“My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God,
Parallel translations
- WEB David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God.
- KJV And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:
- NKJV 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;
- NASB David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house for the name of the Lord my God.
- NLT “My son, I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God,” David told him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David told Solomon it had been his heart's desire to build a house for the name of the LORD his God. He shared his deep, sincere longing to honor God.
Overview
David's words reveal a heart genuinely devoted to glorifying God through the temple. Though his desire was good, God had other plans for who would build it. The verse teaches that even sincere, godly aspirations are subject to the LORD's wisdom and timing, and that honoring God's name is the proper aim of all our endeavors.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Ps 132:5until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
- Deut 12:5Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.
- 1 Kgs 8:16–20‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
- 2 Chr 6:7–9Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
- Deut 12:11then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
- 1 Chr 17:1–15After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”
- 2 Chr 2:4Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever.
- Ezra 6:12May God, who has caused His Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to alter this decree or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out with diligence.
- Deut 12:21If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His Name is too far from you, then you may slaughter any of the herd or flock He has given you, as I have commanded you, and you may eat it within your gates whenever you want.
- 1 Chr 29:3Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:
- 1 Kgs 8:29May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.
- 1 Chr 28:2–21Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,
- 1 Kgs 9:3And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple you have built by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.
- 2 Sam 7:2–3he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
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Original language
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