² He rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows:

“My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a temple in which the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord could rest—a place for our God to live in.^[a] I have now collected everything that is necessary for the building, ³ but God has told me, ‘You are not to build my temple, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’

⁴ “Nevertheless, the Lord God of Israel has chosen me from among all my father’s family to begin a dynasty that will rule Israel forever; he has chosen the tribe of Judah, and from among the families of Judah, my father’s family; and from among his sons, the Lord took pleasure in me and has made me king over all Israel. ⁵ And from among my sons—the Lord has given me many children—he has chosen Solomon to succeed me on the throne of his kingdom of Israel. ⁶ He has told me, ‘Your son Solomon shall build my Temple; for I have chosen him as my son and I will be his father.

⁹ Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will permanently throw you aside.