1. Soon after David moved into his new palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look around! I live in a palace made of cedar, but the sacred chest is kept in a tent.”
2. Nathan replied, “The Lord is with you—do what you want.”
3. That night, the Lord told Nathan
4. to go to David and tell him:David, you are my servant, so listen carefully: you are not the one to build a temple for me.
5. I didn't live in a temple when I brought my people out of Egypt, and I don't live in one now. A tent has always been my home wherever I have gone with them.
6. I chose special leaders and told them to be like shepherds for my people Israel. But did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?
7. David, this is what I, the Lord All-Powerful, say to you. I brought you in from the fields where you took care of sheep, and I made you the leader of my people.
8. Wherever you went, I helped you and destroyed your enemies right in front of your eyes. I have made you one of the most famous people in the world.
9. I have given my people Israel a land of their own where they can live in peace. They will no longer have to tremble with fear—evil nations won't bother them, as they did
10. when I let judges rule my people, and I will keep your enemies from attacking you.Now I promise that like you, your descendants will be kings.