Bible in 90 Days

The Groups of the Priests

24 These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of Aaron’s sons: Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ² But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did [Lev. 10:1–2], and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. ³ David, with the help of Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, ·a descendant of Ithamar, separated their [^CAaron’s] ·family groups [descendants] into two different groups according to their ·various duties [assigned responsibilities/offices]. ⁴ There were more ·leaders [chiefs] from Eleazar’s ·family [descendants] than from Ithamar’s—sixteen ·leaders [heads of their clans] from Eleazar’s ·family [descendants] and eight ·leaders [heads of their clans] from Ithamar’s ·family [descendants]. ⁵ Men were ·chosen [divided; allocated; organized] ·impartially [or similarly] from Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s ·families [descendants] by throwing lots. Some men ·from each family were chosen to be in charge [were officials] of the ·Holy Place [sanctuary], and some were ·chosen to serve as priests [officials of God].

⁶ Shemaiah son of Nethanel, ·from the tribe [son] of Levi, was the ·secretary [recorder; scribe]. He recorded the names of those descendants in ·front [the presence] of King David, the ·officers [officials; leaders], Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the ·families [clans] of the priests and Levites. The work was divided by lots among the ·families [clans] of Eleazar and Ithamar. ⁷ The first ·one chosen was [lot fell to] Jehoiarib. The second was Jedaiah. ⁸ The third was Harim. The fourth was Seorim. ⁹ The fifth was Malkijah. The sixth was Mijamin. ¹⁰ The seventh was Hakkoz. The eighth was Abijah. ¹¹ The ninth was Jeshua. The tenth was Shecaniah. ¹² The eleventh was Eliashib. The twelfth was Jakim. ¹³ The thirteenth was Huppah. The fourteenth was Jeshebeab. ¹⁴ The fifteenth was Bilgah. The sixteenth was Immer. ¹⁵ The seventeenth was Hezir. The eighteenth was Happizzez. ¹⁶ The nineteenth was Pethahiah. The twentieth was Jehezkel. ¹⁷ The twenty-first was Jakin. The twenty-second was Gamul. ¹⁸ The twenty-third was Delaiah. The twenty-fourth was Maaziah.

¹⁹ These were ·the groups chosen to serve [or their appointed duties; ^Lthe order of their serving] in the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord. They obeyed the ·rules [procedures; regulations] given them by Aaron, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

The Other Levites

²⁰ These are the names of the rest of Levi’s descendants:

Shubael was a descendant of Amram, and Jehdeiah was a descendant of Shubael.

²¹ Isshiah was the ·first [firstborn; chief] son of Rehabiah.

²² From the Izhar ·family group [clan], there was Shelomoth, and Jahath was a descendant of Shelomoth.

²³ Hebron’s ·first son was [descendants included] Jeriah, Amariah was his second, Jahaziel was his third, and Jekameam was his fourth.

²⁴ Uzziel’s ·son was [descendants included] Micah. Micah’s son was Shamir. ²⁵ Micah’s brother was Isshiah, and Isshiah’s ·son was [descendants included] Zechariah.

²⁶ Merari’s descendants were Mahli and Mushi. Merari’s son was Jaaziah. ²⁷ Jaaziah ·son [descendant] of Merari had ·sons [descendants] named Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. ²⁸ Mahli’s ·son [descendant] was Eleazar, but Eleazar did not have any sons.

²⁹ Kish’s ·son [descendant] was Jerahmeel.

³⁰ Mushi’s ·sons were [descendants included] Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

These are the Levites, listed by their ·families [clans]. ³¹ They ·were chosen for special jobs by throwing [cast] lots in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of the ·families [clans] of the priests, and the Levites. They did this just as their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, had done. The families of the oldest brother and the youngest brother were treated the same.

The Music Groups

25 David and the ·commanders [officers] of the army chose some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to ·preach [proclaim; prophesy] and play harps, lyres, and cymbals. Here is a list of the men who ·served in this way [performed/were assigned these services]:

² Asaph’s sons who served were Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. King David ·chose [directed] Asaph to ·preach [proclaim; prophesy], and Asaph directed his sons.

³ Jeduthun’s sons who served were Gedaliah, ·Zeri [or Izri; v. 11], Jeshaiah, Shimei [^Cname not included in most manuscripts], Hashabiah, and Mattithiah. There were six of them, and Jeduthun directed them. He ·preached [proclaimed; prophesied] and used a harp to give thanks and praise to the Lord.

⁴ Heman’s sons who served were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. ⁵ All these were sons of Heman, David’s ·seer [prophet]. God promised to ·make Heman strong, so Heman had [exalt/honor him with] many sons. God gave him fourteen sons and three daughters. ⁶ Heman directed all his sons in ·making music [singing] for the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord with cymbals, lyres, and harps; that was their way of serving in the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God. King David ·was in charge of [directed; supervised] Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. ⁷ These men and their relatives were trained and skilled in ·making music for [singing to] the Lord. There were two hundred eighty-eight ·of them [with these skills; experts]. ⁸ Everyone threw lots ·to choose the time his family was to serve at the Temple [for their duties]. The ·young [small] and the ·old [great], the teacher and the student, had to throw lots.

⁹ First, the lot fell to Joseph, from the ·family [clan] of Asaph [^Cthe number twelve needs to be understood here, as in the following verses, to make the total come to the stated 288].

Second, twelve men were chosen from Gedaliah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁰ Third, twelve men were chosen from Zaccur, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹¹ Fourth, twelve men were chosen from ·Izri [or Zeri; v. 3], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹² Fifth, twelve men were chosen from Nethaniah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹³ Sixth, twelve men were chosen from Bukkiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁴ Seventh, twelve men were chosen from ·Jesarelah [or Asarelah; 25:2], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁵ Eighth, twelve men were chosen from Jeshaiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁶ Ninth, twelve men were chosen from Mattaniah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁷ Tenth, twelve men were chosen from Shimei, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁸ Eleventh, twelve men were chosen from ·Azarel [or Uzziel; 25:4], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

¹⁹ Twelfth, twelve men were chosen from Hashabiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁰ Thirteenth, twelve men were chosen from Shubael, his sons and·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²¹ Fourteenth, twelve men were chosen from Mattithiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²² Fifteenth, twelve men were chosen from Jerimoth, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²³ Sixteenth, twelve men were chosen from Hananiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁴ Seventeenth, twelve men were chosen from Joshbekashah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁵ Eighteenth, twelve men were chosen from Hanani, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁶ Nineteenth, twelve men were chosen from Mallothi, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁷ Twentieth, twelve men were chosen from Eliathah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁸ Twenty-first, twelve men were chosen from Hothir, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

²⁹ Twenty-second, twelve men were chosen from Giddalti, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

³⁰ Twenty-third, twelve men were chosen from Mahazioth, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

³¹ Twenty-fourth, twelve men were chosen from Romamti-Ezer, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers].

The Gatekeepers

26 These are the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers. From the ·family [clan] of Korah, there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, who was from Asaph’s ·family [descendants]. ² Meshelemiah had sons. Zechariah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jediael was second, Zebadiah was third, Jathniel was fourth, ³ Elam was fifth, Jehohanan was sixth, and Eliehoenai was seventh.

⁴ Obed-Edom had sons. Shemaiah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jehozabad was second, Joah was third, Sacar was fourth, Nethanel was fifth, ⁵ Ammiel was sixth, Issachar was seventh, and Peullethai was eighth. God indeed blessed Obed-Edom.

⁶ Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons. They ·were leaders in [ruled over] their father’s ·family [^Lhouse] because they were ·capable men [highly respected; ^Lmighty men of valor]. ⁷ Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose ·brothers [relatives] Elihu and Semakiah were ·skilled workers [or valiant men; or also respected]. ⁸ All these were Obed-Edom’s descendants. They and their sons and ·relatives [brothers; grandsons] were capable men and ·strong [well-qualified] workers. Obed-Edom had sixty-two ·descendants [relatives] in all.

⁹ Meshelemiah had sons and ·relatives [brothers] who were ·skilled workers [capable/respected men]. In all, there were eighteen.

¹⁰ From the Merari ·family [clan], Hosah had sons. Shimri, although not the oldest son, was chosen by his father to be in charge. ¹¹ Hilkiah was his second son, Tabaliah was third, and Zechariah was fourth. In all, Hosah had thirteen sons and ·relatives [brothers].

¹² These were the leaders of the ·groups [divisions; orders] of gatekeepers, and they served in the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, as did their ·relatives [brothers]. ¹³ By throwing lots, each ·family [clan] chose a gate to guard. ·Young [Small] and ·old [great] threw lots.

¹⁴ ·Meshelemiah [or Shelemiah; v. 2] was chosen by lot to guard the East Gate. Then lots were ·thrown [cast] for Meshelemiah’s son Zechariah. He was a ·wise counselor [prudent advisor] and was chosen for the North Gate. ¹⁵ Obed-Edom was ·chosen for [allotted] the South Gate, and Obed-Edom’s sons were ·chosen to guard [allotted] the storehouse. ¹⁶ Shuppim and Hosah were chosen for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the ·upper [ascending] road [^Cto the Temple].

·Guards stood side by side with guards [or Guard duty was evenly divided; ^LA guard alongside a guard]. ¹⁷ Six Levites stood guard every day at the East Gate; four stood guard every day at the North Gate; four stood guard every day at the South Gate; and two at a time guarded the storehouse. ¹⁸ There were two guards at the ·western court [colonnade; Parbar; ^Cthe gateway leading up to the Temple] and four guards on the road.

¹⁹ These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers from the ·families [clans; ^Lsons] of Korah and Merari.

Other Leaders

²⁰ ·Other [Their fellow/brother] Levites were ·responsible for guarding [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God and for the ·places where the holy items were kept [treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts].

²¹ ·Ladan [or Libni] was Gershon’s son and the ancestor of several ·family groups [clans]. ·Jehiel [or Jehieli; 23:8] was a ·leader [chief] of one of the ·family groups [clans]. ²² His sons were Zetham and Joel his brother, and they were ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord.

²³ Other leaders were chosen from the ·family groups [clans] of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ²⁴ Shubael,^[a] the descendant of Gershom, who was Moses’ son, was the ·leader [chief] ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries. ²⁵ These were Shubael’s relatives from Eliezer: Eliezer’s son Rehabiah, Rehabiah’s son Jeshaiah, Jeshaiah’s son Joram, Joram’s son Zicri, and Zicri’s son Shelomith. ²⁶ Shelomith and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] ·everything that had been collected for the Temple [the treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts collected] by King David, by the heads of ·families [clans], by the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and by other army ·commanders [officers]. ²⁷ They also ·gave [dedicated] some of the ·things they had [plunder; spoil] taken in wars to be used in repairing the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord. ²⁸ Shelomith and his relatives took care of all the ·holy items [dedicated/consecrated gifts]. Some had been given by Samuel the ·seer [prophet], Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah.

²⁹ Kenaniah was from the Izhar ·family [clan]. He and his sons worked outside the ·Temple [^Lhouse] as officers and judges in Israel.

³⁰ Hashabiah was from the Hebron ·family [clan]. He and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] the Lord’s work and ·the king’s business [served the king] in Israel west of the Jordan River. There were seventeen hundred ·skilled [capable; respected] men in Hashabiah’s group. ³¹ The ·history [genealogy] of the Hebron ·family [clan] shows that Jeriah was their ·leader [chief]. In David’s fortieth year ·as king [of reign], the ·records [genealogies] were searched, and some ·capable [skilled; respected] men of the Hebron ·family [clan] were found living at Jazer in Gilead. ³² Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives who were ·capable [skilled; respected] men and leaders of families. King David ·gave them the responsibility of directing [put them in charge of] the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [^Lthe half-tribe of] Manasseh in God’s work and the king’s ·business [service].

Army Divisions

27 This is the list of the Israelites who served the king in the army. Each division was on duty one month each year. There were leaders of ·families [clans], commanders of a thousand men, commanders of a hundred men, and other officers. Each division had twenty-four thousand men.

² Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division. ³ Jashobeam, one of the descendants of Perez, was ·leader [chief; commander] of all the army officers for the first month.

⁴ Dodai, from the Ahohites, was in charge of the division for the second month. Mikloth was a ·leader [chief; commander] in the division. There were twenty-four thousand men in Dodai’s division.

⁵ The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division. ⁶ He was the Benaiah who was one of the Thirty [11:11]. Benaiah was a ·brave [mighty] warrior who led those men. Benaiah’s son Ammizabad was in charge of Benaiah’s division.

⁷ The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Asahel, the brother of Joab. Later, Asahel’s son Zebadiah ·took his place as commander [succeeded him]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

⁸ The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, from Izrah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

⁹ The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh from the town of Tekoa. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

¹⁰ The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Helez. He was from the Pelonites and a descendant of Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

¹¹ The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai. He was from Hushah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

¹² The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Abiezer. He was from Anathoth in Benjamin. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

¹³ The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Maharai. He was from Netophah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

¹⁴ The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah. He was from Pirathon in Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

¹⁵ The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai. He was from Netophah and was from Othniel’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.

Leaders of the Tribes

¹⁶ These were ·the leaders [in charge] of the tribes of Israel. Eliezer son of Zicri was over the tribe of Reuben. Shephatiah son of Maacah was over the tribe of Simeon. ¹⁷ Hashabiah son of Kemuel was over the tribe of Levi. Zadok was over the people of Aaron. ¹⁸ Elihu, one of David’s brothers, was over the tribe of Judah. Omri son of Michael was over the tribe of Issachar. ¹⁹ Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was over the tribe of Zebulun. Jerimoth son of Azriel was over the tribe of Naphtali. ²⁰ Hoshea son of Azaziah was over the tribe of Ephraim. Joel son of Pedaiah was over ·West [^Lthe half-tribe of] Manasseh. ²¹ Iddo son of Zechariah was over ·East Manasseh [^Lthe half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead]. Jaasiel son of Abner was over the tribe of Benjamin. ²² Azarel son of Jeroham was over the tribe of Dan.

These were the ·leaders [chiefs; commanders] of the tribes of Israel.

²³ The Lord had promised to make the Israelites as ·many [numerous] as the stars ·in the sky [of heaven; Gen. 22:17; 26:4; Ex. 32:13]. So David did not count those younger than twenty years old. ²⁴ Joab son of Zeruiah began ·to count [the census of] the people, but he did not finish. ·God became angry with [^LWrath came upon] Israel for counting the people, so the number of the people was not put in the ·history book about [chronicles/annals of] King David.

The King’s Directors

²⁵ Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal ·storehouses [treasuries].

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the ·storehouses [treasuries] in the country, towns, villages, and ·towers [fortresses].

²⁶ Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who ·farmed [tilled] the land.

²⁷ Shimei, from the town of Ramah, was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi, from Shapham, was in charge of storing the wine that came from the vineyards.

²⁸ Baal-Hanan, from Geder, was in charge of the olive trees and sycamore trees in the ·western hills [^LShephelah].

Joash was in charge of storing the olive oil.

²⁹ Shitrai, from Sharon, was in charge of the herds that ·fed [grazed] in the Plain of Sharon.

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the ·herds [cattle] in the valleys.

³⁰ Obil, an Ishmaelite, was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah, from Meronoth, was in charge of the donkeys.

³¹ Jaziz, from the Hagrites, was in charge of the flocks.

All these men were the ·officers who took care [officials/overseers in charge] of King David’s property.

³² Jonathan was David’s uncle, and he ·advised [counseled] David. Jonathan was a ·wise man [man of understanding/insight] and a ·teacher of the law [scribe]. Jehiel son of Hacmoni ·took care of [taught; tutored] the king’s sons. ³³ Ahithophel ·advised [counseled] the king. Hushai, from the Arkite people, was the king’s ·friend [confidant]. ³⁴ Jehoiada and Abiathar later took Ahithophel’s place in ·advising [counseling] the king. Jehoiada was Benaiah’s son. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

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.

⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, ·accept [acknowledge; ^Lknow] the God of your father. Serve him ·completely and willingly [^Lwith your whole heart and a willing mind/spirit], because the Lord ·knows what is in everyone’s mind [^Lsearches every heart]. He understands ·everything you think [every desire/motive and thought]. If you ·go to him for help [seek him], ·you will get an answer [you will find him; or he will let you find him]. But if you ·turn away from [abandon; forsake] him, he will ·leave [reject] you forever. ¹⁰ Solomon, ·you must understand this [see now]. The Lord has chosen you to build ·the Temple [^La house] as his ·holy place [sanctuary]. Be strong and ·finish the job [do it; go to work].”

¹¹ Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for ·building the Temple [the porch/portico]. They included its buildings, its storerooms, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the ·place where the people’s sins were removed [room for atonement/^Tthe mercy seat]. ¹² David gave him plans for everything he had in mind: the courtyards around the Lord’s ·Temple [^Lhouse] and all the rooms around it, the ·Temple treasuries [storehouses of God’s house], and the ·treasuries [storehouse] of the ·holy items used in the Temple [dedicated/consecrated things/gifts]. ¹³ David gave Solomon directions for the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, and about the ·items [utensils] to be used for service in the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord ¹⁴ that were made of gold or silver. David told Solomon ·how much [the weight of] gold or silver to use to make each thing. ¹⁵ David told him ·how much [the weight of] gold to use for each gold lampstand and its lamps and ·how much [the weight of] silver to use for each silver lampstand and its lamps according to how the lampstands were to be used . ¹⁶ David told ·how much [the weight of] gold to use for each table that held the ·holy [^Tshow] bread and ·how much [the weight of] silver to use for the silver tables. ¹⁷ He told ·how much [the weight of] pure gold to use to make the forks, ·bowls [basins], and pitchers and ·how much [the weight of] gold to use to make each gold ·dish [bowl]. He told ·how much [the weight of] silver to use to make each silver ·dish [bowl] ¹⁸ and ·how much [the weight of] pure gold to use for the altar of incense. He also gave Solomon the plans for the ·chariot [or seat] of the ·golden creatures [cherubim] that spread their wings over the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord.

¹⁹ David said, “All these plans were written with the Lord ·guiding [directing] me. He ·helped me understand [made clear to me; gave me insight into/understanding of] everything in the plans.”

²⁰ David also said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and brave, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or ·leave [abandon; forsake] you until all the work for the service of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord is finished. ²¹ The ·groups [divisions; orders] of the priests and Levites are ready for all the ·work on [service of] the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God. Every skilled worker is ready to help you with all the work. The ·leaders [officials] and all the ·people [nation] will ·obey every command you give [be at your command].”

Gifts for Building the Temple

29 King David said to ·all the Israelites who were gathered [the entire assembly], “God chose my son Solomon, who is young and ·hasn’t yet learned what he needs to know [inexperienced], ·but [and] the ·work is important [task is great/huge]. This ·palace [temple] is not for ·people [mortals]; it is for the Lord God. ² I have ·done my best [made every effort; ^Laccording to all my strength] to prepare for building the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of my God. I have given gold for the things made of gold and silver for the things made of silver. I have given bronze for the things made of bronze and iron for the things made of iron. I have given wood for the things made of wood and onyx for the settings. I have given turquoise gems of many different colors, ·valuable [precious] stones, and ·white marble [alabaster]. I have given all these things in ·abundance [great quantities]. ³ I have already given this for the ·Temple [^Lhouse], but because of my ·devotion to [commitment to; delight in] the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of my God, I am also giving my own treasures of gold and silver. ⁴ I am giving ·about two hundred twenty thousand pounds [^Lthree thousand talents] of gold from Ophir and ·about five hundred twenty thousand pounds [^Lseven thousand talents] of ·pure [refined] silver. They will be used to ·cover [overlay] the walls of the buildings ⁵ and for all the gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is ·ready [willing] to ·give himself [consecrate/devote yourself] to the service of the Lord today [^Cby also making an offering]?”

⁶ The ·family [clan] leaders and the ·leaders [chiefs; heads] of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and the ·leaders [officials; overseers] ·responsible for [in charge of] the king’s work gave willingly. ⁷ They donated ·about three hundred eighty thousand pounds [^Lfive thousand talents] of gold, ·about seven hundred fifty thousand pounds [^Lten thousand darics] of silver, ·about one million three hundred fifty thousand pounds [^Leighteen thousand talents] of bronze, and ·about seven million five hundred thousand pounds [^Lone hundred thousand talents] of iron to the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God. ⁸ People who had ·valuable gems [precious stones] gave them to the treasury of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, under the care of Jehiel, from the Gershon ·family [clan]. ⁹ The leaders gave ·willingly and completely [freely and wholeheartedly] to the Lord. The people rejoiced to see their leaders give so gladly, and King David was also ·very happy [filled with joy].

David’s Prayer

¹⁰ David ·praised [blessed] the Lord in ·front [the presence] of all the ·people who were gathered [assembly]. He said:

²⁰ Then David said to all the ·people who were gathered [assembly], “·Praise [Bless] the Lord your God.” So they all ·praised [blessed] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], and they bowed to the ground ·to give honor to [and prostrated themselves before] the Lord and the king.

Solomon Becomes King^(A)

²¹ The next day the people sacrificed to the Lord. They offered burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] to him of a thousand bulls, a thousand ·male sheep [rams], and a thousand male lambs. They also brought ·drink offerings [libations]. Many sacrifices were made for all the people of Israel. ²² That day the people ·ate and drank [feasted] with much joy, ·and the Lord was with them [^Lbefore the Lord].

And they ·made [designated; acknowledged] David’s son Solomon king for the second time. They ·poured olive oil on Solomon to appoint [anointed] him king ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. And they ·poured oil on Zadok to appoint him [anointed Zadok] as priest. ²³ Then Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king and took his father David’s place. Solomon ·was very successful [prospered], and all the people of Israel obeyed him. ²⁴ All the ·leaders [officials; chiefs] and ·soldiers [mighty warriors] and King David’s sons ·accepted Solomon as king and promised to obey him [pledged their allegiance to King Solomon]. ²⁵ The Lord ·made Solomon great before [exalted Solomon in the sight of] all the Israelites and gave him greater royal ·splendor [majesty] than any king before him in Israel.

David’s Death

²⁶ David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. ²⁷ He had ·ruled [reigned] over Israel forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. ²⁸ David died when he was old. He had lived a good, long life ·and had received many [full of] riches and honors. His son Solomon ·became king after him [reigned in his place].

²⁹ ·Everything David did as king [The acts/events of King David], from ·beginning to end [first to last], is ·recorded [written] in the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Samuel the ·seer [prophet], the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Nathan the prophet, and the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Gad the ·seer [prophet]. ³⁰ Those writings tell what David did ·as king of Israel [during his reign]. They tell about his power and what happened to him and to Israel and to all the kingdoms ·around them [of the earth/land].

Solomon Asks for Wisdom^(B)

1 Solomon, David’s son, ·became a powerful king [solidified/secured/established his kingdom/royal authority; ^Lstrengthened himself over his kingdom], because the Lord his God was with him and ·made him very great [exalted/magnified/empowered him].

² Solomon spoke to all the people of Israel—the ·commanders [officers] of thousands of men and of hundreds of men, the judges, every leader in all Israel, and the ·leaders [^Lheads] of the ·families [clans]. ³ Then Solomon and all the ·people [assembly] with him went to the ·place of worship [^Lhigh place] at the town of Gibeon. God’s ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle], which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the ·desert [wilderness], was there. ⁴ David had brought the Ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem, where he had ·made [prepared] a place for it and had set up a tent for it [1 Sam. 6:1–15]. ⁵ But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, who was the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. So Solomon and the ·people [assembly] worshiped there. ⁶ Solomon went up to the bronze altar ·in the presence of [before] the Lord at the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle] and ·offered [sacrificed] a thousand burnt offerings on it.

⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁸ Solomon answered, “You have ·been very kind [shown/demonstrated loyalty/unfailing love] to my father David, and you have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, ·may your promise to my father David come true [or your promise to my father David has been fulfilled]. You have made me king of a ·people [nation] ·who are as many [as numerous] as the dust of the earth [Gen. 1:16]. ¹⁰ Now give me wisdom and knowledge so I can lead these people, ·because no one can rule them without your help [for who can rule/govern this great people/nation of yours?].”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “You have not asked for wealth or riches or ·honor [fame], or for the ·death of your enemies [^Llife of those who hate you], or for a long life. ·But since [Because] you have asked for wisdom and knowledge to ·lead [rule; govern] my people, over whom I have made you king, ¹² I will give you wisdom and knowledge. I will also give you more wealth, riches, and ·honor [fame] than any king who has lived before you or any who will live after you.”

¹³ Then Solomon left the ·place of worship [^Lhigh place], the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle], at Gibeon and went back to Jerusalem. There King Solomon ·ruled [reigned] over Israel.

Solomon’s Wealth^(C)

¹⁴ Solomon ·had [gathered; amassed; accumulated] fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses. He kept some in ·special cities for the chariots [chariot cities], and others he kept with him in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ In Jerusalem Solomon made silver and gold as ·plentiful [common] as stones and cedar trees as ·plentiful [common] as the ·fig [sycamore-fig] trees on the ·western hills [^LShephelah]. ¹⁶ He imported horses from Egypt and ·Kue [Cilicia; ^Cpresent-day southern Turkey]; his traders bought them in ·Kue [Cilicia] for the ·prevailing [usual; standard] price. ¹⁷ They imported chariots from Egypt for ·about fifteen pounds [^Lsix hundred shekels] of silver apiece, and horses cost ·nearly four pounds of silver [^Lone hundred fifty] apiece. Then they ·sold [exported] the horses and chariots to all the kings of the Hittites and the Arameans.

Solomon Prepares for the Temple^(D)

2 Solomon decided to build a ·temple [^Lhouse] ·as a place to worship [^Lfor the name of] the Lord and also a ·palace [^Lroyal house] for himself. ² He ·chose [assigned; conscripted] seventy thousand men ·to carry loads [as common laborers], eighty thousand men to ·cut [quarry] stone in the hill country, and thirty-six hundred men to ·direct the workers [supervise/oversee them].

³ Solomon sent this message to ·Hiram [or Huram; ^Cvariants of the same name; 1 Chr. 14:1 calls him Hiram; the Hebrew text here reads Huram] king of the city of Tyre: “·Help me as you helped [Do as you did for] my father David by sending him cedar logs so he could build himself a ·palace [^Lhouse] to live in. ⁴ I ·will [am about to] build a ·temple [^Lhouse] for ·worshiping [^Lthe name of] the Lord my God, and I will ·give [dedicate] this ·temple [^Lhouse] to him. There we will ·burn sweet-smelling spices [offer fragrant incense] ·in his presence [before him]. We will continually set out the ·holy bread [^Tshowbread] in God’s presence. And we will burn sacrifices every morning and evening, on Sabbath days and New Moons, and on the other feast days ·commanded [appointed; prescribed] by the Lord our God. This ·is a rule for Israel to obey forever [^Lpermanently in/upon Israel].

⁵ “The ·temple [^Lhouse] I ·build [am about to build] will be great, because our God is greater than all gods. ⁶ But ·no one can really [^Lwho is able to…?] build a house for our God. Not even the highest of heavens can ·hold [contain] him. ·How then can I [So who am I to] build a ·temple [^Lhouse] for him except as a place to burn ·sacrifices [or incense; ^Cwhat is being burned is not indicated] to him?

⁷ “Now send me a man skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, ·red [crimson], and ·blue thread [violet cloth]. He must also know how to make engravings. He will work with my skilled craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David ·chose [provided].

⁸ “Also send me cedar, ·pine [cypress; juniper; evergreens], and ·juniper logs [sandalwood/algum timber] from Lebanon. I know your servants are ·experienced [skilled; adept] at cutting down the trees in Lebanon, and my servants will help them. ⁹ Send me a ·lot [vast amount] of wood, because the ·temple [^Lhouse] I am going to build will be large and ·wonderful [magnificent]. ¹⁰ I will give your servants who cut the wood ·one hundred twenty-five thousand bushels [^Ltwenty thousand kors] of wheat, ·one hundred twenty-five thousand bushels [^Ltwenty thousand kors] of barley, ·one hundred fifteen thousand gallons [^Ltwenty thousand baths] of wine, and ·one hundred fifteen thousand gallons [^Ltwenty thousand baths] of oil.”

¹¹ Then ·Hiram [or Huram; v. 3] king of Tyre answered Solomon with this letter: “Solomon, because the Lord loves his people, he ·chose [made] you to be their king.” ¹² ·Hiram [or Huram; v. 3] also said: “·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel, who made ·heaven [the sky] and earth! He has given King David a wise son, ·one [endowed; gifted] with ·wisdom [discernment; intelligence; discretion] and ·understanding [insight], who will build a ·temple [^Lhouse] for the Lord and a ·palace [^Lhouse] for himself.

¹³ “I will send you a skilled and ·wise [talented; capable] man named Huram-Abi. ¹⁴ His mother was from the people of Dan, and his father was from Tyre. Huram-Abi is ·skilled [trained; knowledgeable] in working with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and with purple, ·blue [violet], and ·red thread [crimson cloth/yarn], and ·expensive [fine] linen. He is skilled in making engravings and can ·make [execute] any design ·you show [given to] him. He will help your ·craftsmen [artisans] and the craftsmen of your father David.

¹⁵ “Now my lord send ·my [^Lto his] servants the wheat, barley, oil, and wine you ·promised [spoke of]. ¹⁶ We will cut as much wood from Lebanon as you need and will bring it on rafts by sea to Joppa. Then you may ·carry [haul; transport] it to Jerusalem.”

¹⁷ Solomon ·counted [numbered; took a census of] all the foreigners living in Israel. (This was after the time his father David had counted the people [2 Sam. 24; 1 Chr. 21].) There were one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred foreigners. ¹⁸ Solomon ·chose [assigned; conscripted] seventy thousand of them ·to carry loads [as common laborers], eighty thousand of them to ·cut [quarry] stone in the mountains, and thirty-six hundred of them to ·direct [supervise; oversee] the workers and to keep the people working.

Solomon Builds the Temple^(E)

3 Then Solomon began to build the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah [Gen. 22:2]. This was where the Lord had appeared to David, Solomon’s father. Solomon built the ·Temple [^Lhouse] on the place David had prepared on the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; 1 Chr. 21:15, 18–28] the Jebusite. ² Solomon began building in the ·second month [or second day of the second month; ^Cmidspring] of the fourth year ·he ruled Israel [of his reign].

³ Solomon used ·these measurements [or this foundation] for building the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God. It was ·ninety feet [^Lsixty cubits] long and ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] wide, using the old ·measurement [standard]. ⁴ The ·porch [portico; vestibule; entry room] in front of the main ·room [hall] of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] was ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] long and ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits; or ^Lone hundred twenty cubits] high.

He ·covered [overlaid] the ·inside of the porch [main hall; nave] with ·pure [fine] gold. ⁵ He put panels of ·pine [cypress; juniper; evergreens] on the walls of the ·main room [main hall; nave] and ·covered [overlaid] them with ·pure [fine] gold. Then he ·put [decorated/ornamented it with] designs of palm trees and chains in the gold. ⁶ He ·decorated [adorned] the ·Temple [^Lhouse] with ·gems [precious stones] and gold from Parvaim. ⁷ He ·put [overlaid] gold on the ·Temple’s [^Lhouse’s] ceiling beams, ·doorposts [thresholds], walls, and doors, and he carved ·creatures with wings [cherubim] on the walls.

⁸ Then he made the ·Most Holy Place [^THoly of Holies]. It was ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] long and ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] wide, ·as wide as [corresponding to the width of] the ·Temple [^Lhouse]. He ·covered [overlaid] its walls with ·about forty-six thousand pounds [^Lsix hundred talents] of ·pure [fine] gold. ⁹ The gold nails weighed ·over a pound [^Lfifty shekels]. He also ·covered [overlaid] the upper rooms with gold.

¹⁰ He ·made [sculpted; modeled] two ·creatures with wings [cherubim] for the ·Most Holy Place [^THoly of Holies] and ·covered [overlaid] them with gold. ¹¹ The wings of the ·gold creatures [cherubim] were ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] across. One wing of one creature was ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] long and touched the ·Temple [^Lhouse] wall. The creature’s other wing was also ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] long, and it touched a wing of the second ·creature [cherub]. ¹² One wing of the second creature touched the other side of the room and was also ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] long. The second creature’s other wing touched the first creature’s wing, and it was also ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] long. ¹³ Together, the creatures’ wings were ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] across. The creatures stood on their feet, facing the ·main room [main hall; nave].

¹⁴ He made the ·curtain [veil] of ·blue [violet], purple, and ·red thread [crimson cloth/yarn], and ·expensive [fine] linen, and he ·put [worked; embroidered] designs of ·creatures with wings [cherubim] in it.

The Pillars and Furnishings for the Temple^(F)

¹⁵ He made two pillars to stand in front of the ·Temple [^Lhouse]. They were ·about fifty-two feet [^Lthirty-five cubits; ^Cpossibly the combined length of the two] tall, and the capital on top of each pillar was over ·seven feet [^Lfive cubits] tall. ¹⁶ He made ·a net of [interwoven] chains and put them on the tops of the pillars. He made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains. ¹⁷ Then he put the pillars up in front of the Temple. One pillar stood on the ·south [^Lright] side, the other on the ·north [^Lleft]. He named the ·south [^Lright] pillar Jachin [^C“he establishes”] and the ·north [^Lleft] pillar Boaz [^C“in him is strength”].

4 He made a bronze altar ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] long, ·thirty feet [^Ltwenty cubits] wide, and ·fifteen feet [^Lten cubits] tall. ² Then he made from ·bronze [cast metal] a large round ·bowl [basin], which was called the Sea [^Csymbol of chaos subdued; 1 Kin. 7:23]. It was ·forty-five feet [^Lthirty cubits] ·around [in circumference], ·fifteen feet [^Lten cubits] ·across [from rim to rim], and ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] ·deep [high]. ³ There were ·carvings [figures; images] of ·bulls [oxen] under the rim of the bowl—ten ·bulls [oxen] every ·eighteen inches [^Lcubit]. They were in two rows and were ·made [cast] in one piece with the bowl.

⁴ The bowl rested on the backs of twelve bronze ·bulls [oxen] ·that faced outward from the center of the bowl [^Lall their hindquarters were toward the inside]. Three ·bulls [oxen] faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east. ⁵ The sides of the bowl were ·four inches [four fingers; ^La handbreadth] thick, and it held ·about seventeen thousand five hundred gallons [^Lthree thousand baths]. The rim of the bowl was like the rim of a cup ·or like [and resembled] a lily blossom.

⁶ He made ten ·smaller bowls [basins] and put five on the ·south [^Lright] side and five on the ·north [^Lleft]. They were for ·washing [rinsing] the ·animals [or utensils; ^Lthings] for the burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17], but the ·large bowl [^LSea; v. 2] was for the priests to wash in.

⁷ He ·made [cast] ten lampstands of gold, ·following the plans [according to the specifications]. He put them in the Temple, five on the ·south [^Lright] side and five on the ·north [^Lleft].

⁸ He made ten tables and put them in the Temple, five on the ·south [^Lright] side and five on the ·north [^Lleft]. And he used gold to ·make [mold] a hundred other ·bowls [basins].

⁹ He also made the priests’ courtyard and the large courtyard. He made the doors that opened to the courtyard and ·covered [overlaid] them with bronze. ¹⁰ Then he put the large ·bowl [basin; ^Cthe Sea] on the right side toward the southeast corner.

¹¹ Huram also made ·bowls [pots; pails; washbasins], shovels, and ·small [or sprinkling] bowls. So he finished his work for King Solomon on the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God:

All the things that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord were made of ·polished [burnished] bronze. ¹⁷ The king had these things ·poured [cast] into clay molds that were made in the plain of the Jordan River between Succoth and Zarethan. ¹⁸ Solomon had so many things made that the total weight of all the bronze ·was never known [could not be/was not calculated].

¹⁹ Solomon also made all the ·things [furnishings] for God’s ·Temple [^Lhouse]: the golden altar; tables which held the bread ·that shows God’s people are in his presence [^Lof Presence; Ex. 25:23–30]; ²⁰ the lampstands and their lamps of ·pure [solid] gold, to burn in front of the ·Most Holy Place [inner sanctuary] as ·planned [prescribed; specified]; ²¹ the flowers, lamps, and tongs of pure gold; ²² the pure gold ·wick trimmers [lamp snuffers], small bowls, pans, and dishes ·used to carry coals [and incense burners/censers], the gold doors for the ·Temple [^Lhouse], and the inside doors of the ·Most Holy Place [^THoly of Holies] and of the ·main room [main hall; nave].

5 Finally all the work Solomon did for the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord was finished. He brought in everything his father David had ·set apart [dedicated] for the ·Temple [^Lhouse]—all the silver and gold and other ·articles [utensils]. And he ·put [stored] everything in the treasuries of God’s ·Temple [^Lhouse].

The Ark Is Brought into the Temple^(G)

² Solomon ·called for [summoned; assembled; convened] the elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, and the ·leaders [chiefs] of the ·families [clans] to come to him in Jerusalem. He wanted them to bring the Ark of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; ^LTestimony] with the Lord from ·the older part of the city [^Lthe city of David, that is, Zion]. ³ So all the Israelites came together with the king during the festival in the seventh month [^Cthe Festival of Shelters or Tabernacles or Booths held in early autumn].

⁴ When all the ·elders [men] of Israel arrived, the Levites ·lifted [picked; took] up the Ark. ⁵ They ·carried [brought up] the ·Ark of the Agreement [^Lark; Ex. 25:10], the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle], and the ·holy utensils [sacred furnishings] in it; the ·priests and the Levites [Levitical priests] brought them up. ⁶ King Solomon and all the ·Israelites [^Lcongregation/community of Israel] gathered before the ·Ark of the Agreement [^Lark] and sacrificed so many sheep and ·bulls [oxen] no one could count or record them.

⁷ Then the priests put the Ark of the ·Agreement [covenant; treaty; ^LTestimony] with the Lord in its place inside the inner sanctuary of the ·Temple [^Lhouse], the ·Most Holy Place [^THoly of Holies], under the wings of the ·golden creatures [^Lcherubim]. ⁸ The wings of ·these creatures [^Lcherubim] were spread out over the place for the Ark, ·covering [forming a canopy over] it and its carrying poles. ⁹ The carrying poles were so long that anyone standing in the ·Holy Place [inner sanctuary] in front of the ·Most Holy Place [^THoly of Holies] could see the ends of the poles. But no one could see them from outside the Holy Place. The poles are still there today. ¹⁰ The only things inside the Ark were two stone tablets [^Cinscribed with the Ten Commandments] that Moses had put in the Ark at ·Mount Sinai [^LHoreb]. That was where the Lord made his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

¹¹ Then all the priests ·left [came out of; withdrew from] the Holy Place. (All the priests ·from each group [regardless of their divisions/orders; or whether they were serving that day or not] had ·made themselves ready to serve the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves].) ¹² All the Levite ·musicians [singers]—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun [^Call associated with certain psalms; see titles of Ps. 50, 73–83 (Asaph), 88 (Heman), 39, 62, 77 (Jeduthun)], and all their sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; ^Lbrothers]—stood on the east side of the altar. They were dressed in ·white [fine] linen and played cymbals, harps, and lyres. ·With [Accompanying] them were one hundred twenty priests who blew trumpets. ¹³ Those who blew the trumpets and those who sang ·together sounded like one person [performed in unison] as they praised and thanked the Lord. They sang ·as others played their [accompanied by] trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments. They praised the Lord with this song:

Then the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord was filled with a cloud. ¹⁴ The priests could not continue their ·work [service] because of the cloud, because the Lord’s ·glory [splendor] filled the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God.

Solomon Speaks to the People

6 Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in the ·dark cloud [thick cloud; thick cloud of darkness]. ² Lord, I have built a ·wonderful [magnificent; glorious; lofty] ·Temple [^Lhouse] for you—a place for you to ·live [dwell] forever.”

³ While all the ·Israelites [^Lcommunity of Israel] were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them. ⁴ Then he said, “·Praise [Bless] the Lord, the God of Israel. He has ·done [^Lfulfilled with his hand] what he ·promised [spoke] to my father David [2 Sam. 7:1–16]. The Lord said, ⁵ ‘Since the ·time [^Lday] I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a ·Temple [^Lhouse] will be built for ·me [^Lmy name to be there]. I did not choose a man to ·lead [rule] my people Israel. ⁶ But now I have chosen Jerusalem ·as the place I am to be worshiped [^Lfor my name to be], and I have chosen David to ·lead [rule] my people Israel.’

⁷ “My father David wanted to build a ·Temple [^Lhouse] for ·the [^Lthe name of the] Lord, the God of Israel. ⁸ But the Lord said to my father David, ‘·It was good that you [You did well to have] wanted to build a ·Temple [^Lhouse] for me. ⁹ But you are not the one to build it. Your son, who ·comes from your own body [will be born to you], is the one who will build ·my Temple [^Lthe house for my name].’

¹⁰ “Now the Lord has ·kept his promise [^Lestablished the word he spoke]. I am the king now in place of David my father. Now I ·rule [^Lsit on the throne of] Israel as the Lord promised, and I have built the ·Temple [^Lhouse] for ·the [^Lthe name of the] Lord, the God of Israel. ¹¹ There I have put the Ark, in which is the ·Agreement [covenant; treaty] the Lord made with the ·Israelites [people of Israel].”

Solomon’s Prayer

¹² Then Solomon stood ·facing [^Lbefore] the Lord’s altar, ·and all the Israelites were standing behind him [^Lin the presence of the assembly/community of Israel]. He ·spread out [lifted] his hands. ¹³ He had made a bronze platform ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] long, ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] wide, and ·seven and one-half feet [^Lfive cubits] high, and he had placed it in the middle of the outer courtyard. Solomon stood on the platform. Then he kneeled in front of all the ·people [^Lassembly; community] of Israel gathered there, and he spread out his hands toward ·the sky [heaven]. ¹⁴ He said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no god [^Cno true God] like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your ·agreement of love with [covenant/treaty and show unfailing love/loyalty to] your servants who ·truly follow [wholeheartedly/devotedly walk before] you. ¹⁵ You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You spoke it with your own mouth and finished it with your hands today.

¹⁶ “Now, Lord, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You said, ‘If your sons ·are careful [guard their steps] ·to obey my teachings [^Land walk in my laws] as you have ·obeyed [^Lwalked], ·there will always be someone from your family [you will never fail to have someone] ·ruling [^Lsitting on the throne of] Israel.’ ¹⁷ Now, Lord, God of Israel, ·please continue to keep that promise you made [fulfill this word you have spoken] to your servant.

¹⁸ “But, ·God, can you [will God] really live here on the earth with ·people [mortals]? The ·sky and the highest place in heaven [heavens, even the highest heavens,] cannot contain you. ·Surely this house which I have built cannot contain you [How much less this temple/^Lhouse I have built]. ¹⁹ But ·please listen [listen favorably; attend] to my prayer and my request, because I am your servant. Lord my God, hear this ·prayer [cry] your servant prays to you. ²⁰ Day and night please watch over this ·Temple [^Lhouse] where you have said you would ·be worshiped [^Lput your name]. Hear the prayer I pray facing this place. ²¹ Hear ·my prayers and the prayers of [^Lthe pleas/entreaties/^Tsupplications of your servant and] your people Israel when we pray facing this place. Hear from your home in heaven, and when you hear, forgive us.

²² “If someone ·wrongs another person [sins against his neighbor], he will be brought to the altar in this ·Temple [^Lhouse]. If he swears an oath [^Cthat he is innocent], ²³ then hear in heaven and act. Judge ·the case [^Lbetween your servants; ^Cthe accuser and the accused], ·punish [condemn; repay] the guilty, but ·declare that [justify; acquit] the ·innocent person is not guilty [righteous because of their innocence/righteousness].

²⁴ “·When [If] your people, the Israelites, sin against you, their enemies will defeat them. But if they ·come back [return] to you and ·praise you [acknowledge/confess your name] and pray and ·appeal [^Tmake supplication] to you in this ·Temple [^Lhouse], ²⁵ then ·listen [hear] from heaven. Forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ·ancestors [fathers].

²⁶ “When they sin against you, you will ·stop the rain from falling on their land [shut up the heavens/sky and stop the rain]. Then they will pray, facing this place and ·praising you [acknowledge/confess your name]; they will stop sinning ·when [because] you ·make them suffer [punish/afflict them]. ²⁷ When this happens, hear their prayer in heaven, and forgive the sins of your servants, the Israelites. Teach them ·to do what is right [the right way to live; ^Lthe good way in which they should walk]. Then please send rain to ·this [^Lyour] land you have given ·particularly to them [^Lto your people as an inheritance/special possession].

²⁸ “·At times the land will get so dry that no food will grow [^LIf there is famine in the land…], or ·a great sickness will spread among the people [a plague; pestilence…]. ·Sometimes [^L…or if…] the crops will be destroyed by blight, mildew, locusts, or grasshoppers. ·Your [^L…or if…] people will be attacked in their cities by their enemies, or will become sick. ²⁹ ·When any of these things [—whatever plague/disaster or disease] happens, ·the [^L…and if the…] people will ·become truly sorry [pray about their troubles/affliction and pain/sorrows…]. ·If [^L…and] your people spread their hands in prayer toward this ·Temple [^Lhouse], ³⁰ then hear their prayers from your home in heaven. Forgive and ·treat [deal with] each person as he ·should be treated [deserves] because you know what is in a person’s heart. Only you know ·what is in people’s hearts [the human heart]. ³¹ Then the people will ·respect [fear; revere; honor] and ·obey you [^Lwalk in your ways] as long as they live in this land you gave our ·ancestors [fathers].

³² “People who are not Israelites, foreigners from other lands, will hear about your ·greatness [^Lgreat name] and ·power [^Lmighty hand and outstretched arm]. They will come from far away to pray ·at this Temple [^Ltoward this house]. ³³ Then hear from your home in heaven, and ·do [grant; answer] whatever they ask you. Then ·people everywhere [^Lall the peoples of the earth] will know ·you [^Lyour name] and ·respect [fear; revere; acknowledge] you, just as your people Israel do. Then everyone will know that I built this ·Temple [^Lhouse] as a place to ·worship you [^Lbear your name].

³⁴ “When your people go out to fight their enemies ·along some road on which [by whichever way] you send them, your people will pray to you, ·facing [toward] this city which you have chosen and the ·Temple [^Lhouse] I have built for ·you [^Lyour name]. ³⁵ Then hear in heaven their prayers and their ·plea [^Tsupplication], and ·do what is right [uphold their cause; vindicate them].

³⁶ “·Everyone sins, so your people will also sin against you [When/If your people sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—…]. You will become angry with them and will ·hand them over [deliver them] to their enemies. Their enemies will capture them and take them away to a country far or near. ³⁷ ·Your people will be sorry for their sins [If they stop and think/come to their senses…] when they are held as ·prisoners [captives] in another country. ·They will be sorry […and they repent…] and ·pray [plead; make supplication] to you in the land ·where they are held as prisoners [of their captivity], saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done ·wrong [evil] and acted wickedly.’ ³⁸ ·They will truly turn back to you […and they return to you with all their heart and soul/being] in the land where they are captives. ·They will […and they] pray, ·facing this [toward the] land you gave their ·ancestors [fathers], this city you have chosen, and the ·Temple [^Lhouse] I have built for ·you [^Lyour name…]. ³⁹ Then hear their prayers and their ·plea [^Tsupplication] from your home in heaven, and ·do what is right [uphold their cause; vindicate them]. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.

⁴⁰ “Now, my God, ·look at us. Listen [^L…may your eyes be open and your ears attentive] to the prayers we pray in this place.

The Temple Is Given to the Lord

7 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from ·the sky [heaven] and ·burned up [consumed] the burnt offering and the sacrifices. The Lord’s ·glory [splendor] filled the ·Temple [^Lhouse]. ² The priests could not enter the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord, because the Lord’s ·glory [splendor] filled it. ³ When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the Lord’s ·glory [splendor] on the ·Temple [^Lhouse], they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground. They worshiped and ·thanked [praised] the Lord, saying,

⁴ Then King Solomon and all the people ·offered [sacrificed] sacrifices to the Lord. ⁵ King Solomon ·offered [sacrificed] a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand ·cattle [oxen] and one hundred twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [^Lhouse] to God. ⁶ The priests stood ·ready to do their work [in their places/positions/posts]. The Levites also stood with the instruments of the Lord’s music that King David had made for praising the Lord. The priests and Levites were ·saying [singing], “His ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [Ps. 136].” The priests, who stood across from the Levites, blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

⁷ Solomon ·made holy [consecrated] the middle part of the courtyard, which is in front of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord. There he ·offered [sacrificed] whole burnt offerings and the fat of the ·fellowship [peace] offerings. He ·offered [sacrificed] them in the courtyard, because the bronze altar he had made could not hold the burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17], ·grain [^Lgift; tribute] offerings [Lev. 2:1], and fat [Lev. 3:16].

⁸ Solomon and all the Israelites ·celebrated [kept; observed] the festival [^Cof Shelters/Tabernacles/Booths] for seven days. There ·were many people [^Lwas a great assembly/congregation], and they came from as far away as Lebo Hamath [^Cin the north] and the brook of Egypt [^Cin the south]. ⁹ For seven days they celebrated ·giving [the dedication of] the altar. Then they ·celebrated [kept; observed] the festival for seven days. On the eighth day they had a ·meeting [solemn assembly; closing ceremony]. ¹⁰ On the twenty-third day of the seventh month Solomon sent the people home, full of joy. They were ·happy [content; glad; ^Lgood of heart] because the Lord had been so good to David, Solomon, and his people Israel.