1 Chronicles 22:1-13 ▼

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

2 David 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.

3 David 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,

4 as well as an innumerable amount of cedar logs, since the Sidonians and Tyrians brought vast amounts of cedar to David.

5 David 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.

6 Later, David called for his son Solomon and directed him to build a temple to the LORD God of Israel.

7 David addressed Solomon: |I have attempted to build a temple to the name of the LORD my God.

8 But 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.

9 But look! A son born to you will live comfortably, 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.

10 He 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.'

11 So 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.

13 Then 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.