[1] Then David said, "Here shall be the house of the LORD God and here the
altar of burnt offering for Israel." [2] David commanded to gather together
the aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to
prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. [3] David also
provided great stores of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for
clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, [4] and cedar
timbers without number; for the Sido'nians and Tyrians brought great
quantities of cedar to David. [5] For David said, "Solomon my son is young
and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be
exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands; I will
therefore make preparation for it." So David provided materials in great
quantity before his death. [6] Then he called for Solomon his son, and
charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. [7] David
said to Solomon, "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name
of the LORD my God. [8] But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, `You
have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house
to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me upon the earth.
[9] Behold, a son shall be born to you; he shall be a man of peace. I will
give him peace from all his enemies round about; 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. He shall be my son, and I will be his
father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel for ever.' [11]
Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the
house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you. [12] Only, may
the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you
charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your God. [13] Then you
will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances
which the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong, and of good courage.
Fear not; be not dismayed. [14] With great pains I have provided for the
house of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of
silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it;
timber and stone too I have provided. To these you must add. [15] You have
an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of
craftsmen without number, skilled in working [16] gold, silver, bronze, and
iron. Arise and be doing! The LORD be with you!" [17] David also commanded
all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, [18] "Is not the
LORD your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For
he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is
subdued before the LORD and his people. [19] Now set your mind and heart to
seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so
that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be
brought into a house built for the name of the LORD."
