Study Desk

"But the Lord , the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king of Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to lead, and from the people of Judah, he chose my father's family. From that family God was pleased to make me king of Israel.

David said, "Now, in front of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord , and in the hearing of God, I tell you these things: Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God. Then you will keep this good land and pass it on to your descendants forever.

"And you, my son Solomon, accept the God of your father. Serve him completely and willingly, because the Lord knows what is in everyone's mind. He understands everything you think. If you go to him for help, you will get an answer. But if you turn away from him, he will leave you forever.

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 you until all the work for the Temple of the Lord is finished.

The groups of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the Temple of God. Every skilled worker is ready to help you with all the work. The leaders and all the people will obey every command you give."

King David said to all the Israelites who were gathered, "God chose my son Solomon, who is young and hasn't yet learned what he needs to know, but the work is important. This palace is not for people; it is for the Lord God.

I have done my best to prepare for building the Temple of 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 stones, and white marble. I have given much of all these things.

I have already given this for the Temple, but now I am also giving my own treasures of gold and silver, because I really want the Temple of my God to be built.

They donated about three hundred eighty thousand pounds of gold, about seven hundred fifty thousand pounds of silver, about one million three hundred fifty thousand pounds of bronze, and about seven million five hundred thousand pounds of iron to the Temple of God.

David praised the Lord in front of all the people who were gathered. He said: "We praise you, Lord , God of our father Israel. We praise you forever and ever.

Now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.

Lord our God, we have gathered all this to build your Temple for worship to you. But everything has come from you; everything belongs to you.

I know, my God, that you test people's hearts. You are happy when people do what is right. I was happy to give all these things, and I gave with an honest heart. Your people gathered here are happy to give to you, and I rejoice to see their giving.

Lord , you are the God of our ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Make your people want to serve you always, and make them want to obey you.

Then David said to all the people who were gathered, "Praise the Lord your God." So they all praised the Lord , the God of their ancestors, and they bowed to the ground to give honor to the Lord and the king.

Solomon, David's son, became a powerful king, because the Lord his God was with him and made him very great.

David had brought the Ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem, where he had made a place for it and had set up a tent for it.

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

Now, Lord God, may your promise to my father David come true. You have made me king of a people who are as many as the dust of the earth.

God said to Solomon, "You have not asked for wealth or riches or honor, or for the death of your enemies, or for a long life. But since you have asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead my people, over whom I have made you king,