1 Chronicles 22

New King James Version

David Prepares to Build the Temple

22 Then David said,^(A)“Thisisthe house of theLordGod, and thisisthe altar of burnt offering for Israel.”² So David commanded to gather the^(B)aliens whowerein the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to^(C)cut hewn stones to build the house of God.³ And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance^(D)beyond measure,⁴ and cedar trees in abundance; for the^(E)Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

⁵ Now David said,^(F)“Solomon my sonisyoung and inexperienced, and the house to be built for theLordmust beexceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.

⁶ Then he called for his son Solomon, and^[a]charged him to build a house for theLordGod of Israel.⁷ And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me,^(G)it was in my mind to build a house^(H)to the name of theLordmy God;⁸ but the word of theLordcame to me, saying,^(I)‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.^9 (J)Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him^(K)rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be^[b]Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.^10 (L)He shall build a house for My name, and^(M)he shall be My son, and Iwill behis Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’¹¹ Now, my son, may^(N)theLordbe with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of theLordyour God, as He has said to you.¹² Only may theLord^(O)give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of theLordyour God.^13 (P)Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which theLord^[c]charged Moses concerning Israel.^(Q)Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.¹⁴ Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of theLordone hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron^(R)beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.¹⁵ Moreoverthere areworkmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.¹⁶ Of gold and silver and bronze and ironthere isno limit. Arise and begin working, and^(S)theLordbe with you.”

¹⁷ David also commanded all the^(T)leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son,saying,¹⁸ “Isnot theLordyour God with you?^(U)And has Henotgiven you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before theLordand before His people.¹⁹ Now set your heart and your soul to seek theLordyour God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of theLordGod, to^(V)bring the ark of the covenant of theLordand the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built^(W)for the name of theLord.”