David’s Charge to Solomon^(A)

2 When the time drew near for David to die,^(B) he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

² “I am about to go the way of all the earth,”^(C) he said. “So be strong,^(D) act like a man, ³ and observe^(E) what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper^(F) in all you do and wherever you go ⁴ and that the Lord may keep his promise^(G) to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully^(H) before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

⁶ Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build^(A) a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. ⁷ David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart^(B) to build^(C) a house for the Name^(D) of the Lord my God. ⁸ But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars.^(E) You are not to build a house for my Name,^(F) because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. ⁹ But you will have a son who will be a man of peace^(G) and rest,^(H) and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon,^[a](I) and I will grant Israel peace and quiet^(J) during his reign. ¹⁰ He is the one who will build a house for my Name.^(K) He will be my son,^(L) and I will be his father. And I will establish^(M) the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’^(N)

¹¹ “Now, my son, the Lord be with^(O) you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. ¹² May the Lord give you discretion and understanding^(P) when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. ¹³ Then you will have success^(Q) if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws^(R) that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous.^(S) Do not be afraid or discouraged.

⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion^(A) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart^(B) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,^(C) he will be found by you; but if you forsake^(D) him, he will reject^(E) you forever.

¹⁰ Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

²⁰ David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous,^(A) and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake^(B) you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.^(C)