Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

2 Samuel 7:4–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,
Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

5 selected · 5 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

23 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 4

  1. 1 Chronicles 17:3Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    3¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

  2. Numbers 12:6Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

  3. Amos 3:7Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    7Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

From verse 5

  1. 1 Chronicles 17:4Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    4Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

  2. 1 Chronicles 22:7–8Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    7And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God:

    8But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

  3. 1 Chronicles 23:3–32Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    3Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

    4Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the Lord; and six thousand were officers and judges:

    5Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

    6And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

    7¶ Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.

    8The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.

    9The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.

    10And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.

    11And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father’s house.

    12¶ The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.

    13The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.

    14Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.

    15The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.

    16Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.

    17And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

    18Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.

    19Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

    20Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah the first, and Jesiah the second.

    21¶ The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

    22And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.

    23The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

    24¶ These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from the age of twenty years and upward.

    25For David said, The Lord God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:

    26And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.

    27For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:

    28Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;

    29Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

    30And to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even;

    31And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the Lord:

    32And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the Lord.

  4. 1 Kings 5:3–4Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    3Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet.

    4But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

  5. 1 Kings 8:16–19Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    16Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

    17And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

    18And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

    19Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

From verse 6

  1. 1 Kings 8:16Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    16Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

  2. Exodus 40:18–19Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    18And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.

    19And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the Lord commanded Moses.

  3. Joshua 18:1Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    1AND the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

  4. Exodus 40:34–38Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    34¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

    35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

    36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:

    37But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

    38For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

  5. 1 Chronicles 17:5–6Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    5For 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.

    6Wheresoever 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?

From verse 7

  1. 1 Chronicles 17:6Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    6Wheresoever 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?

  2. 2 Samuel 5:2Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    2Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

  3. Leviticus 26:11–12Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    11And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.

    12And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

  4. John 21:15–17Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    15¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

    16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

    17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

  5. Acts 20:28Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    28¶ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

From verse 8

  1. 1 Samuel 16:11–12Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    11And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

    12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

  2. 2 Samuel 6:21Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    21And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.

  3. Psalms 78:70–71Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    70He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

    71From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

  4. 1 Chronicles 17:7Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    7Now 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:

  5. 2 Samuel 12:7Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    7¶ And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

2 Samuel 7:4

COMBINED MEANING

pass

↗

To go by, through, over, or beyond; to happen, cease, or be transferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

night

↗

1. The dark part of the daily cycle distinguished from day, from evening until morning, or any portion of it. 2. A time or condition compared with night or darkness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Samuel 7:5

COMBINED MEANING

tell

↗

1. To speak, relate, declare, report, inform, explain, reveal, recount, or make known. 2. To know, discern, or determine, especially in 'cannot tell' or 'who can tell.' 3. To count, number, or enumerate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

servant

↗

One who serves another; a worker, attendant, subject, bondservant, or appointed minister.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

house

↗

Sense 1: A building or dwelling. Sense 2: The people of a household or family. Sense 3: A lineage or family line. Sense 4: As a verb, to shelter, lodge, or provide a dwelling for.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Samuel 7:6

COMBINED MEANING

whereas

↗

1. Considering that. 2. While or when in fact. 3. In contrast to the fact that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

house

↗

Sense 1: A building or dwelling. Sense 2: The people of a household or family. Sense 3: A lineage or family line. Sense 4: As a verb, to shelter, lodge, or provide a dwelling for.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

time

↗

A particular portion or part of duration, whether past, present or future.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Israel

↗

The name given to Jacob and, by extension, his descendants, their nation, or the people so called.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

day

↗

Sense 1: Light or the period of light between morning and evening, as distinguished from night. Sense 2: A complete daily cycle. Sense 3: A specified time, occasion, period, age, or season.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tent

↗

A movable shelter or dwelling made of curtains, skins, or fabric supported by cords, poles, and stakes; by extension, a temporary habitation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tabernacle

↗

Sense 1: A tent, booth, or dwelling; especially Israel’s sacred tent of worship. Sense 2: Figuratively, the body as a dwelling.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Samuel 7:7

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

places

↗

1. Physical locations or rooms. 2. Positions or offices. 3. Occasions, circumstances, or passages.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Israel

↗

The name given to Jacob and, by extension, his descendants, their nation, or the people so called.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spake

↗

The past tense of speak: uttered or expressed words, addressed someone, or communicated a matter in words.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tribes

↗

Bodies of people descended from common ancestors, especially the divisions of Israel.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

feed

↗

Sense 1: To give or take food; to nourish, tend, or graze. Sense 2: Food for animals.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

house

↗

Sense 1: A building or dwelling. Sense 2: The people of a household or family. Sense 3: A lineage or family line. Sense 4: As a verb, to shelter, lodge, or provide a dwelling for.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Samuel 7:8

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

servant

↗

One who serves another; a worker, attendant, subject, bondservant, or appointed minister.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hosts

↗

1. Armies or multitudes. 2. Persons who receive or entertain guests.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sheep

↗

Sense 1: Flock animals kept for wool, food, and sacrifice. Sense 2: Figuratively, people pictured as a flock or as needing a shepherd.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ruler

↗

Sense 1: One who governs or exercises authority. Sense 2: A straight measuring instrument.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Israel

↗

The name given to Jacob and, by extension, his descendants, their nation, or the people so called.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

3And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.

4¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,

Selected passage

5Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

Selected passage

6Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Selected passage

7In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

Selected passage

8Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

Selected passage

9And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.