1 Chronicles 28:1-8

Expanded Bible

David’s Plans for the Temple

28 David ·commanded [summoned] all the ·leaders [officials] of Israel to come to Jerusalem. There were the ·leaders [officials; commanders; chiefs] of the tribes, ·commanders [officers] of the army divisions serving the king, commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, ·leaders [officials; overseers] who took care of the property and animals that belonged to the king and his sons, ·men over the palace [palace officials], the ·powerful [mighty] men, and all the ·brave [valiant] warriors.

² King David stood up and said, “Listen to me, my ·relatives [brothers] and my people. I ·wanted [intended; planned; had my heart set] to build a place to keep the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. I wanted it to be God’s footstool. So I made ·plans [preparations] to build ·a temple [it]. ³ But God said to me, ‘You must not build a ·temple [^Lhouse] for ·worshiping me [my name/Name], because you are a ·soldier [man of war] and have ·killed many people [shed blood; ^Che completed the conquest of Canaan].’

⁴ “·But [Yet; Nevertheless] the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole ·family [clan; father’s house] to be king of Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to ·lead [rule], and from the ·people [house] of Judah, he chose my father’s ·family [clan; ^Lhouse]. From ·that family [^Lmy father’s sons] God was pleased to make me king ·of [over all] Israel. ⁵ The Lord has given me many sons, and from those sons he has chosen Solomon to ·be the new king [^Lsit on the throne] of Israel. Israel is the Lord’s kingdom. ⁶ The Lord said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my ·Temple [^Lhouse] and ·its courtyards [my courts]. I have chosen Solomon to be my son, and I will be his father. ⁷ He is obeying my laws and commands now. If he continues ·to obey them [resolutely; unswervingly], I will ·make his kingdom strong [establish/secure his kingdom] forever.’”

⁸ David said, “Now, in ·front [the sight] of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of God, I tell you these things: Be careful to ·obey [observe; follow] all the commands of the Lord your God. Then you will ·keep [possess] this good land and ·pass it on [^Lleave it as an inheritance] to your ·descendants [children] forever.