David Prepares for Temple Building
1 Then David said, “This is the house of the LordGod, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2 So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he assigned stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.
3 David prepared large quantities of iron to make nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps (trusses), and more bronze than could be weighed;
4 and cedar trees beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David.
5 David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lordshall be exceedingly magnificent, famous, and an object of gloryandsplendor throughout all lands [of the earth]. So now I will make preparations for it.” Therefore, David made ample preparations before his death.
Solomon Charged with the Task
6 Then he called for Solomon his son and ordered him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.
7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house for theName (Presence) of the Lordmy God.
8 But the word of the Lordcame to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house for My Name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before me.
9 ~‘Behold, a son will be born to you, who will be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.
10 ~‘He shall build a house for My Name (Presence). He shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish his royal throne over Israel forever.’
11 Now, my son, may the Lordbe with you so that you may be successful and build the house of the Lordyour God, just as He has spoken concerning you.
12 Only may the Lordgive you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lordyour God.
13 Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observeandfulfill the statutes and ordinances which the Lordcommanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.
14 Now listen,with great trouble I have preparedandprovided for the house of the Lord100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for they are great in quantity. I have also preparedandprovided timber and stone, and you may add to them.
15 Further, you have workmen in abundance: stonecutters and stonemasons and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work.
16 As for the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no limit. So arise and begin working, and may the Lordbe with you.”
17 David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son,saying,
18 “Is not the Lordyour God with you? And has He not given you restandpeace on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lordand before His people.
19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek (inquire of, require as your vital necessity) the Lordyour God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LordGod, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lordand the holy articlesandutensils of God into the house built for the Name (Presence) of the Lord.”