1 David settled down in his palace. Then he spoke to the prophet Nathan. He said, "Here I am, living in a palace that has beautiful cedar walls. But the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent."
2 Nathan replied to David, "Do what you want to. God is with you."
3 That night a message came to Nathan from God. He said,
4 "Go and speak to my servant David. Tell him, 'The Lord says, "You are not the one who will build me a house to live in.
5 I have not lived in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt until now. I have moved my tent from one place to another. I have moved my home from one place to another.
6 I have moved from place to place with all of the people of Israel. I commanded their leaders to be shepherds over them. I never asked any of those leaders, 'Why haven't you built me a house that has beautiful cedar walls?' " '