1 Kings 8:18

18 But God told him 'It was good that you wanted to build a Temple in my honor - most commendable!

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 I brought my people Israel from Egypt, I haven't set apart one city among the tribes of Israel to build a Temple to fix my Name there. But I did choose David to rule my people Israel.'
17 "My father David had it in his heart to build a Temple honoring the Name of God, the God of Israel.
18 But God told him 'It was good that you wanted to build a Temple in my honor - most commendable!
19 But you are not the one to do it - your son will build it to honor my Name.'
20 "God has done what he said he would do: I have succeeded David my father and ruled over Israel just as God promised; and now I've built a Temple to honor God, the God of Israel,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.