Preparing to Build the Temple
1 Chronicles 22, verse 1. Then David said, “This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of whole burnt offering for Israel.” 1 Chronicles 22, verse 2. So David gave orders to gather all converts to Judaism, those in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 3. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance beyond measure, 1 Chronicles 22, verse 4. and cedar trees in abundance; for the Sidonians and those from Tyre brought ample cedar wood to David. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 5. Now David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, known and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 6. Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 7. And David said to Solomon, “My son, as for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 8. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars. You shall not build a house for My name, for in My sight you have shed much blood on the earth. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 9. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest, and I will give to him rest from all his enemies that surround him. His name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 10. He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 1 Chronicles 22, verse 11. “Now, my son, the Lord shall be with you and prosper you; you will build a house to the Lord your God, as He spoke concerning you. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 12. Only may the Lord give you wisdom and prudence, and strengthen you concerning Israel, that you may guard and do the law of the Lord your God. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 13. Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the ordinances and judgments that the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear nor be dismayed. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 14. Indeed I, according to my poverty, have prepared for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for there is so much. I also prepared timber and stone, to which you also may add. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 15. Moreover, there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 16. Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you.” 1 Chronicles 22, verse 17. David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 1 Chronicles 22, verse 18. “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. 1 Chronicles 22, verse 19. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, and into the house to be built in the name of the Lord bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God.”