1David gathered all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king by turns, the captains over thousands, the captains over hundreds, the stewards over all the property and livestock of the king and of his sons, together with the officers, the mighty men, and all the brave men.
2Then King David stood up on his feet and said, "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, a place for the footstool of our God, and I had made ready to build it."
3But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for my name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.'
4Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me out of all my father's family to be king over Israel for ever. For he has chosen Judah to be the ruler, and out of the house of Judah, my father's house; and among my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.
5And out of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6He said to me, 'Solomon your son shall build my house and my courts. For I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7I will also make his kingdom sure for ever, if he keeps on doing my commandments and my judgments, as he does this day.'
8So now, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the LORD, and while our God is listening, keep and search out all the commandments of the LORD your God. Then you may possess this good land, and leave it to your children after you as an inheritance for ever.
9"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father. Serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every plan of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you turn away from him, he will cast you off for ever."
10"Take care now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it."
11Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the porch, and of its buildings, and its treasuries, and its upper rooms, and its inner rooms, and the place of the mercy seat.
12He gave him the plan of all that he had by the spirit: of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the rooms around them, and of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the things given to God.
13He also gave directions for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels used in the service of the house of the LORD.
14He gave gold by weight for the things of gold, for all the objects used in every kind of service; and silver by weight for all the objects of silver, for all the objects used in every kind of service.
15He gave the weight for the lampstands of gold and for their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and for its lamps; and for the lampstands of silver by weight, for each lampstand and for its lamps, according to how each lampstand was used.
16He gave gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for each table, and silver for the tables of silver.
17He gave pure gold for the forks, the bowls, and the cups; and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for each basin, and silver by weight for each basin of silver.
18For the altar of incense he gave refined gold by weight; and gold for the plan of the chariot of the cherubim, which spread out their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19"All this," said David, "the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, all the works of this plan."
20David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and brave, and do it. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, will be with you. He will not fail you or leave you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."
21"Look, here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites. They will be with you for all the service of the house of God. And every willing, skilful man will be with you for every kind of work and every kind of service. The leaders also and all the people will do whatever you command."