Study Desk

Then David went in, sat before Adonai and said, "Who am I, Adonai , God, and what is my family, that has caused you to bring me this far?

Yet in your view, God, even this was but a small thing; so you have said that your servant's dynasty will continue on into the distant future. You have regarded me, Adonai , God, as a man of high rank.

Adonai , there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you — everything we have heard confirms that.

Who can be compared with your people Isra'el? What other nation on earth did God set out to redeem and turn into a people for himself? You made yourself a reputation by doing great and terrifying things, as you drove out the nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt.

For you made your people Isra'el your people forever; and you, Adonai , became their God.

May your name be confirmed and magnified forever; so that it will be said, ‘ Adonai -Tzva'ot is the God of Isra'el and the God for Isra'el, and the dynasty of David your servant will be set up in your presence.'

For you, my God, have disclosed to your servant that you will build him a house. This is why your servant has the courage to pray to you.

Now, Adonai , you are God; and you have made this wonderful promise to your servant;

Take courage, and let's be strong for the sake of our people and the cities of our God. May Adonai do what seems good to him."

God was displeased with this and therefore punished Isra'el.

David said to God, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. But now, please! Put aside your servant's sin, for I have done a very foolish thing."

God also sent an angel to destroy Yerushalayim, but when he was about to carry out the destruction, Adonai saw it and changed his mind about causing such distress; so he said to the destroying angel, "Enough! Now withdraw your hand." The angel of Adonai was standing at the threshing-floor of Ornan the Y'vusi.

David said to God, "Wasn't it I who ordered the census of the people? Yes, I am the one who has sinned and done something very wicked. But these sheep, what have they done? Please! Let your hand be against me and my father's family, but not against your people, striking them with this plague!"

But David could not go into its presence to consult God, because the sword of the angel of Adonai had struck him with terror.

Then David said, "This is the house of Adonai , God; and this is the altar Isra'el is to use for burnt offerings."

David ordered that the foreigners in the land of Isra'el should be assembled, and he appointed stone-workers to shape stones for building the house of God.

Then he summoned Shlomo his son and charged him to build a house for Adonai , the God of Isra'el.

"My son," said David to Shlomo, "my heart was set on building a house for the name of Adonai my God.

"Now, my son, may Adonai be with you and give you success as you build the house of Adonai your God, in keeping with what he said about you.

May Adonai give you common sense and understanding, and may he give you his orders concerning Isra'el, so that you will observe the Torah of Adonai your God.