David Prepares to Build the Temple
1 Then David said,“Thisisthe house of theLordGod, and thisisthe altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2 So David commanded to gather thealiens whowerein the land of Israel; and he appointed masons tocut hewn stones to build the house of God.
3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundancebeyond measure,
4 and cedar trees in abundance; for theSidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
5 Now David said,“Solomon my sonisyoung and inexperienced, and the house to be built for theLordmustbeexceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.
6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for theLordGod of Israel.
7 And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me,it was in my mind to build a houseto the name of theLordmy God;
8 but the word of theLordcame to me, saying,‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.
9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give himrest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
10 He shall build a house for My name, andhe shall be My son, and Iwillbehis Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11 Now, my son, maytheLordbe with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of theLordyour God, as He has said to you.
12 Only may theLordgive you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of theLordyour God.
13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which theLordcharged Moses concerning Israel.Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.
14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of theLordone hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and ironbeyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.
15 Moreoverthereareworkmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.
16 Of gold and silver and bronze and ironthereisno limit. Arise and begin working, andtheLordbe with you.”
17 David also commanded all theleaders of Israel to help Solomon his son,saying,
18 “Isnot theLordyour God with you?And has Henotgiven you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before theLordand before His people.
19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek theLordyour God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of theLordGod, tobring the ark of the covenant of theLordand the holy articles of God into the house that is to be builtfor the name of theLord.”