1 Then Davidsaid, "1This is the house of the LORDGod, and this is the altar of burntoffering for Israel."
2
So Davidgaveorders to gather2the foreignerswho were in the land of Israel, and 3he setstonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.
3
David4preparedlargequantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps, and more5bronze than could be weighed;
4
and timbers of cedar logs beyondnumber, for 6the Sidonians and Tyriansbroughtlargequantities of cedartimber to David.
5
Davidsaid, "My son7Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedinglymagnificent, famous and glorious throughout alllands. Therefore now I will makepreparation for it." So Davidmadeamplepreparationsbefore his death.
Solomon Charged with the Task
6 Then 8he called for his sonSolomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORDGod of Israel.
7
Davidsaid to Solomon, "9My son, I had intended to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.
8
"But the word of the LORDcame to me, saying, '10You have shedmuchblood and have wagedgreatwars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so muchblood on the earthbefore Me.
9
'Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and 11I will give him rest from all his enemies on everyside; for 12his name shall be Solomon, and I will givepeace and quiet to Israel in his days.
10
'13He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdomoverIsraelforever*.'
11
"Now, my son, 14the LORD be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the LORD your Godjust as He has spokenconcerning you.
12
"15Only the LORDgive you discretion and understanding, and give you chargeoverIsrael, so that you may 16keep the law of the LORD your God.
13
"17Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinanceswhich the LORDcommandedMosesconcerningIsrael. 18Be strong and courageous, do not fearnor be dismayed.
14
"Now behold, with greatpains I have prepared for the house of the LORD19100,000*talents of gold and 1,000,000*talents of silver, and 20bronze and ironbeyondweight, for they are in greatquantity; also timber and stone I have prepared, and you may add to them.
15
"Moreover, there are manyworkmen with you, stonecutters and masons of stone and carpenters*, and allmen who are skillful in every kind of work.
16
"Of the gold, the silver and the bronze and the ironthere is nolimit. Arise and work, and may 21the LORD be with you."
17
22David also commandedall the leaders of Israel to help his sonSolomon, saying,
18
"Is not the LORD your God with you? And 23has He not given you rest on everyside? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subduedbefore the LORD and before His people.
19
"Now24set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORDGod, 25so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holyvessels of God into the house that is to be built26for the name of the LORD."