1Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the LORD God, and the place of the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.” 2And David gave orders to assemble the foreigners (sojourners) in the land of Israel; and he assigned masons to hew out stones to build the house of God. 3And David stockpiled much iron for the nails for the doors of the gateways, and for the fasteners; and bronze in abundance beyond weight; 4And cedar trees in abundance; for the Sidonians and those of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. 5And David said, “Solomon, my son, is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be very magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. Therefore, I will, begin preparations for it now.” So David made extensive preparations for it before his death. 6Then he called for Solomon, his son, and charged him with building a house (Temple) for the LORD God of Israel. 7David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to honor the name of the LORD my God: 8But then this word of the LORD came to me, ‘You have shed much blood, in your many wars: you shall not build a house to honor My name, because you have shed much blood upon the earth in My sight. 9But you shall have a son born to you, who shall be a man of peace; for I will give him rest from all the enemy nations around him. His name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10He shall build a house for My name; and shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 11Now, my son, may the LORD be with you; and give you success; and build the Temple of the LORD your God, as He has said you would. 12And may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the law of the LORD your God, when He gives you charge over Israel. 13Then shall you succeed, if you are diligent to observe the statutes and ordinances which the LORD gave to Moses for Israel. Be strong, and of good courage; fear not, nor be dismayed. 14Now, I have taken great pains to provide these materials for the Temple of the LORD: a hundred thousand talents (over 6½ million pounds) of gold; a million talents (over 66 million pounds) of silver; more bronze and iron than can be weighed; timber; and stone; and you may wish to add to this. 15You have workers in abundance – stone cutters, lumbermen, and men skilled in all manner of work - 16Goldsmiths, silversmiths, and men skilled in working with bronze, and iron, beyond no number. Now begin that work, and may the LORD be with you.” 17David also ordered all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon, his son, by saying, 18“Is the LORD your God not with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? He has put the former occupants of the land under my control; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and His people. 19Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin the work of building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy articles of God, into the Temple to be built to honor the name of the LORD.” Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |