1 Chronicles 28
1 David gathered in Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the tribal leaders, the leaders of the divisions serving the king, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, the stewards of all the king’s property and flocks and those of his sons, along with the court officials, the warriors, and all the mighty men.
2 King David stood up and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the LORD’s covenant, the footstool of our God, and I made preparations to build it.
3 But God said to me, ‘You will not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’
4 The LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my father’s whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah to lead; from the house of Judah, he chose my father’s house; and from among my father’s sons, he was pleased with me and made me king over all Israel.
5 Of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—he chose my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6 He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who will build my house and its courtyards, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be a father to him.
7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he remains steadfast in keeping my commands and ordinances, as he does today.’
8 Now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: keep and seek all the commands of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your children after you forever.
9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing spirit, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every inclination of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him; but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.
10 See now: the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and act.”
11 David gave his son Solomon the plan for the portico, the temple buildings, the storerooms, the upper rooms, the inner chambers, and the room for the atonement cover.
12 He also gave him the plan for everything he had in mind: the courtyards of the house of the LORD, all the surrounding rooms, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for the dedicated offerings;
13 the divisions of the priests and the Levites, all the work of serving in the house of the LORD, and all the articles used in the service of the house of the LORD;
14 the gold by weight for the gold articles for each kind of service, and the silver by weight for the silver articles for each kind of service;
15 the weight of the gold lampstands and their gold lamps, each lampstand with its lamps; and the weight of the silver lampstands, each lampstand with its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand;
16 the weight of the gold for the tables of the bread set out before God, each table, and the silver for the silver tables;
17 the forks, bowls, and pitchers of pure gold; the weight of the gold basins, each basin, and the weight of the silver basins, each basin;
18 the refined gold for the incense altar, by weight; and the plan for the chariot—that is, the gold cherubim spreading their wings and covering the ark of the LORD’s covenant.
19 “All this is in a writing from the hand of the LORD, who gave me understanding of all the work in the plan.”
20 David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you until all the work of serving in the house of the LORD is finished.
21 The divisions of the priests and the Levites are ready for all the service of the house of God, and for every task you have with you all who are willing and skilled for any kind of work. The leaders and all the people will obey your every command.”
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