1 Chronicles 17

David wants to build God's temple

David told Nathan the prophet, "I live in a house made from cedar, but the ark of the Existing One's commitment is under a tent." Nathan replied, "Do whatever it is that your heart is telling you, because God is with you."

God refuses David's offer and instead promised to build a house for David

But that same night the Existing One's message came to Nathan saying, "Go tell my servant David, 'The Existing One says: You are not the one who will build me a house to live in. I haven't lived in a house ever since I established Israel. I go from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. Out of all the places I've been with Israel, did I ever ask the judges, "Why haven't you built me a house?"' Also tell David, 'The Existing One among hosts says: I took you from the pasture where you were following sheep, and I made you the prince over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you've gone, and I've dealt with all your enemies. I will give you a reputation like the world's most legendary men. I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and I'll establish them so they'll have their own place where they can live peacefully. Violent men won't attack them any more, like they have been ever since I appointed judges over my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. The Existing One is the one who will build you a house. When your days are spent and you're ready to join your forefathers, I will raise up one of your sons and establish his kingdom. He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me. I will not withdraw my steady love from him, like I withdrew it from the one before you. Instead, I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.'" Nathan told David all these things.

David humbly praises God

Then King David sat down in front of the Existing One and said, "Who am I, oh God, the Existing One, and what is my lineage that you brought me this far? And this was a small thing in your eyes, oh God. You're talking about your servant's lineage like it will remain a long time, and you're showing me future generations, oh, God, the Existing One. What else can David say to you for honoring your servant? You know your servant. You've done all these great things out of the goodness of your heart, oh Existing One, just for your servant's sake. There isn't anyone like you, oh Existing One, and there isn't any other God besides you, just like everything we've heard. And who is like your people Israel, the only nation on earth who God claimed as his people? You made a name for yourself when you drove out the other nations and reclaimed your people from Egypt. You made Israel to be your people forever, and you, oh Existing One, became their God. Now, oh Existing One, let your words about your servant and his lineage be established forever. Carry out the things you've spoken of, and your reputation will be established and magnified forever. People will say, 'The Existing One above all hosts is Israel's God,' and your servant David's house will be established in front of you. My God, you showed your servant that you will build a house for him, so he found the courage to pray to you. Oh Existing One, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. It must please you to bless the lineage of your servant, because you are the one who blessed it, oh Existing One, and so forever blessed it will be.