1 Kings 8:18
New International Version
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name.

New Living Translation
But the LORD told him, ‘You wanted to build the Temple to honor my name. Your intention is good,

English Standard Version
But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

New King James Version
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

NASB 1995
“But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

NASB 1977
“But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Amplified Bible
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well, in that it was in your heart.

Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD said to my father David, “Since your heart was set on building a temple for my name, you have done well to have this desire.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD said to my father David,” Since it was your desire to build a temple for My name, you have done well to have this desire.

American Standard Version
But Jehovah said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart:

Contemporary English Version
the LORD said, "It's good that you want to build a temple where I can be worshiped.

English Revised Version
But the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, the LORD said to my father David, 'Since you had your heart set on building a temple for my name, your intentions were good.

Good News Translation
but the LORD said to him, 'You were right in wanting to build a temple for me,

International Standard Version
The LORD told my father David: 'Therefore, since you determined to build a temple for my name, you acted well, because it was your choice to do so.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The LORD told my father David, 'It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me.

New Heart English Bible
But the LORD said to David my father, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house to my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart.

World English Bible
But Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and YHWH says to my father David, Because that it has been with your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well that it has been with your heart;

Young's Literal Translation
and Jehovah saith unto David my father, Because that it hath been with thy heart to build a house for My name, thou hast done well that it hath been with thy heart;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to David my father, Because it was with thy heart to build a house for my name, it was good it was with thy heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to David my father: Whereas thou hast thought in thy heart to build a house to my name, thou hast done well in having this same thing in thy mind.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord said to my father David: ‘Since you have planned in your heart to build a house to my name, you have done well by considering this plan in your mind.

New American Bible
the LORD said to him: In wishing to build a house for my name, you did well.

New Revised Standard Version
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘You did well to consider building a house for my name;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in your heart to build a house to my name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to David my father: ‘For the sake of what was in your heart, to build a house to my name, it is beautiful what you have done, that was in your heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the LORD said unto David my father: Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for My name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said to David my father, Forasmuch as it came into thine heart to build a house to my name, thou didst well that it came upon thine heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Praises the LORD
17Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 18But 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. 19Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’…

Cross References
2 Samuel 7:2-13
he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” / And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” / But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, ...

1 Chronicles 17:1-12
After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” / And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” / But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ...

1 Chronicles 22:7-10
“My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, / but this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me. / But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign. ...

1 Chronicles 28:2-6
Then 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, / 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.’ / Yet 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. ...

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.’

Psalm 132:1-5
A song of ascents. O LORD, remember on behalf of David all the hardships he endured, / how he swore an oath to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: / “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, ...

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.

2 Samuel 7:16
Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

1 Chronicles 17:23-27
And now, O LORD, let the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be established forever. Do as You have promised, / so that Your name will be established and magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.’ And may the house of Your servant David be established before You. / For You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build a house for him. Therefore Your servant has found the courage to pray before You. ...

2 Chronicles 2:4-6
Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever. / The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. / But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him?

2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Isaiah 66:1-2
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Matthew 12:6
But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Acts 17:24
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in your heart to build an house to my name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Whereas

2 Chronicles 6:7-9
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel…

2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

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Build David Desire Heart House Temple Whereas
1 Kings 8
1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings














But the LORD said
This phrase introduces a divine communication, emphasizing the direct involvement of God in the affairs of Israel. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, highlighting His covenant relationship with Israel. This underscores the importance of divine guidance and approval in the plans of His people.

to my father David
David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the Old Testament. His desire to build a temple for God reflects his deep devotion and commitment to honoring God. Historically, David's reign is marked by the unification of Israel and the establishment of Jerusalem as its capital, making his intention to build a temple a significant step in centralizing worship.

Since it was on your heart
The phrase "on your heart" indicates a deep, sincere desire or intention. In Hebrew culture, the heart is often seen as the seat of will and emotion. David's intention to build a temple was not merely a passing thought but a profound, heartfelt aspiration, reflecting his love and reverence for God.

to build a house for My Name
The "house" refers to the temple, a physical structure intended to be the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. "For My Name" signifies that the temple would be dedicated to God's glory and honor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a name represented one's character and authority, so building a house for God's Name was an act of worship and recognition of His sovereignty.

you have done well
This commendation from God acknowledges David's good intentions. The Hebrew word for "well" can also imply righteousness or moral goodness. Although David was not permitted to build the temple himself, God's approval of his desire highlights the importance of intentions and the heart's posture in serving God.

to have this on your heart
Reiterating the earlier phrase, this emphasizes the significance of David's internal motivation. It serves as a reminder that God values the intentions and desires of the heart, even if the physical act is not carried out by the individual. This reflects a broader biblical principle that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances or actions alone.

Verse 18. - And the Lord said unto David my father [Not, perhaps, totidem verbis. The Divine approval was implied in 2 Samuel 7:11-16, and it may have been expressed at the same time. The narratives of Scripture are necessarily greatly condensed], Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my father
אָבִ֔י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

David,
דָּוִ֣ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

‘Since
יַ֗עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

it was
הָיָה֙ (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in your heart
לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ (lə·ḇā·ḇə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

to build
לִבְנ֥וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

a house
בַּ֖יִת (ba·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

you have done well
הֱטִיבֹ֔תָ (hĕ·ṭî·ḇō·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

to have this
הָיָ֖ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

your heart.
לְבָבֶֽךָ׃ (lə·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:18 But Yahweh said to David my father (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:17
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