1 Kings 8:18

18 but Yahweh said to David my father, 'Because {you desired} to build a house for my name, you did well in that it was within your heart.

1 Kings 8:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:18

And the Lord said unto David my father
By Nathan the prophet:

whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou
didst well that it was in thine heart;
his design was good, and so far it was acceptable to the Lord, that he thought of such a thing, though it was not his pleasure that should do it, as follows.

1 Kings 8:18 In-Context

16 'From the day that I brought out my people Israel from Egypt I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a house where my name might be, but I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'

17 {David my father desired} to build a house for the name of Yahweh the God of Israel,

18 but Yahweh said to David my father, 'Because {you desired} to build a house for my name, you did well in that it was within your heart.

19 However, you will not build the house, but your son who has come from your loins, he shall build the house for my name.'

20 Yahweh has carried out his promise which he had made; I have risen in place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel as Yahweh promised, and I have built the house for the name of Yahweh the God of Israel.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "it was within your heart"