1 Chronicles 28:3
New International Version
But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’

New Living Translation
but God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’

English Standard Version
But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

Berean Standard Bible
but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.’

King James Bible
But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

New King James Version
But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.’

New American Standard Bible
But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

NASB 1995
“But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

NASB 1977
“But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

Legacy Standard Bible
But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

Amplified Bible
But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My Name (Presence), because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

Christian Standard Bible
but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’”

American Standard Version
But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.

Contemporary English Version
but the LORD has refused to let me build it, because he said I have killed too many people in battle.

English Revised Version
But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But God told me, 'You must not build the temple for my name. You have fought wars and caused bloodshed.'

Good News Translation
but he has forbidden me to do it, because I am a soldier and have shed too much blood.

International Standard Version
But then God told me, 'You will not build a temple to my name, because you are a man of war, and you have committed bloodshed.'

Majority Standard Bible
but God said to me, ?You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.?

NET Bible
But God said to me, 'You must not build a temple to honor me, for you are a warrior and have spilled blood.'

New Heart English Bible
But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood.'

Webster's Bible Translation
But God said to me, Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

World English Bible
But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and God has said to me, You do not build a house for My Name, for you [are] a man of wars, and you have shed blood.

Young's Literal Translation
and God hath said to me, Thou dost not build a house to My name, for a man of wars thou art, and blood thou hast shed.

Smith's Literal Translation
And God said to me, Thou shalt not build a house to my name, for thou a man of war, and thou didst pour out bloods.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And God said to me: Thou shalt not build a house to my name: because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But God said to me: ‘You shall not build a house to my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood.’

New American Bible
But God said to me, You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man who waged wars and shed blood.

New Revised Standard Version
But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, for you are a warrior and have shed blood.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the LORD said to me, You shall not build a house for my name because you are a man of war and have shed much blood.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to me: “You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a Warrior and because you are a man who has shed much blood.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But God said unto me: Thou shalt not build a house for My name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
but God said, Thou shalt not build me a house to call my name upon it, for thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Commissions Solomon
2Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it, 3but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has spilled blood.’ 4Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 7:5-13
“Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? / For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling. / In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ ...

1 Kings 5:3-5
“As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. / But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis. / So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’

1 Kings 8:17-19
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. / But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. / Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

2 Samuel 7:12-13
And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

1 Kings 2:15
“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

1 Kings 6:12-13
“As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, carry out My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David. / And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel.”

1 Kings 8:20
Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 6:7-9
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. / But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. / Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

2 Samuel 12:10
Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

1 Kings 5:3
“As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet.

2 Samuel 7:1-2
After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, / he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

2 Chronicles 22:8
So while Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them.

Acts 7:46-47
who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. / But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.

Hebrews 9:11
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.

Matthew 1:1
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:


Treasury of Scripture

But God said to me, You shall not build an house for my name, because you have been a man of war, and have shed blood.

Thou shalt

1 Chronicles 17:4
Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

1 Chronicles 22:8
But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

2 Samuel 7:5-13
Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? …

blood [heb] bloods

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1 Chronicles 28
1. David in a solemn assembly having declared God's favor to him,
5. and promise to his son Solomon, exhorts them to fear God
9. He encourages Solomon to build the temple
11. He gives him patterns, gold and silver, etc














but God said to me
This phrase indicates direct divine communication, emphasizing the personal relationship between God and David. Throughout the Old Testament, God often communicated His will to leaders and prophets, guiding the course of Israel's history. This divine directive underscores the importance of obedience to God's specific plans, as seen in other instances such as God's instructions to Moses and Joshua.

‘You are not to build a house for My Name
The "house" refers to the temple, a central place of worship for Israel. The temple was to be a symbol of God's presence among His people. David's desire to build the temple is recorded in 2 Samuel 7, but God had different plans, choosing Solomon, David's son, for this task. This decision highlights the theme of divine sovereignty and the importance of God's timing and choice in fulfilling His purposes.

because you are a man of war
David's identity as a warrior king is well-documented, with numerous battles fought to establish and secure Israel's borders. His military campaigns were instrumental in unifying the nation and providing peace, yet they also defined his reign. This phrase suggests that the temple, a place of peace and worship, was to be built by someone whose life was not marked by warfare.

who has shed blood
The shedding of blood refers to David's involvement in battles and possibly his personal actions, such as the incident with Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11). While David was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), his life was marked by violence, which God deemed unsuitable for the builder of His temple. This decision reflects the biblical principle that certain roles and tasks are reserved for those who embody specific qualities, in this case, peace and rest, which Solomon represented. Solomon's name itself is derived from "shalom," meaning peace, further emphasizing his suitability for building the temple.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel who desired to build a temple for the Lord. Known for his heart after God, but also for being a warrior king.

2. God
The sovereign Lord who communicates His will to David, emphasizing His holiness and the importance of His plans.

3. Solomon
David's son, who is chosen by God to build the temple, representing peace and a new era for Israel.

4. The Temple
The house intended for God's Name, symbolizing His presence among His people.

5. Jerusalem
The city where the temple was to be built, central to Israel's worship and identity.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in His Plans
God has specific purposes and plans that may differ from our desires. David's heart was in the right place, but God's plan was different.

The Role of Peace in God's Work
Solomon, a man of peace, was chosen to build the temple, highlighting the importance of peace in fulfilling God's purposes.

Understanding Our Role in God's Kingdom
Like David, we may have roles that prepare the way for others. Recognizing and accepting our part in God's plan is crucial.

The Importance of Holiness
The temple was to be a holy place for God's Name. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, should reflect God's holiness.

Trusting God's Timing
David had to trust God's timing and plan for the temple. We must also trust God's timing in our lives and ministries.(3) But God said unto me.--The emphasis lies on the word God, which is in direct contrast with the "I--in my heart it was," of 1Chronicles 28:2. (Comp. 1Chronicles 22:8, of which this verse is a summary.)

Verse 3. - The contents of this verse are stated, as already seen, even more forcibly in 1 Chronicles 22:8; while far less forcibly in 2 Samuel 7:5; 1 Kings 5:5.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but God
וְהָאֱלֹהִים֙ (wə·hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

said
אָ֣מַר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

‘You are not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to build
תִבְנֶ֥ה (ṯiḇ·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

a house
בַ֖יִת (ḇa·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

for My Name,
לִשְׁמִ֑י (liš·mî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַ֖תָּה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are a man
אִ֧ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of war
מִלְחָמ֛וֹת (mil·ḥā·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

who has spilled
שָׁפָֽכְתָּ׃ (šā·p̄ā·ḵə·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

blood.’
וְדָמִ֥ים (wə·ḏā·mîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 28:3 But God said to me You shall (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 28:2
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