2 Samuel 7:4
ESV
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan,
NIV
But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
NASB
But in the same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
CSB
But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan:
NLT
But that same night the Lord said to Nathan,
KJV
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,
NKJV
But it happened that night that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
What does 2 Samuel 7:4 mean?
David is sitting in his beautiful home, surrounded by his growing family, while his enemies are at rest. He conquered Jerusalem and made it his capital, and he brought the ark of the covenant from its temporary dwelling to a custom-made tent in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5—6). But David starts to feel this situation is wrong. God has done so much to bless him; His ark shouldn't be kept in a tent. He talks to Nathan, a prophet and advisor, and Nathan tells David, "Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you" (2 Samuel 7:1–3).We don't know why Nathan says this, but it's a reasonable assumption. God has blessed David to do so much. Nathan apparently assumes God would approve of David's plan to bless God, as well. David has done what he always does before a major project: he asks God, this time through His prophet. But Nathan skipped a step: he didn't consult with the Lord. Now, Nathan learns that God does not agree to the plan. David will not build the temple; his son Solomon will. Instead, God will build David a "house": a lasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:5–17).
Often, the prophets and priests who guided David used the Urim and Thummim: probably gemstones used like dice to answer yes and no questions. Nathan doesn't use that method; he just assumes he knows what God would want. So, God gives him a detailed vision (2 Samuel 7:17).
