Study Desk

The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel's family. There were 24,000 men in his division.

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,

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.'

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.

"All this," said David, "all the details of this plan, the LORD has 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.

So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.

He died at a ripe old age, full of days, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon became king in his place.

together with all the details of his reign, his might, and the circumstances that came upon him and Israel and all the kingdoms of the lands.

Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.

Solomon replied to God: "You have shown much loving devotion to my father David, and You have made me king in his place.

Then King Hiram of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: "Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king."

He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced in every kind of engraving and can execute any design that is given him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, your father David.

Now let my lord send to his servants the wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine he promised.

Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all.

Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.