1 After the king had taken up residence in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
3 Nathan answered the king, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan:
5 Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: Is it you who would build me a house to dwell in?
6 I have never dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up from Egypt to this day, but I have been going about in a tent or a tabernacle.
7 As long as I have wandered about among the Israelites, did I ever say a word to any of the judges whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?