1 Chronicles 17
I Will Establish His Throne Forever
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David’s Desire to Build a House
17:1When David was dwelling in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I dwell in a cedar house, but the ark of the Lord’s covenant is beneath skins.”
17:2Nathan said to David, “Do everything in your soul, for God is with you.”
The Word of the Lord to Nathan
17:3That night the Lord’s word came to Nathan, saying,
17:4“Go and say to David My servant, ‘Thus says the Lord: You shall not build Me a house for Me to dwell in it.
17:5For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up until this day; I was in a tent and in a lodging.
17:6In all the places I passed through in all Israel, did I ever speak to one tribe of Israel for shepherding My people, saying, “You have not built Me a cedar house”?
17:7Now say this to My servant David: Thus says the Lord Almighty: I took you from the sheepfold, from following the flocks, to become leader over My people Israel.
17:8I was with you wherever you went and destroyed all your enemies before you; I made you a name like the name of the great ones on the earth.
17:9I will appoint a place for My people Israel and plant them, and they shall dwell by themselves and no longer be anxious. Injustice shall no longer humble them as at the beginning.
17:10From the days when I appointed judges over My people Israel, I humbled all your enemies. I will increase you, and the Lord will build you a house.
I Will Raise Up Your Seed After You
17:11When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one who will be from your body, and prepare his kingdom.
17:12He shall build Me a house, and I will set his throne upright forever.
17:13I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to Me. I will not withdraw My mercy from him as I withdrew it from those before you.
17:14I will make him secure in My house and in his kingdom forever, and his throne shall be set upright forever.’”
17:15Nathan spoke to David according to all these words and all this vision.
The Prayer of David
17:16King David went in and sat before the Lord. He said, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house, that You have loved me forever?
17:17These things became small before You, God, and You spoke of Your servant’s house far ahead. You looked upon me as a human vision, and You exalted me, Lord God.
17:18What more can David add to You in glorifying? You know Your servant.
17:19According to Your heart You have done all the greatness.
17:20Lord, there is none like You, and there is none besides You, according to all we have heard with our ears.
17:21There is no nation on the earth like Your people Israel, whom God led to redeem a people for Himself, to make Himself a great and manifest name, driving nations out before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt.
17:22You gave Your people Israel to Yourself as a people forever, and You, Lord, are their God.
Let Your Word Be Confirmed Forever
17:23Now, Lord, let Your word which You spoke to Your servant and concerning his house be made secure forever,
17:24while people say, ‘Lord, Lord Almighty, God of Israel,’ and let the house of David Your servant be set upright before You.
17:25For You, Lord, opened Your servant’s ear to build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found courage to pray before You.
17:26Now, Lord, You are God, and You have spoken these good things concerning Your servant.
17:27Now You have begun to bless Your servant’s house, so it may remain before You forever. For You, Lord, have blessed it; bless it forever.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.