1 Chronicles 17

David Wants to Build God a House

1 Once David was settled in his palace, he told the prophet Nathan, “Look, I am living in this fancy house made of cedar, but the Ark of God is still sitting in a tent.”

2 Nathan said, “Do what is on your heart. God is with you.”

God Checks in Through Nathan

3 But that night, God gave Nathan a word.

4 He told him, “Go back to My servant David and tell him this: ‘The LORD says, you not the one to build Me a house to live in.

5 I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought My people out of Egypt until now. I been moving around in tents, setting up and breaking down.

6 All that time I moved with the tribes of Israel, did I ever ask any of the leaders I appointed over them, “Why have you not all built Me a cedar house?”

God Reminds David Who Put Him On

7 Now go tell My servant David this: The LORD of armies says, I took you from the fields, from watching sheep, and made you ruler over My people.

8 I was with you wherever you went. I cut down your enemies and made your name respected, like the big names of the earth.

9 I will plant My people Israel in their own spot. They will live in peace and will not get pushed around anymore. Wicked folks will not mess with them like they did in the past,

10 Back when I set judges over them. I will crush all your enemies. And hear this, the LORD says He is going to build a house for you.

God’s Promise to David

11 When your time is up and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your seed, your own flesh and blood, and I will lock in his kingdom.

12 He the one who is going to build Me a house, and I will make sure his kingdom stands forever.

13 I will be his Father, and he will be My son. If he messes up, I will correct him, not with hate, but with discipline, like a father who loves his child.

14 But My favor will never leave him. I will set him up forever in My house and kingdom. His throne will be solid forever.’”

Nathan Delivers the Word

15 Nathan gave David the whole message, just like God told him.

David’s Humble Response to God

16 Then David went and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, LORD God, And what is my family that You have brought me this far,

17 And now You talking about blessing my descendants forever, You treating me like I am somebody major, like royalty, LORD God.

18 What more can I say, You know everything about me.

19 LORD, because of Your promise and out of Your own heart, You have done all this, showing me what You got planned for me.

20 Nobody is like You, LORD. Nobody comes close. We have heard it all, and no god compares to You.

21 What other nation on earth has a story like Israel, a people You rescued for Yourself, to make a name for Yourself by doing great and awesome stuff, You drove out nations before them and claimed them as Your own.

22 You made Israel Your people forever, and You, LORD, became their God.

David Asks God to Seal the Deal

23 So now, LORD, let the word You spoke over me and my family be locked in forever. Do what You said You would do.

24 Let it stand strong so people will always say, ‘The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is God over Israel.’ And let my family’s name be tied to Yours forever.

25 You, my God, let me hear this promise, that You would build a house for me, and that gave me the confidence to pray this prayer.

26 LORD, You are God. You gave me this good word, and I believe it.

27 So now, bless my family. Let it last forever in Your sight. You, LORD, have spoken, and when You bless it, it is blessed for good.”