CHAPTER 28
Now David
summoned
all
the leaders
of Israel
to
Jerusalem:
the leaders
of the tribes,
the leaders
of the divisions
in the king’s
service,
the commanders
of thousands
and
of hundreds,
and the officials
in charge of all
the property
and cattle
of the king
and his sons,
along with
the court officials,
the fighting men,
and all
the mighty warriors.
Then King
David
rose
to
his feet
and said,
“Listen to me,
my brothers
and my people.
It was in
my heart
to build
a house
as a resting place
for the ark
of the covenant
of the LORD
and as a footstool
for our God.
I had made preparations
to build it,
but God
said
to me,
‘You are not
to build
a house
for My Name,
because
you
are a man
of war
who has spilled
blood.’
Yet the LORD,
the God
of Israel,
chose
me
out of all
my father’s
house
to be
king
over
Israel
forever.
For
He chose
Judah
as leader,
and from the house
of Judah
He chose my father’s
household,
and from my father’s
sons
He was pleased
to make me king
over
all
Israel.
And of all
my sons—
for
the LORD
has given
me many
sons—
He has chosen
Solomon
my son
to sit
on
the throne
of the kingdom
of the LORD
over
Israel.
And He said
to me,
‘Solomon
your son
is the one
who will build
My house
and My courts,
for
I have chosen
him as
My
son,
and I
will be
his
Father.
I will establish
his kingdom
forever,
if
he resolutely
carries out
My commandments
and ordinances,
as is being done
this day.’
So now
in the sight
of all
Israel,
the assembly
of the LORD,
and in the hearing
of our God,
observe
and seek out
all
the commandments
of the LORD
your God,
so that
you may possess
this good
land
and leave it as an inheritance
to your descendants
forever.
As for you,
Solomon
my son,
know
the God
of your father
and serve Him
wholeheartedly
and with a willing
mind,
for
the LORD
searches
every
heart
and understands
the intention
of every
thought.
If
you seek Him,
He will be found
by you;
but if
you forsake Him,
He will reject you
forever.
Consider
now
that
the LORD
has chosen
you
to build
a house
for the sanctuary.
Be strong
and do it.”
Then David
gave
his son
Solomon
the plans
for the portico of the temple,
its buildings,
storehouses,
upper rooms,
inner
rooms,
and the room
for the mercy seat.
The plans
contained everything
he had
in
mind
for the courts
of the house
of the LORD,
for all
the surrounding
rooms,
for the treasuries
of the house
of God
and
of the dedicated things,
for the divisions
of the priests
and the Levites,
for all
the work
of service
in the house
of the LORD,
and for all
the articles
of service
in the house
of the LORD:
the weight
of all
the gold
articles
for every kind of service;
the weight
of all
the silver
articles
for every kind
of service;
the weight
of the gold
lampstands
and their
lamps,
including the weight
of each lampstand
and its lamps;
the weight
of each silver
lampstand
and its lamps,
according to the use
of each lampstand;
the weight of the pure
gold
for the forks,
sprinkling basins,
and pitchers;
the weight
of each gold
dish;
the weight
of each silver
bowl;
the weight
of the refined
gold
for the altar
of incense;
and the plans
for the chariot
of the gold
cherubim
that spread their wings
and overshadowed
the ark
of the covenant
of the LORD.
“All this,” said David,
“all
the details
of this plan,
the LORD
made clear to me
in writing
by His hand
upon me.”
David also
said
to Solomon
his son,
“Be strong
and courageous,
and do it.
Do not
be afraid
or discouraged,
for
the LORD
God,
my God,
is with you.
He will not
fail you
or forsake you
until
all
the work
for the service
of the house
of the LORD
is finished.
The divisions
of the priests
and the Levites
are ready
for all
the service
of the house
of God,
and
every
willing man
of every
skill
will be at your disposal for the work.
The officials
and all
the people
are fully at your
command.”