1 And David {David: Beloved Leader} summoned all the leaders {sarei: chiefs} of Israel, namely the heads of the tribes, the chiefs of the divisions serving the king, the commanders over thousands and over hundreds, the supervisors of all property and livestock for the king and for his sons, together with the palace officers and the mighty men and every valiant warrior, to Jerusalem.
2 Then King David rose and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I resolved in my heart to build a house of rest{menukah: peaceful dwelling} for the ark of the covenant{berit: solemn agreement} of the LORD{YHWH, Divine Presence} and for the footstool of our God{Eloheinu, Sovereign King}. I have already made the preparations for its construction.”
3 But God {Elohim, Sovereign Commander} said to me, “You shall not build a house for My Name, for you are a man of wars {milhamot: battle experience}, and you have shed blood.”
4 Still, the LORD God of Israel {YHWH Elohei Yisrael, Sovereign King} chose me out of my father’s whole household to be king over Israel forever {le’olam: perpetual dynasty}. For He selected Judah to lead, and within Judah He chose my father’s house; and among my father’s sons He took pleasure in me to set me as king over all Israel.
5 From among all my sons {banim: male descendants}—for the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Giver} has given me many—He selected Solomon my son to sit on the throne {malkhut: dominion} of the LORD {YHWH, Reigning King} over Israel.
6 And He {YHWH, Sovereign King} said to me, “Solomon, your son, is appointed to build My house {bayit: divine dwelling} and My courts, for I have chosen him as My son, and I will be his father.”
7 And I {YHWH, Sovereign Guarantor} will establish his kingdom {malkhuto: royal rule} forever, if he stays firm in doing My commandments and My ordinances as on this day.
8 And now, before all Israel and the assembly of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Witness}, and with our God {Eloheinu, National Sovereign} listening, keep and seek every command of the LORD your God, so that you may take possession of this good land and leave it as an inheritance for your sons after you forever.
9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing soul {nefesh: Life Essence}; for the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Examiner} searches all hearts and understands every formation of thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
10 See now, for the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Chooser} has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary {miqdash: holy dwelling}; be strong and do it.
11 David gave to Solomon his son the plan {tavnit: detailed design} of the porch, and its rooms, and its treasuries, and its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and the room of the atonement cover {kapporet: place of mercy}.
12 And the plan of all that was by the Spirit with him, for the courts of the house of the LORD {YHWH, Divine Architect}, for all the surrounding chambers, for the storehouses of the house of God {Elohim, Sacred Patron}, and for the storehouses of the holy things.
13 And for the divisions {maḥlekot: administrative courses} of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Sovereign}, and for all the vessels of the service of the house of the LORD.
14 For the gold, by weight {mishqal: calibrated standard}, for all the vessels {klei: cultic containers} of service and ministry; and for the silver, by weight, for all the vessels of service and ministry.
15 The weight of gold for the lampstands {menorah: multi-branched light holder in the temple} and their lamps {ner: small oil and wick vessels}, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps, and the weight of silver for the lampstands and their lamps, according to the service of each lampstand.
16 And the weight {mishqal: specified measure} of the gold for the tables of the arrangement {maarechet: showbread layout}, for each table, and the silver for the silver tables.
17 And the forks, the basins, and the cups {k’savot: cups used in worship} were of pure gold; and for the gold bowls by weight {mishqal: exact weight specification} for each bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for each bowl.
18 And for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern {tavnit: divine design} of the chariot, the cherubim of gold spread out and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Guardian}.
19 All this was in writing from the hand of the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Revealer}, and He gave me understanding of all the works of the pattern {tabnit: design blueprint}.
20 And David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and carry it through; do not fear and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God {YHWH Elohim, Covenant Helper and Sustainer}—my God {Elohai, Personal Companion}—will be with you. He will not fail you {yarpecha: relinquish} and He will not forsake you {yaazveka: leave you behind} until every work for the service of the house of the LORD is completed.”
21 And behold, the divisions of the priests and the Levites are assigned to all service of the house of God {Elohim, Worship Center}, and with you is every willing person in wisdom {chokhmah: skillful understanding} for all work; and the officers and all the people are under your authority for every word you give.