8. "So tell my servant David, 'The Lord who rules over all says, "I took you away from the grasslands. That's where you were taking care of your father's sheep and goats. I made you ruler over my people Israel.
9. I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I cut off all of your enemies when you were attacking them. " ' "Now I will make you famous. Your name will be just as respected as the names of the most important people on earth.
10. I will provide a place where my people Israel can live. I will plant them in the land. Then they will have a home of their own. They will not be bothered anymore. Evil people will no longer crush them, as they did at first.
11. That is what your enemies have done ever since I appointed leaders over my people Israel. But I will give you peace and rest from all of them. " ' "I tell you that I myself will set up a royal house for you.
12. Some day your life will come to an end. You will join the members of your family who have already died. Then I will make one of your own sons the next king after you. And I will make his kingdom secure.
13. He is the one who will build a house where I will put my Name. " ' "I will set up the throne of his kingdom. It will last forever.
14. I will be his father. And he will be my son. When he does what is wrong, I will use other men to beat him with rods and whips.
15. I took my love away from Saul. I removed him from being king. You were there when I did it. But I will never take my love away from your son.
16. " ' "Your royal house and your kingdom will last forever in my sight. Your throne will last forever." ' "
17. Nathan reported to David all of the words that the Lord had spoken to him.
18. Then King David went into the holy tent. He sat down in front of the Lord. He said, "Lord and King, who am I? My family isn't important. So why have you brought me this far?
19. I would have thought that you had already done more than enough for me. But now, Lord and King, you have also spoken about what is going to happen to my royal house in days to come. Lord and King, is this your usual way of dealing with people?