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:
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.
- BSB “My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for 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 out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
- Deut 12:5But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
- 1 Kgs 8:16–20Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
- 2 Chr 6:7–9Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
- Deut 12:11Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:
- 1 Chr 17:1–15Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.
- 2 Chr 2:4Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
- Ezra 6:12And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
- Deut 12:21If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
- 1 Chr 29:3Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- 1 Kgs 8:29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
- 1 Chr 28:2–21Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
- 1 Kgs 9:3And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
- 2 Sam 7:2–3That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
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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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