Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

David sat in his house, reflecting on his life. He turned to Nathan the prophet and said, "I'm living in a cedar house, but the ark of the Lord's covenant remains under temporary shelter."

Nathan replied, "Do whatever is on your mind; God is with you." But that night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, "I haven't lived in a permanent house since I brought Israel into their current homeland. Instead, I've moved from one tent to another, from one tabernacle to the next."

Nathan was instructed to tell David, "The Lord says, 'You will not build me a permanent dwelling place.'" God continued, "I haven't lived in a house since the day I brought Israel to their present location. I've been with all of them wherever they went, and I've defeated all their enemies for them. I've made your name famous like that of the greatest men on earth."

The Lord declared, "I took you from tending sheep to be ruler over my people Israel." God reminded David, "I've been with you everywhere you went, defeating all your enemies before you and making your name renowned." The Lord promised, "I will establish a permanent place for my people Israel, and I will plant them in it."

God continued, "Since the time I commanded judges to lead my people Israel, I will subdue all your enemies and build you an enduring house." The Lord stated, "When your days are fulfilled and you join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants to succeed you. This descendant will be a son of yours, and I will establish his kingdom."

The Lord promised, "He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever." God pledged, "I will be his father, and he will be my son; I will not remove my loyal love from him as I did from the one who ruled before you." The Lord declared, "But I will establish him in my house and kingdom forever, with his throne firmly established forevermore."

Nathan relayed all these words to David. Then David sat before the Lord and said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me to this place? Yet, O God, it was a small thing in your sight, for you've spoken of my household for generations to come and considered me as a man of great stature."

David asked, "What can I say more to you about honoring your servant? You know him already." He acknowledged, "For your servant's sake and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness and revealed these tremendous things."

David exclaimed, "There is no God like you, and there is none besides you, as we've heard with our ears. What nation on earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for himself? You made them your own forever, and you, Lord, became their God."

David implored the Lord, "Therefore, now, establish what you have spoken concerning your servant and his house; do as you've said." He prayed, "Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, 'The Lord of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel.'" David requested, "Do it for the sake of your servant's household, that it may stand before you forever."

David confessed, "You are God, and you've promised this good thing to your servant." He asked, "Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may endure before you forever; for you are God, and you have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever."