1And David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem - the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the divisions that ministered to the king by course, the commanders over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, the stewards of all of David’s substance and property, his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty and valiant men. 2Then David rose to his feet, and said, “Hear me, my fellow Israelites and brothers in arms, my people: I had in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations for building it; 3But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a Temple for My name, because you have been a man of war, and have shed much blood.’ 4Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the family of my father from the tribe of Judah, to be king over Israel forever; for He was pleased to make me king over all Israel: 5And of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), He has chosen Solomon, my son, to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6And He said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build My Temple and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. 7I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is faithful to obey My commandments and My ordinances, as at this day.’ 8Therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and follow all the commandments of the LORD your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9And you, Solomon, my son, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all our desires, imaginations, and thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10Take heed now; for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”

11Then David gave to Solomon the plans for the portico (porch) of the Temple, its buildings, storerooms, upper chambers, inner rooms, and the place of atonement (mercy seat) - 12Plans that he had received by the Spirit, for the courts of the Temple of the LORD, and of all the surrounding chambers, of the treasuries of the Temple of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated gifts; 13As well as for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the Temple of the LORD, and for all the articles to be used in the service in the Temple of the LORD. 14He specified the weight in gold for the things of gold, for the vessels for all manner of service; the weight of silver also for all vessels of silver, for the various kinds of service; 15The weight for the lampstands of gold, and for their lamps of gold: the weight of gold for each lampstand, its lamps; and the weight of silver for the lampstands of silver, for both the lampstand, and its lamps, and how each should be used. 16And the weight in gold for each table of showbread; and likewise the silver for the tables of silver; 17And the forks, basins, pitchers of pure gold; the golden bowls, with the weight for each bowl; and for the silver bowls, the weight for each bowl; 18And for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and gold for the model of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread their wings over the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19“The details of all these plans”, said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me.”

20And David said to Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it. Do not fear, nor be discouraged; for the LORD God, my God, will be with you; He will not fail, nor forsake you. He will see to it that all the work for the service of the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly. 21And the divisions of the priests and Levites shall be with you for the service of the Temple of God; and there shall be with you all manner of willing workers, skilled in every craft, for the work at hand. And the leaders and all the people will be wholly at your commandment.”