God's Covenant with David

1 Chronicles 17

This chapter tells how David desired to build a house for the Lord, how the Lord instead promised through the prophet Nathan to build David a house and establish his son's throne forever, and records David's prayer of humility and thanksgiving in response.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonWHEN David was settled in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, Behold I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is beneath curtains of skin.

BrentonAnd it came to pass as David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under curtains of skins.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς κατῴκησε Δαυὶδ ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Νάθαν τὸν προφήτην, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ κατοικῶ ἐν οἴκῳ κεδρίνῳ, καὶ ἡ κιβωτὸς διαθήκης Κυρίου ὑποκάτω δέῤῥεων.

KJVNow it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet: ‘Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwelleth under curtains.’

ThomsonThereupon Nathan said to David, Do whatever is in thy heart; for God is with thee.

BrentonAnd Nathan said to David, Do all that is in thy heart; for God is with thee.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Νάθαν πρὸς Δαυὶδ, πᾶν τὸ ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου ποίει, ὅτι Θεὸς μετὰ σοῦ.

KJVThen Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.

JPSAnd Nathan said unto David: ‘Do all that is in thy heart; for God is with thee.’

ThomsonBut that very night there came to Nathan a word of the Lord,

BrentonAnd it came to pass in that night, that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς Νάθαν·

KJVAnd it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

JPSAnd it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

ThomsonGo, and say to David My servant, Thus saith the Lord: Thou shalt not build Me a house to dwell in.

BrentonGo and say to David my servant, Thus said the Lord, Thou shalt not build me a house for me to dwell in it.

GreekΠορεύου καὶ εἶπον πρὸς Δαυὶδ τὸν δοῦλόν μου, οὕτως εἶπε Κύριος, οὐ σὺ οἰκοδομήσεις μοι οἶκον τοῦ κατοικῆσαί με ἐν αὐτῷ.

KJVGo and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

JPS’Go and tell David My servant: Thus saith the LORD: Thou shalt not build Me a house to dwell in;

ThomsonBecause I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought up Israel even to this day, but have been in a tent and under a curtain in all the places

BrentonFor I have not dwelt in a house from the day that I brought up Israel until this day, but I have been in a tabernacle and a tent,

GreekὍτι οὐ κατῴκησα ἐν οἴκῳ ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἀνήγαγον τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης,

KJVFor I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

JPSfor I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, unto this day; but have [gone] from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle [to another[.

Thomsonthrough which I passed among Israel, did I ever speak to any tribe of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, and say, Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?

Brentonin all places through which I have gone with all Israel: did I ever speak to any one tribe of Israel whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why is it that ye have not built me a house of cedar?

Greekκαὶ ἤμην ἐν σκηνῇ καὶ ἐν καλὺμματι ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς διῆλθον ἐν παντὶ Ἰσραήλ· εἰ λαλῶν ἐλάλησα πρὸς μίαν φυλὴν τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ οἷς ἐνετειλάμην τοῦ ποιμαίνειν τὸν λαόν μου, λέγων, ὅτι οὐκ ᾠκοδομήσατέ μοι οἶκον κέδρινον;

KJVWheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

JPSIn all places wherein I have walked among all Israel, spoke I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, saying: Why have ye not built Me a house of cedar?

ThomsonBut now, Thus shalt thou say to My servant David, Thus saith the Lord Almighty, I took thee from the fold—from following the flocks, to be ruler over My people Israel

BrentonAnd now thus shalt thou say to my servant David, Thus saith the Lord Almighty, I took thee from the sheepfold, from following the flocks, to be a ruler over my people Israel:

GreekΚαὶ νῦν οὕτως ἐρεῖς τῷ δούλῳ μου Δαυὶδ, τάδε λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ, ἐγὼ ἔλαβον σε ἐκ τῆς μάνδρας ἐξόπισθεν τῶν ποιμνίων τοῦ εἶναι εἰς ἡγούμενον ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν μου Ἰσραήλ·

KJVNow therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

JPSNow therefore thus shalt thou say unto My servant David: Thus saith the LORD of hosts: I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over My people Israel;

Thomsonand have been with thee wherever thou hast gone, and have cut off all thy enemies from before thee, and made thee a name like the name of the great men on the earth;

Brentonand I was with thee in all places whither thou wentest, and I destroyed all thine enemies from before thee, and I made for thee a name according to the name of the great ones that are upon the earth.

GreekΚαὶ ἤμην μετὰ σοῦ ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς ἐπορεύθης, καὶ ἐξωλόθρευσα πάντας τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ἀπὸ προσώπου σου, καὶ ἐποίησά σοι ὄνομα κατὰ τὸ ὄνομα τῶν μεγάλων τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

KJVAnd I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.

JPSand I have been with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth.

Thomsonand I will fix a place for My people Israel, and plant them, and they shall dwell by themselves and no more be in trouble, nor shall a son of iniquity any more humble them as at the first,

BrentonAnd I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and I will plant him, and he shall dwell by himself, and shall no longer be anxious; and the son of iniquity shall no longer afflict him, as at the beginning,

GreekΚαὶ θήσομαι τόπον τῷ λαῷ μου Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ καταφυτεύσω αὐτὸν, καὶ κατασκηνώσει καθʼ ἑαυτὸν, καὶ οὐ μεριμνήσει ἔτι, καὶ οὐ προσθήσει υἱὸς ἀδικίας τοῦ ταπεινῶσαι αὐτὸν καθὼς ἀρχῆς, καὶ ἀφʼ ἡμερῶν ὧν ἔταξα κριτὰς ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν μου Ἰσραήλ·

KJVAlso I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

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

Thomsoneven from the time I appointed judges over My people Israel. I have indeed subdued all thy enemies, and I will increase thee and the Lord will build thee a house.

Brentonand from the days when I appointed judges over my people Israel. Also I have humbled all thine enemies, and I will increase thee, and the Lord will build thee a house.

Greekκαὶ ἐταπείνωσα πάντας τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, καὶ αὐξήσω σε, καὶ οἶκον οἰκοδομήσει σοι Κύριος.

KJVAnd since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

JPSeven from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will subdue all thine enemies. Moreover I tell thee that the LORD will build thee a house.

ThomsonAnd when thy days are fulfilled and thou shalt go to rest with thy fathers, I will raise up thy seed after thee who shall proceed from thy loins, and I will prepare his kingdom.

BrentonAnd it shall come to pass when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὅταν πληρωθῶσιν ἡμέραι σου καὶ κοιμηθήσῃ μετὰ τῶν πατέρων σου, καὶ ἀναστήσω τὸ σπέρμα σου μετὰ σὲ ὅς ἔσται ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας σου, καὶ ἑτοιμάσω τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

JPSAnd it shall come to pass, when thy days are fulfilled that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will set up thy seed after thee, who shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

ThomsonHe shall build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever.

BrentonHe shall build me a house, and I will set up his throne for ever.

GreekΑὐτὸς οἰκοδομήσει μοι οἶκον, καὶ ἀνορθώσω τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος.

KJVHe shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

JPSHe shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne for ever.

ThomsonI will be to him a father and he shall be to Me a son; and I will not withdraw My mercy from him as I withdrew it from them who were before him;

BrentonI will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son: and my mercy will I not withdraw from him, as I withdrew it from them that were before thee.

GreekἘγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν· καὶ τὸ ἔλεός μου οὐκ ἀποστήσω ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀπέστησα ἀπὸ τῶν ὄντων ἔμπροσθέν σου.

KJVI will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

JPSI will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee;

Thomsonbut will confirm him in My house and in his kingdom, and his throne shall be established forever.

BrentonAnd I will establish him in my house and in his kingdom for ever; and his throne shall be set up for ever.

GreekΚαὶ πιστώσω αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ μου καὶ ἐν βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος, καὶ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ ἔσται ἀνωρθωμένος ἕως αἰῶνος.

KJVBut I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

JPSbut I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom for ever; and his throne shall be established for ever.’

ThomsonAccording to all these words and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.

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

GreekΚατὰ πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους, καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν τὴν ὅρασιν ταύτην, οὕτως ἐλάλησε Νάθαν πρὸς Δαυίδ.

KJVAccording to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

JPSAccording to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

ThomsonWhereupon king David went and sat down before the Lord, and said: Who am I, O Lord my God, and what is my house that Thou shouldst love me forever!

BrentonAnd king David came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast loved me for ever?

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυὶδ καὶ ἐκὰθισεν ἀπέναντι Κυρίου, καὶ εἶπε, τίς εἰμι ἐγὼ Κύριε ὁ Θεός; καὶ τίς ὁ οἶκός μου, ὅτι ἠγάπησάς με ἕως αἰῶνος;

KJVAnd David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

JPSThen David the king went in, and sat before the LORD; and he said: ‘Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me thus far?

ThomsonThough these were very small before Thee, O my God, yet Thou hast spoken of Thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast looked upon me as with the eyes of a man, and exalted me.

BrentonAnd these things were little in thy sight, O God: thou hast also spoken concerning the house of thy servant for a long time to come, and thou hast looked upon me as a man looks upon his fellow, and hast exalted me, O Lord God.

GreekΚαὶ ἐσμικρύνθη ταῦτα ἐνώπιόν σου ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ ἐλάλησας ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ παιδός σου ἐκ μακρῶν, καὶ ἐπεῖδές με ὡς ὅρασις ἀνθρώπου, καὶ ὕψωσάς με Κύριε ὁ Θεός.

KJVAnd yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

JPSAnd this was a small thing in Thine eyes, O God; but Thou hast spoken of Thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me after the manner of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

ThomsonO Lord my God, what more can David address to Thee to express Thy praise? Thou knowest Thy servant,

BrentonWhat shall David do more toward thee to glorify thee? and thou knowest thy servant.

GreekΤί προσθήσει ἔτι Δαυὶδ πρὸς σέ τοῦ δοξάσαι; καὶ σὺ τὸν δοῦλόν σου οἶδας,

KJVWhat can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

JPSWhat can David say yet more unto Thee concerning the honour which is done to Thy servant? for Thou knowest Thy servant.

Thomsonand according to Thy own heart Thou hast made all this greatness.

BrentonAnd thou hast wrought all this greatness according to thine heart.

Greekκαὶ κατὰ τὴν καρδίαν σου ἐποίησας τὴν πᾶσαν μεγαλωσύνην.

KJVO LORD, for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

JPSO LORD, for Thy servant’s sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou wrought all this greatness, to make known all these great things.

ThomsonO Lord! there is none like Thee, nor is there a god besides Thee according to all that we have heard with our ears;

BrentonO Lord, there is none like thee, and there is no God beside thee, according to all things which we have heard with our ears.

GreekΚύριε, οὐκ ἔστιν ὅμοιός σοι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι Θεὸς πλὴν σοῦ, κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἠκούσαμεν ἐν ὠσὶν ἡμῶν.

KJVO LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

JPSO LORD, there is none like Thee, neither is there any God beside Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Thomsonnor is there another nation on the earth like Thy people Israel. How hath God led them to redeem a people for Himself, to make Himself a name great and glorious, by driving out nations from before Thy people whom Thou didst redeem out of Egypt!

BrentonNeither is there another nation upon the earth such as thy people Israel, whereas God led him in the way, to redeem a people for himself, to make for himself a great and glorious name, to cast out nations from before thy people, whom thou redeemedst out of Egypt.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὡς ὁ λαός σου Ἰσραὴλ ἔθνος ἔτι ἐτὶ τῆς γῆς, ὡς ὡδήγησεν αὐτὸν ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ λυτρώσασθαι λαὸν ἑαυτῷ, τοῦ θέσθαι ἑαυτῷ ὄνομα μέγα καὶ ἐπιφανὲς, τοῦ ἐκβαλεῖν ἀπὸ προσώπου λαοῦ σου οὕς ἐλυτρώσω ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἔθνη.

KJVAnd what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

JPSAnd who is like Thy people Israel, a nation one in the earth, whom God went to redeem unto Himself for a people, to make Thee a name by great and tremendous things, in driving out nations from before Thy people, whom Thou didst redeem out of Egypt.

ThomsonAs Thou hast made Thy people Israel a people for Thyself forever, and Thou the Lord art become their God;

BrentonAnd thou hast appointed thy people Israel as a people to thyself for ever; and thou, Lord, didst become a God to them.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκας τὸν λαόν σου Ἰσραὴλ, σεαυτῷ λαὸν ἕως αἰῶνος, καὶ σὺ Κύριος ἐγενήθης αὐτοῖς εἰς Θεόν.

KJVFor thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

JPSFor Thy people Israel didst Thou make Thine own people for ever; and Thou, LORD, becamest their God.

Thomsonnow therefore, O Lord, let the word which Thou hast spoken to Thy servant, and touching his house be established forever, and do as Thou hast spoken;

BrentonAnd now, Lord, let the word which thou spokest to thy servant, and concerning his house, be confirmed for ever, and do thou as thou hast spoken.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν, Κύριε, ὁ λόγος σου ὅν ἐλάλησας πρὸς τὸν παῖδά σου καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, πιστωθήτω ἕως αἰῶνος· καὶ ποιήσον καθὼς ἐλάλησας,

KJVTherefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

JPSAnd now, O LORD, let the word that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant, and concerning his house, be established for ever, and do as Thou hast spoken.

Thomsonand let Thy name be established and magnified forever by men, saying, O Lord, Lord Almighty, Thou art the God of Israel, and the house of Thy servant David is established before thee.

BrentonAnd let thy name be established and magnified for ever, men saying, Lord, Lord, Almighty God of Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.

Greekκαὶ πιστωθήτω καὶ μεγαλυνθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου ἕως αἰῶνος, λεγόντων, Κύριε Κύριε παντοκράτωρ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ὁ οἶκος Δαυὶδ παιδός σου ἀνωρθωμένος ἐναντίον σου.

KJVLet it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

JPSYea, let it be established, and let Thy name be magnified for ever, that it may be said: The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel; and the house of David Thy servant shall be established before Thee.

ThomsonBecause Thou, O Lord my God, hast revealed to the ear of Thy servant, that Thou wilt build him a house; therefore Thy servant hath found freedom to make supplication before Thee.

BrentonFor thou, O Lord my God, hast revealed to the ear of thy servant that thou wilt build him a house; therefore thy servant has found a willingness to pray before thee.

GreekὍτι σὺ Κύριος ὁ Θεός μου ἤνοιξας τὸ οὖς τοῦ παιδός σου τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι αὐτῷ οἶκον, διὰ τοῦτο εὗρεν ὁ παῖς σου τοῦ προσεύξασθαι κατὰ πρόσωπόν σου.

KJVFor thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

JPSFor Thou, O my God, hast revealed to Thy servant that Thou wilt build him a house; therefore hath Thy servant taken heart to pray before Thee.

ThomsonAnd now, O Lord, Thou art God. As Thou hast spoken these good things, respecting Thy servant;

BrentonAnd now, Lord, thou thyself art God, and thou hast spoken these good things concerning thy servant.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν, Κύριε, σὺ εἶ αὐτὸς Θεὸς, καὶ ἐλάλησας ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου τὰ ἀγαθὰ ταῦτα.

KJVAnd now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

JPSAnd now, O LORD, Thou alone art God, and hast promised this good thing unto Thy servant;

Thomsonnow therefore begin to bless the house of Thy servant that it may be before Thee forever. Because Thou hast blessed, therefore bless it forever.

BrentonAnd now thou hast begun to bless the house of thy servant, so that it should continue for ever before thee: for thou, Lord, hast blessed it, and do thou bless it for ever.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν, ἦρξαι τοῦ εὐλογῆσαι τὸν οἶκον τοῦ παιδός σου, τοῦ εἶναι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐναντίον σου· ὅτι σὺ Κύριε εὑλόγησας, καὶ εὐλόγησον εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVNow therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.

JPSand now it hath pleased Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may continue for ever before Thee; for Thou, O LORD, hast blessed, and so let [Thy servant] be blessed for ever.’