1 Then David said, "This is where the LORD God's temple will be. Israel's altar for burnt offerings will also be here." 2 David ordered the foreigners living in Israel to gather. He appointed some of them to cut stones to build God's temple. 3 David prepared a large quantity of iron for nails and fittings on the doors of the gates. He also prepared so much bronze that it couldn't be weighed. 4 The men of Sidon and Tyre brought David so many cedar logs that the logs couldn't be counted. 5 David thought, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the temple that will be built for the LORD must be magnificent, large, famous, praised, and honored in all other countries. I'll prepare the building materials for him." So David prepared many materials for Solomon before he died. 6 He summoned his son Solomon and commanded him to build a temple for the LORD God of Israel. 7 David told his son Solomon, "I had my heart set on building a temple for the name of the LORD, my God. 8 But the LORD spoke his word to me by saying, 'You have caused a lot of bloodshed and fought in a lot of wars. You must not build a temple for my name because you have caused so much bloodshed in my presence. 9 You will have a son who will be a peaceful man. I will give him peace from all the enemies around him. His name will be Solomon Peace, and in his time I will give Israel peace and quiet. 10 He will build a temple for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom permanently over Israel.'" 11 David continued, "Now, son, the LORD will be with you. You will be successful, and you will build the temple of the LORD your God as he predicted you would. 12 The LORD will give you insight and understanding as he commands you to take charge of Israel and to follow the Teachings of the LORD your God. 13 Then you will succeed if you will carefully obey the laws and decrees the LORD commanded Moses to give to Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or terrified. 14 "Despite my troubles I've made preparations for the LORD's temple. There are 7,500,000 pounds of gold, 75,000,000 pounds of silver, and so much bronze and iron that it can't be weighed. I've also prepared wood and stones, and you may add to them. 15 You have many kinds of workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work. 16 The gold, silver, bronze, and iron are more than can be counted. So get to work! May the LORD be with you." 17 David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. 18 David said, "Isn't the LORD your God with you? Hasn't he given you peace with all your neighbors? He put the people who live in this country under my power, and the country has been conquered by the LORD and his people. 19 So dedicate your hearts and lives to serving the LORD your God. Start building the holy place of the LORD God so that you can bring the ark of the LORD's promise and God's holy utensils into the temple that will be built for the LORD's name." GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. | |