2 Samuel 7:3
ESV
And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."
NIV
Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."
NASB
Nathan said to the king, 'Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.'
CSB
So Nathan told the king, "Go and do all that is on your mind, for the Lord is with you."
NLT
Nathan replied to the king, 'Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.'
KJV
And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.
NKJV
Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
What does 2 Samuel 7:3 mean?
David is concerned that he lives in a finely crafted mansion, while the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10) sits in a tent. He's asked the prophet Nathan, and Nathan responds positively (2 Samuel 7:1–2). David's victories in battle, his growing family, and his firmly established rule in Jerusalem all prove that God is with him (2 Samuel 5).In that era of the ancient Near East, kings would often build temples where their gods could "rest" during times of peace. The pagan thought was that if they could provide rest for their gods, their gods would continue to provide rest for them. David, though, is more concerned with honoring the God of Israel than assuming He needs to take a break.
Nathan's response is premature. That night, God tells him David will not build Him a temple. First, God doesn't need it. Second, David has too much blood on his hands. A moment of peace near the end of a violent life isn't enough to establish the tone God wants associated with His temple. David's son will take the throne, and God will give him significant peace. Solomon will build the temple (2 Samuel 7:4–7, 12–13; 1 Chronicles 22:6–10).
But God isn't done blessing David. God will give David an eternal legacy. Not only will his son be king, but David's "throne shall be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). We'll see that day fulfilled in its entirety when Jesus returns (Luke 1:32).
