The Reign of David

It was so, as the LORD’s ark came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

They brought in the LORD’s ark, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts.

He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house.

Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore will I celebrate before the LORD.

I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight. But of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, they shall honor me.”

Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

When the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around,

the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.”

Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.”

That same night, the LORD’s word came to Nathan, saying,

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?

For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.

In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’

Now therefore you shall tell my servant David this, ‘Thus says the LORD of Hosts, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel.

I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,

and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD tells you that the LORD will make you a house.

When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;

but my loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.

Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’”

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.