Now, O Lord, you are the true God; you have made this good promise to your servant.

In the past, even when Saul was king, you were Israel’s commanding general. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel; you will rule over my people Israel.’”

“Go, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord says: “You must not build me a house in which to live.

for you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a dynasty for him. That is why your servant has had the courage to pray to you.

Now you are willing to bless your servant’s dynasty so that it may stand permanently before you, for you, O Lord, have blessed it and it will be blessed from now on into the future.”

But God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor me, for you are a warrior and have spilled blood.’

David praised the Lord before the entire assembly: “O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore!

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.