Study Desk

God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but when the angel started to destroy it, the Lord saw it and felt very sorry about the terrible things that had happened. So he said to the angel who was destroying, "That is enough! Put down your arm!" The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

David said to God, "I am the one who sinned and did wrong. I gave the order for the people to be counted. These people only followed me like sheep. They did nothing wrong. Lord my God, please punish me and my family, but stop the terrible disease that is killing your people."

But King David answered Araunah, "No, I will pay the full price for the land. I won't take anything that is yours and give it to the Lord . I won't offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

But David could not go to the Holy Tent to speak with God, because he was afraid of the angel of the Lord and his sword.

David said, "We should build a great Temple for the Lord , which will be famous everywhere for its greatness and beauty. But my son Solomon is young. He hasn't yet learned what he needs to know, so I will prepare for the building of it." So David got many of the materials ready before he died.

But the Lord spoke his word to me, ‘David, you have killed many people. You have fought many wars. You cannot build a temple for worship to me, because you have killed many people.

But, you will have a son, a man of peace and rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies around him. His name will be Solomon, and I will give Israel peace and quiet while he is king.

Jahath was the first son, and Ziza was the second son. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many children, so they were counted as if they were one family.

Eliezer's first son was Rehabiah. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many sons.

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.

Mahli's son was Eleazar, but Eleazar did not have any sons.

Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the people, but he did not finish. God became angry with Israel for counting the people, so the number of the people was not put in the history book about King David's rule.

But God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple for worshiping me, because you are a soldier and have killed many people.'

"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.

"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.

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 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.

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.

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,

But no one can really build a house for our God. Not even the highest of heavens can hold him. How then can I build a temple for him except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?