David Prepares to Build the Temple

² David gave orders to gather together the aliens who were residing in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God.^{(A) 3} David also provided great stores of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing,^{(B) 4} and cedar logs without number—for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David.^{(C) 5} For David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorified throughout all lands; I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.^(D)