y as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 "And z your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before 5 you. Your throne shall be established forever." ' " 17 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

David's Prayer of Gratitude

18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: a "Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19 "And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come. b Is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20 "Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord GOD, c know Your servant. 21 "For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. 22 "Therefore d You are great, 6 O Lord GOD. For e there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our f ears. 23 "And who is like Your people, like Israel, g the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name - and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land - before h Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24 "For i You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; j and You, LORD, have become their God. 25 "Now, O LORD God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said. 26 "So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel.' And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 "For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You. 28 "And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and k Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 29 "Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed l forever."

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 15:35
    And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.
    Isaiah 22:14
    Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts, "Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
  2. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 17:1 - 27
    Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains.
  3. Cross References
    2 Samuel 5:11
    Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 7:46
    Who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 26:1
    Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them.
  6. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:17
    Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
    1 Kings 8:18
    But the LORD said to my father David, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.
    1 Chronicles 22:7
    And David said to Solomon: "My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.
  7. Cross References
    1 Kings 5:3
    You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the LORD put his foes under the soles of his feet.
    1 Kings 5:4
    But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence.
    1 Kings 8:19
    'Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.'
    1 Chronicles 22:8
    But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.
  8. Cross References
    Joshua 18:1
    Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.
    1 Kings 8:16
    'Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.'
  9. Cross References
    Exodus 40:18
    So Moses raised up the tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars.
    Exodus 40:34
    Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
  10. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:11
    I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.
    Leviticus 26:12
    I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.
  11. Cross References
    2 Samuel 5:2
    "Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.'"
    Acts 20:28
    Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
  12. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:11
    And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.
    1 Samuel 16:12
    So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!
    Psalms 78:70
    He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds.
    Psalms 78:71
    From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance.
  13. Cross References
    1 Samuel 18:14
    And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
    2 Samuel 5:10
    So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
  14. Cross References
    1 Samuel 31:6
    So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.
  15. Cross References
    Exodus 15:17
    You will bring them in and plant them In the mountain of Your inheritance, In the place, O LORD, which You have made For Your own dwelling, The sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established.
    Psalms 44:2
    You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.
    Psalms 80:8
    You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it.
    Jeremiah 24:6
    For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 89:22
    The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
    Psalms 89:23
    I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him.
    Isaiah 60:18
    Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise.
  17. Cross References
    Judges 2:14 - 16
    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.
  18. Cross References
    Exodus 1:21
    And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
    1 Samuel 25:28
    Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. For the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord fights the battles of the LORD, and evil is not found in you throughout your days.
    2 Samuel 7:27
    For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.
  19. Cross References
    1 Kings 2:1
    Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:
  20. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 31:16
    And the LORD said to Moses: "Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them.
    Acts 13:36
    For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption.
  21. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:20
    So the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
    Psalms 132:11
    The LORD has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: "I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
    Matthew 1:6
    And Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
    Luke 3:31
    The son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David.
  22. Cross References
    1 Kings 5:5
    And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to my father David, saying, "Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.
    1 Kings 8:19
    'Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.'
    2 Chronicles 6:2
    I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.
  23. Cross References
    2 Samuel 7:16
    "And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." '"
    Isaiah 9:7
    Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
    Isaiah 49:8
    Thus says the LORD: "In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages.
  24. Cross References
    Hebrews 1:5
    For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"?
  25. Cross References
    Psalms 2:7
    I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
    Psalms 89:26
    He shall cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.
    Psalms 89:27
    Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.
    Psalms 89:30
    If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments.
    Matthew 3:17
    And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
  26. Cross References
    1 Samuel 15:23
    For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.
    1 Samuel 15:28
    So Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
    1 Samuel 16:14
    But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.
  27. Cross References
    2 Samuel 7:13
    He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
    Psalms 89:36
    His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me.
    Psalms 89:37
    It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky." Selah
    Matthew 25:31
    When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
    John 12:34
    The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up' ? Who is this Son of Man?
  28. Cross References
    Genesis 32:10
    I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.
    Exodus 3:11
    But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?
    1 Samuel 18:18
    So David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my life or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?
  29. Cross References
    Isaiah 55:8
    For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
    Isaiah 55:9
    For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
  30. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:7
    But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
    Psalms 139:1
    O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
    John 21:17
    He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
  31. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:17
    For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
    1 Chronicles 16:25
    For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.
    2 Chronicles 2:5
    And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
    Psalms 86:10
    For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
    Jeremiah 10:6
    Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD (You are great, and Your name is great in might).
  32. Cross References
    Exodus 15:11
    Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
    Deuteronomy 3:24
    O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?
    Deuteronomy 4:35
    To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.
    Deuteronomy 32:39
    Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
  33. Cross References
    Exodus 10:2
    "and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD."
    Psalms 44:1
    We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old:
  34. Cross References
    Psalms 147:20
    He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise the LORD!
  35. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 9:26
    Therefore I prayed to the LORD, and said: 'O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
    Deuteronomy 33:29
    Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.
  36. Cross References
    Genesis 17:7
    And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
    Genesis 17:8
    "Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
    Exodus 6:7
    I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
    Deuteronomy 26:18
    Also today the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments.
  37. Cross References
    Psalms 48:14
    For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.
  38. Cross References
    Exodus 34:6
    And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.
    Joshua 21:45
    Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
    John 17:17
    Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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