Study Desk

Jahath was the first, and Zizah the second. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were numbered together as one father's house.

But the names of the sons of Moses the man of God were among the family of Levi.

The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the leader. Eliezer had no other sons. But Rehabiah had many sons.

These are the sons of Hosah, one of Merari's sons: Shimri was the first. (He was not the first-born, but his father made him first.)

But David did not number those younger than twenty years old because the Lord had promised to make Israel many, as the stars of heaven.

Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to number them, but did not finish. Anger came upon Israel because of this. So the number was not put into the book of the chronicles of King David.

But God said to me, ‘You must not build a house for My name, because you are a man of war and blood.'

But the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from all the house of my father to be the king of Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be a leader. And in the house of Judah, my father's house, and among my father's sons, He was pleased to make me king of all Israel.

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father. Serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord looks into all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you look to Him, He will let you find Him. But if you turn away from Him, He will turn away from you forever.

Then King David said to all the people, "My son Solomon is the one God has chosen. He is still young and has not had much time to know what to do. It is a very big work because this beautiful house is not for man, but for the Lord God.

"But who am I and who are my people, that we should be able to give so much? For all things come from You. We have given You only what already belongs to You.

(But David had brought up the special box of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had made ready for it. For he had set up a tent for it in Jerusalem.)

God said to Solomon, "You have not asked for riches, much money, or honor, or the life of those who hate you. And you have not asked for a long life for yourself. But you have asked for wisdom and much understanding, that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king. Because this was in your heart,

But who is able to build a house for Him? For the heavens and the highest heavens are not big enough to hold Him. So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn special perfume before Him?

He made ten pots in which to wash. He put five on the right side and five on the left side. They were to wash what was used for the burnt gifts. But the pool was for the religious leaders to wash in.

The pieces of wood for the special box of God were so long that their ends could be seen in front of the holy place. But they could not be seen outside. They are there to this day.

But I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there. And I have chosen David to rule My people Israel.'

But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

But you will not build the house. Your son who will be born to you will build the house for My name.'

So now, O Lord, God of Israel, keep Your promise which You made to Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You will never be without a man to sit on the throne of Israel. But your sons must be careful to walk in My Law, as you have done.'