5
And of all my sons (the LORD has given me many sons) he chose my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD's kingdom to rule Israel.
6
"He told me, 'Your son Solomon will build my temple and my courtyards because I have chosen him to be my son. I will be his father.
7
I will establish his kingdom forever if he will remain determined to obey my commands and laws, as he is doing today.'
8
Now, [leaders, I order you] in the sight of Israel (the LORD's congregation) and as our God listens to dedicate your lives to doing everything the LORD your God has commanded. Then you will be able to possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants.
9
"And you, my son Solomon, learn to know your father's God. Serve the LORD wholeheartedly and willingly because he searches every heart and understands every thought [we have]. If you dedicate your life to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will reject you from then on.
10
So be careful, because the LORD has chosen you to build the temple as his holy place. Be strong, and do it."
11
Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the entrance hall and the temple, its storerooms, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the throne of mercy.
12
He gave him plans for the courtyards of the LORD's temple and for all the rooms around it. (These rooms served as treasuries for God's temple and the gifts dedicated to God.)
13
He determined the divisions of priests and Levites. He planned all the work done for worship in the LORD's temple. He designed all the utensils for worship in the LORD's temple.
14
[David specified] the weight of gold to be used for each of the utensils for worship,
15
the weight of the gold lamp stands and their gold lamps ([that is,] the weight of gold for each lamp stand and its lamps), the weight of silver for each silver lamp stand and its lamps (according to the use of each lamp stand for worship),