King David takes impregnable Jerusalem from the Jebusites, makes it a royal, political and theological capital, and is promised an eternal dynasty fulfilled in his descendant, Jesus.

2nd Book of Samuel, Chapter 7

Mazar, Eilat. The Palace of King David; Excavations at the Summit of the City of David Preliminary Report of Seasons 2005-2007

After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

Jacopo Palma il Giovane, The Prophet Nathan Admonishes King David, early 17th century

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

Painting Depicting Tabernacle In The Old Testament by Eileen Szydlowski

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

Child's Story of the Bible, by Mary A. Lathbury

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

King David's Tomb is a site considered by some to be the burial place of David, King of Israel, according to a tradition beginning in the 12th century. The majority of historians and archaeologists do not consider the site to be the actual resting place of King David

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

Vision of John of Patmos from the Book of Revelation (4:4)—four seraphim surround the throne of Christ, twenty-four elders sit on thrones to either side (Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry)

D.F. Payne (Senior Lecturer in Semitic Studies at Queen's University of Belfast and Academic Dean of London Bible College) comments:

7:1-17 Nathan's prophecy

Nathan, on the right, with King David, by Matthias Scheits (1630-1700)

This chapter continues and completes the story of David and the Jerusalem sanctuary.  The events recorded in it belong to a fairly lade date in David's reign, as verse 1 implies.

The most important passage in the books of Samuel, and one of the key passages in the whole OT

The Hereford Mapa Mundi (c. 1280 AD), depicting Jerusalem at the centre of the world

We have here the most important passage in the books of Samuel, and one of the key passages in the whole OT. It discusses the future of the Jerusalem sanctuary and of the Davidic monarchy—the two institutions which were vital to the people of Israel for several centuries after David. Through the prophet Nathan, God made firm promises to David about both of these things. These solemn divine promises amounted to an ‘everlasting covenant’ given to David (see 23:5).

A house for God and a house for David

The Tel Dan Stele (870–750 BCE) with reference to the "House of David"

The two themes are cleverly linked by the use of the word ‘house’. The same Hebrew word not only meant an ordinary house, but also a temple, and thirdly a dynasty (just as in English, the current British royal family is called ‘the house of Windsor’). The chapter begins by discussing David’s plans to build a temple for Yahweh, a house for God (5). Then in verse 11, the theme of a house for David is introduced—not his palace, but the Davidic dynasty, i.e. the sons and descendants who would succeed him as kings in Jerusalem.

The dynasty will last for ever even though some of David’s descendants would be unworthy kings, and would deserve and get divine punishment

The genealogy of the kings of Israel and Judah. Based on a literal interpretation of 1 and 2 Kings. Note: In the kings of Israel, a horizontal arrow can indicate a change of dynasty (lack of known genealogical connection).

God’s promises about both these things are brought together in verse 13: David’s son will build the temple; the dynasty will last for ever. These are very positive promises, but the chapter contains a number of negative points too. First, David’s plan to build the temple is refused. Secondly, God does not take pleasure in temples. (These two points are implied by verses 5-7.) Thirdly, verse 14 recognizes that some of David’s descendants would be unworthy kings, and would deserve and get divine punishment. These various points, both positive and negative, provide a description and an explanation for the events from David’s time (early tenth century BC) down to 587 BC. In that period the temple was built, not by David, but by his son Solomon. Many of their successors were weak or sinful, but the dynasty continued unbroken for four centuries.

In 587 BC, while Judah ceased to be a kingdom and the family of David never regained the throne, God's promise about David's descendants was permanent and fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ

Mary nursing the Infant Jesus. Early image from the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, c. 2nd century.

In 587 BC, the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, and Judah ceased to be a kingdom. The family of David continued in existence, but never regained the throne. What message does this chapter hold for such a changed situation? It tells us first that God is not dependent on temples, and his people, therefore, do not need temples. Stephen re–emphasized this lesson in NT times (see Acts 7:44-50). Secondly, God’s promise about David’s descendants was permanent. It was the basis of the expectation of the Messiah, ‘great David’s greater Son’. This promise gave assurance to the generations of God’s people who lived in the last centuries of the OT period, and then received its fulfilment in the birth of Jesus Christ; as the whole New Testament and the Christian church bear witness.

Jesus Christ is the Son of David, the Messiah

The acronym INRI (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews) written in three languages, as in John 19:20,^[112] Ellwangen Abbey, Germany.

All these promises, as God fulfilled them, would make David’s name great (9). Without question, David was Israel’s greatest king and his reputation stands for all time as one of the greatest men of history. However, his God–given greatness was not for his own benefit and glory, but in order to benefit the nation he ruled. So verse 10 indicates God’s plans and promises for Israel through David. These promises came true during David’s own reign and remained God’s ultimate plans for his people despite the fact that in later times Israel and Judah often suffered political hardships, chiefly because of their sins against God. These plans depended on the fulfilment of God’s promise to send a Son of David, the Messiah, who would be the one finally to bring God’s people the security and peace they always need.

Source: Payne, D.F.  "1 and 2 Samuel."  In New Bible Commentary – 21st Century Edition, eds D.A. Carson, R.T. France, J.A. Motyer, and G.J. Wenham.  Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1994, page 325.