12 Some day your life will come to an end. You will join the members of your family who have already died. Then I will make one of your own sons the next king after you. And I will make his kingdom secure.
13 He is the one who will build a house where I will put my Name. " ' "I will set up the throne of his kingdom. It will last forever.
14 I will be his father. And he will be my son. When he does what is wrong, I will use other men to beat him with rods and whips.
15 I took my love away from Saul. I removed him from being king. You were there when I did it. But I will never take my love away from your son.
16 " ' "Your royal house and your kingdom will last forever in my sight. Your throne will last forever." ' "
17 Nathan reported to David all of the words that the Lord had spoken to him.
18 Then King David went into the holy tent. He sat down in front of the Lord. He said, "Lord and King, who am I? My family isn't important. So why have you brought me this far?