1. After David had taken up residence in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “See, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tentcloth.”
2. Nathan replied to David, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for God is with you.”
3. But that same night the word of God came to Nathan:
4. Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: It is not you who are to build the house for me to dwell in.
5. For I have never dwelt in a house, from the day I brought Israel up, even to this day, but I have been lodging in tent or tabernacle.
6. As long as I have wandered about with all Israel, did I ever say a word to any of the judges of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd my people, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?
7. Now then, speak thus to my servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel.