1 Chronicles 28

And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

David gathered all the leaders of Israel - tribal chiefs, military commanders, royal aides, stewards of the king's wealth, his sons' officers, the bravest warriors, and all the courageous men - in Jerusalem.

Then 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:

King David rose, addressing his people with a heartfelt plea, "Listen, my brothers, my people. I had a dream to build a house of rest for the ark of the Lord's covenant, a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it."

But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

God told me, "You can't build a home in my honor, for your hands have known war and spilled blood."

Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:

The Lord God of Israel, in His infinite wisdom, chose me from my entire family to be the eternal king of Israel. He selected Judah to lead, and from Judah's lineage, my family was chosen. Among all my father's sons, He favored me to rule over all of Israel.

And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

Among all my children, blessed by God with many, He has handpicked my son Solomon to rule His kingdom over Israel.

And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

He told me, "Your son Solomon will construct my home and courts. I've handpicked him as my own son, and I will be his guiding father."

Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

I'll eternally secure his reign, if he faithfully follows my commands and judgments, just as he does today.

Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

In front of everyone, as God watches over us, strive to follow His teachings. Do this so you can enjoy this beautiful land and pass it on to your children as a lasting legacy.

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Solomon, my son, understand and serve the God of your father with all your heart and a willing spirit. Remember, God knows every heart and understands every thought. If you seek Him, you'll find Him. But if you abandon Him, He will reject you forever.

Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

Be aware, you've been handpicked by God to create a sacred home. Be brave and make it happen.

Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

David lovingly handed over to his son Solomon, the detailed plans for the porch, the houses, the treasuries, the upper rooms, the private chambers, and the sacred mercy seat.

And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

With divine inspiration, he understood the design of the Lord's house, its surrounding rooms, and its sacred treasuries.

Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

For the duties of the priests and Levites, for all tasks in the Lord's house, and for all items used in His service.

He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

He generously donated gold, measured by weight, for all golden items needed for various services. Similarly, he gave silver, also weighed, for all silver tools required for every type of service.

Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

Even the golden candlesticks and their lamps, each measured by weight, and the silver ones too, all weighed and used according to their purpose.

And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:

He generously provided gold for each of the tables meant for the sacred bread, and similarly, he gave silver for the silver tables.

Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:

He also provided pure gold for the meat hooks, bowls, and cups. For each golden basin, he measured out its weight in gold, and similarly, for each silver basin, he measured out its weight in silver.

And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

For the sacred altar, pure gold was measured; gold was used to design the angelic chariot. The angels, with their wings spread wide, protected the Lord's covenant chest.

All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

David expressed, "God's hand was on me, and He made me understand all of this in writing, every aspect of this design."

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

David encouraged his son Solomon, "Be brave, be positive, and take action. Don't be scared or discouraged. God, my God, will be with you. He won't let you down or abandon you until you've completed your mission for Him."

And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

Look, the priests and Levites are with you, ready to serve God's house. Every skilled and willing person is there for any task. Even the leaders and all the people are completely under your command.