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Then David said, "This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel."
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So David commanded to gather the aliens who were in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God.
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And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance beyond measure,
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and cedar trees in abundance; for the Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
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Now David said, "Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it." So David made abundant preparations before his death.
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Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel.
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And David said to Solomon: "My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God;
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but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.
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Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
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He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'
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Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you.
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Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
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Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.