1David said, “This is where the LORD God’s Temple will be, along with the altar of burnt offerings for Israel.”

David’s Plan to Build the Temple

2David subsequently issued orders to conscript the resident aliens who lived in the land of Israel and appointed stonecutters to prepare stones for building a temple for God. 3David also provisioned abundant supplies of iron for nails to build the doors for gates and to build clamps. Furthermore, he provided so much bronze it wasn’t inventoried, 4as well as an innumerable amount of cedar logs, since the Sidonians and Tyrians brought vast amounts of cedar to David.

5David thought, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced. The temple that will be built for the LORD is to be magnificent, well known, and internationally honored, so I will complete preparations for it.” So before his death, David finished providing a great quantity of materials for it.

David Commissions Solomon to Build the Temple

6Later, David called for his son Solomon and directed him to build a temple to the LORD God of Israel. 7David addressed Solomon: “I have attempted to build a temple to the name of the LORD my God. 8But this message from the LORD came to me, telling me

‘You have shed a lot of blood and fought great battles. You won’t be building a house for my name, since you have shed so much blood on the earth in my sight. 9But look! A son born to you will live comfortably,a because I will give him rest from all his enemies that surround him on every side, since his name will be “Solomon”—I will give peace and quiet for Israel during his lifetime. 10He will build a temple to my name. He will be a son to me, I myself will be a father to him, and I will secure his royal throne in Israel forever.’

11So now, my son, may the LORD be with you, so that you are successful in constructing the Temple of the LORD your God, just as he has spoken about you.

12“Only may the LORD give you discretion and understanding as he places you in charge over Israel, so you can keep the Law of the LORD your God. 13Then you will be successful, if you keep on observing the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, be courageous, and never give in to fear or dismay. 14At great effort I have provided for the Temple of the LORD 100,000 gold talents,b 1,000,000 silver talents,c as well as bronze and iron beyond calculation, since there is so much of it. I’ve also provided timber and stone, but you’ll need to obtain more. 15You already have plenty of workers, including stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and an innumerable group of artisans who are skilled at working in 16gold, silver, bronze, and iron. So begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”

17David also issued these orders to all of the leaders of Israel to assist his son Solomon: 18“Isn’t the LORD your God with you? Hasn’t he surrounded you with comfort? He has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my control, and the land lies subdued both in the LORD’s presence and before his people. 19So set your minds and hearts to seek the LORD your God, to get up, and to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be stored in a temple built for the name of the LORD.”