1 Chronicles 28

1 Now David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] summoned all the leaders [rulers, princes] of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders [princes, captains] of the tribes, the leaders [commanders, captains] of the divisions [companies, courses] in the king’s [royal, sovereign] service, the commanders [captains, rulers] of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials [stewards, overseers] in charge of all the property [substance, possessions] and cattle [livestock, herds] of the king and his sons, along with the court officials [officers, eunuchs] and mighty men [strong, valiant warriors]—every mighty man [strong, brave] of valor [strength, courage]. word study 2 Then King David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers [male siblings, close relatives, or friends] and my people [a nation, community]. It was in my heart [the innermost part of a person, including mind, will, and emotions] to build [construct, establish, or repair] a house [a dwelling place, temple, or the human body] as a resting place [a state of quietness, a peaceful home] for the ark [a box, chest, or container] of the covenant [a promise, agreement, or treaty] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] and as a footstool [a low stool to rest feet on] for our God [Elohim, the one supreme God]. I had made preparations [set things up, established plans] to build [construct, establish, or repair] it, word study 3 but God [Elohim, the supreme God] said to me, ‘You are not [never, under no circumstances] to build [construct, establish] a house [temple, dwelling place] for My Name [My reputation, character], because you are a man [individual, person] of war [battle, conflict] who has spilled [poured out, shed] blood [the life force, vital fluid].’ word study 4 Yet the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house [family, descendants] to be king [ruler, leader] over Israel [the descendants of Jacob] forever [for all eternity, always]. For He chose Judah [the tribe descended from Judah] as leader [ruler, commander], and from the house [family, household] of Judah He chose my father’s household [family, lineage], and from my father’s sons He was pleased [accepted, delighted] to make me king [ruler, monarch] over all [every part of] Israel. word study 5 And of all [every one of, the entire group of] my sons—for the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] has given me many [a large number of, numerous] sons—He has chosen [selected, appointed] Solomon [peaceful ruler] my son to sit [dwell, remain] on the throne [seat of authority, royal power] of the kingdom [royal dominion, reign] of the LORD [Yehovah, the sovereign Ruler] over Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people]. word study 6 And He said to me, ‘Solomon [your son and successor] your son is the one who will build [construct, establish] My house [dwelling place, temple] and My courts [outer spaces, areas of worship], for I have chosen [selected, appointed] him as My son [adopted child, heir], and I will be his Father [provider, protector, Abba]. word study 7 I will establish [set up, appoint] his kingdom [royal power, dominion] forever [always, eternally], if he resolutely [is strong, courageous] carries out [obeys, keeps] My commandments [laws, divine instructions] and ordinances [judgments, decrees], as [like, in the same way] is being done [accomplished, fulfilled] this day [at this time, now].’ word study 8 So now [at this time, in the present moment] in the sight [before the eyes] of all Israel [the descendants of Jacob], the assembly [congregation, gathering] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], and in the hearing [audience, presence] of our God [Elohim, the supreme God], keep [obey, guard] and seek out [search for, inquire about] all the commandments [laws, instructions] of the LORD [Yehovah] your God [Elohim, the one supreme God], so that you may possess [inherit, take control of] this good [pleasant, beneficial] land [earth, territory] and leave it as an inheritance [legacy, heritage] to your descendants [sons, children] forever [always, eternally]. word study 9 As for you, Solomon [my son and successor] my son, know [to ascertain by seeing, to learn and perceive] the God [Elohim, the one supreme God] of your father and serve [to work, to worship] Him wholeheartedly [with a complete and willing heart] and with a willing [delighting, taking pleasure] mind, for the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] searches [examines, investigates] every heart [the innermost part of a person] and understands [to separate mentally, to discern] the intent [thoughts, imaginations] of every thought. If you seek [to ask, to worship] Him, He will be found [to find, to attain] by you; but if you forsake [to loosen, to abandon] Him, He will reject [to stink, to be disgusted] you forever [for perpetuity, eternity]. word study 10 Consider [take heed, pay attention] now [at this time, in this moment] that the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has chosen [selected, elected] you to build [construct, establish] a house [dwelling place, temple] for the sanctuary [holy place, sacred space]. Be strong [courageous, seize the opportunity] and do [make, accomplish] it.” word study 11 Then David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] gave his son Solomon [a king of Israel and successor of his father David] the plans [pattern, blueprint] for the portico [a covered area at the entrance of a building, vestibule] of the temple, its buildings [houses, dwelling places], storehouses [treasuries, places where valuable things are kept], upper rooms [lofty places, stairway or roof chamber], inner rooms [private chambers, innermost part of a building], and the room [place, dwelling] for the mercy seat [a golden lid on the Ark of the Covenant]. word study 12 The plans [pattern, blueprint, or model] contained everything David had in mind [by the Spirit, with divine inspiration] for the courts [outer squares, surrounding areas] of the house [temple, dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], for all [everything, the entirety] the surrounding rooms [chambers, storage areas], for the treasuries [storehouses, depositories] of the house of God [the temple, the place of worship] and of the dedicated things [holy things, consecrated items], word study 13 for the divisions [courses, groups] of the priests [spiritual leaders, mediators] and Levites [descendants of Levi, temple servants], for all [every aspect, everything] the work [labor, service, employment] of service [worship, ministry, attendance] in the house [temple, dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], and for all [every kind, everything] the articles [utensils, vessels, tools] of service [worship, ministry] in the house [temple, sacred place] of the LORD [the sovereign God]: word study 14 the weight [by measure, according to standard] of all the gold [precious, valuable metal] articles [utensils, vessels] for every kind [manner, type] of service [work, ministry]; the weight [by measure, according to standard] of all the silver [valuable, shining metal] articles [utensils, vessels] for every kind [manner, type] of service [work, ministry]; word study 15 the weight [according to their service, by full measure] of the gold [valuable metal] lampstands [candlesticks, chandeliers] and their lamps [devices for holding flames, providing light], including the weight of each lampstand [a chandelier] and its lamps; the weight of each silver [precious metal] lampstand [candlestick, lamp stand] and its lamps, according to the use [service, work, serving God or others] of each lampstand [a chandelier]; word study 16 the weight [amount, full heaviness] of gold [a valuable metal] for each table [a place of communion] of showbread [the bread of presence, sacred bread], and of silver [a precious metal] for the silver [shining, reflective] tables [tables of offering]; word study 17 the weight [amount, quantity] of the pure [refined, untainted] gold [a valuable metal] for the forks [meat-hooks, used in sacrifices], sprinkling bowls [basins, used for holding liquids], and pitchers [jugs, cups]; the weight [measure, heaviness] of each gold dish [bowl, vessel]; the weight [amount, quantity] of each silver [valuable metal, often used for payment] bowl [basin, container]; word study 18 the weight [by measure, according to standard] of the refined [purified, cleansed] gold [a valuable metal] for the altar [a place of sacrifice, worship] of incense [a sweet smoke, fragrance]; and the plans [pattern, design, blueprint] for the chariot [vehicle, means of transport] of the gold [valuable, radiant] cherubim [angelic beings, guardians] that spread [stretch out, extend] their wings and overshadowed [covered, protected] the ark [a chest, container] of the covenant [agreement, promise] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 19 “All [everything, the entirety] this,” said David, “all [every detail, the whole plan] the details of this plan [pattern, blueprint], the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel] has made clear [revealed, given understanding] to me in writing [in a written document] by His hand [in His power, through His direction] upon me [on my heart, to my understanding].” word study 20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong [of good courage] and courageous, and do it [take action, fulfill your duty]. Do not be afraid [dismayed, troubled] or discouraged [fearful, disheartened], for the LORD God [Yehovah, the supreme God], my God [Elohim, the one I worship], is with you [by your side, supporting you]. He will neither fail you [slacken, abandon] nor forsake you [leave, relinquish] before all the work [labor, service] for the service [ministry, worship] of the house [temple, dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Almighty] is finished [completed, ended]. word study 21 The divisions [sections, groups] of the priests [spiritual leaders, mediators] and Levites [descendants of Levi, temple servants] are ready for all [every aspect, the entirety] the service [work, ministry] of the house [temple, dwelling place] of God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], and every willing [generous, noble] man of every skill [craftsmanship, expertise] will be at your disposal [available, ready to help] for the work [task, project]. The officials [rulers, leaders] and all the people [nation, community] are fully [completely, wholly] at your command [authority, direction].” word study