God's Promise to David

King David was living in his own house, and the Lord had given him rest from enemies around him. He said to Nathan the prophet that he lived in a cedar house while the ark of God was still in a tent. At first Nathan told David to do what was in his heart, because the Lord was with him.

But that same night God gave Nathan a message for David. David was not the one to build a house for God. Since the day God brought Israel out of Egypt, he had not lived in a house of cedar. He had moved with his people from place to place in a tent and tabernacle.

Then God reminded David what he had already done for him. He had taken David from the sheep pen and made him ruler over Israel. He had been with David wherever he went, cut off his enemies, and would make his name great. God would also appoint a place for his people Israel, so they could dwell there and be troubled no more as before.

Then the message turned in a surprising way. David had spoken about building God a house, but God said he would build David a house. This meant a lasting royal family. After David's life ended, God would raise up his offspring and establish his kingdom.

That son would build a house for God's name. God said he would be a father to him and would not take away his faithful love as he had from Saul. Nathan told David all the words of this vision, including God's promise that David's house, kingdom, and throne would be established forever. What kind of king would such a promise make people long for?