Solomon

1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

King Solomon loved many women from other lands. One was the daughter of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Others came from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and the Hittite people.

2Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

The LORD had told Israel not to marry people from those lands. He said, "They will turn your heart to their gods." But Solomon held on to these women and loved them.

3And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

Solomon had seven hundred wives from royal families. He also had three hundred women called concubines. They were wives with a lower place. His wives turned his heart away.

4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart to other gods. He was not fully faithful to the LORD his God. His father David had been fully faithful.

5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the people of Sidon. He also followed Milcom, the god of the Ammonites. The LORD hated that god.

6And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

So Solomon did what was evil in the LORD's eyes. He did not follow the LORD all the way, as his father David did.

7Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

Solomon built a worship place on the hill east of Jerusalem. It was for Chemosh, the god of Moab, whom the LORD hated. He built one for Molech, the god of Ammon, too.

8And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

He did the same for all his wives from other lands. They burned sweet-smelling incense and gave gifts to their own gods.

9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

The LORD was angry with Solomon. Solomon's heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel. The LORD had shown himself to Solomon two times.

10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

The LORD had told him clearly not to follow other gods. But Solomon did not obey what the LORD said.

11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

So the LORD said to Solomon, "You have done this. You have not kept my agreement or my rules. So I will tear the kingdom away from you. I will give it to one of your servants."

12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

"But I will not do it while you are alive. I will wait, because I loved your father David. I will tear it away from your son instead."

13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

"I will not take the whole kingdom away. I will give your son one tribe, one family group of Israel. I do this for David my servant, and for Jerusalem, the city I chose."

14And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.

Then the LORD brought an enemy against Solomon. He was Hadad from Edom. He came from the royal family of Edom.

15For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

Long before this, David had fought in Edom. Joab, the leader of David's army, went to bury the dead. He had killed every male in Edom.

16(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)

Joab and all Israel stayed there six months. He stayed until every male in Edom was killed.

17That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.

But Hadad ran away to Egypt. Some of his father's servants from Edom went with him. Hadad was only a little boy then.

18And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.

They set out from Midian and came to Paran. They took some men from Paran with them. Then they went to Egypt, to Pharaoh the king. He gave Hadad a house, food, and land.

19And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

Pharaoh liked Hadad very much. He let Hadad marry the sister of Queen Tahpenes, Pharaoh's own wife.

20And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh.

Tahpenes' sister had a son named Genubath. Tahpenes raised him in Pharaoh's palace. Genubath lived there with Pharaoh's own sons.

21And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.

In Egypt, Hadad heard that David had died. He heard that Joab, the army leader, had died too. So Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me go home to my own country."

22Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.

Pharaoh asked, "What have you needed here with me? Why do you want to go home?" Hadad said, "Nothing. But please let me go anyway."

23And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

God brought another enemy against Solomon too. He was Rezon son of Eliada. He had run away from his master, Hadadezer the king of Zobah.

24And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.

Rezon gathered men and led a fighting band. This happened when David beat the men of Zobah. Rezon's men went to Damascus, lived there, and ruled it.

25And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

Rezon fought Israel the whole time Solomon was king. Hadad caused trouble as well. Rezon hated Israel and ruled over Syria.

26And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.

Jeroboam son of Nebat was from Zeredah, in the land of Ephraim. His mother was a widow named Zeruah. He worked for Solomon, but he turned against the king.

27And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.

Here is why he turned against the king. Solomon had built the Millo. He had also fixed the broken places in the wall of David's city.

28And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

Jeroboam was a strong and brave man. Solomon saw that the young man worked hard. So he put Jeroboam in charge of all the workers from Joseph's family group.

29And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:

One day Jeroboam was walking out of Jerusalem. Ahijah from Shiloh met him on the road. Ahijah was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. Ahijah had put on a new coat. The two men were alone in an open field.

30And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:

Ahijah took hold of the new coat he was wearing. He tore it into twelve pieces.

31And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

He said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces for yourself. The LORD, the God of Israel, says this: 'I will tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand. I will give ten tribes to you.'"

32(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

"'But one tribe will stay with Solomon's family. I do this for David my servant. I also do it for Jerusalem, the city I chose out of all Israel.'"

33Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

"'They have left me. They have worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of Sidon, and Chemosh, the god of Moab, and Milcom, the god of Ammon. They have not lived my way. They have not done what is right to me. They have not kept my rules, the way David did.'"

34Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

"'Even so, I will not take the whole kingdom from Solomon. I will let him rule all his life. I do this for David my servant, whom I chose. David kept my commands and my rules.'"

35But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

"'But I will take the kingdom from his son. I will give ten tribes to you.'"

36And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

"'I will give his son one tribe. Then David my servant will always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem. That is the city I chose for my name.'"

37And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

"'I will take you and make you king over Israel. You will rule over all that you want.'"

38And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

"'Listen to everything I tell you. Live my way and do what is right to me. Keep my rules and my commands, as David my servant did. Then I will be with you. I will make your family strong, as I did for David. And I will give Israel to you.'"

39And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.

"'Because of this, I will bring trouble on David's family. But the trouble will not last forever.'"

40Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

So Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam ran away to Egypt, to King Shishak. He stayed there until Solomon died.

41And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

Solomon did many other things, and he was wise. All of it was written down in the book called the Acts of Solomon.

42And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Solomon was king in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

43And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

Then Solomon died and was buried in the city of David, his father. His son Rehoboam became king after him.

5And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

David said, "My son Solomon is young and has not learned much yet. The house built for the LORD must be very grand. People in every land must hear how great it is. So I will get things ready for it now." David got a huge amount ready before he died.

6Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

Then David called for his son Solomon. He told him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.

7And 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:

David said to Solomon, "My son, I wanted to build a house for the name of the LORD my God.

8But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

But the LORD said this to me: 'You have spilled much blood and fought big wars. You will not build a house for my name. You have spilled too much blood on the ground while I watched.

9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies. His name will be Solomon. I will give Israel peace and quiet while he rules.

10He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

He is the one who will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. I will make his family rule Israel forever.'

11Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

Now, my son, may the LORD be with you. May you do well and build the house of the LORD your God, just as he said you would.

12Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

Most of all, may the LORD give you good sense and understanding. May he give it when he puts you in charge of Israel. Then you can keep the law of the LORD your God.

13Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

You will do well if you carefully obey the rules God gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose heart.

14Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

Look, I worked hard to get things ready for the house of the LORD. I set aside 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver. I got more bronze and iron than anyone can weigh. I also got wood and stone. You may add more to it.

15Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

You also have many workers. There are men who cut stone, and men who build with stone and wood. There are men skilled at every kind of work.

16Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

You have more gold, silver, bronze, and iron than anyone can count. So get up and start the work. May the LORD be with you."

17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,

David also told all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. He said to them,

18Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.

"Is the LORD your God not with you? Has he not given you rest on every side? He handed the people of this land over to me. The land now obeys the LORD and his people.

19Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

Now give your whole heart to seeking the LORD your God. Get up and build the holy house of the LORD God. Then you can bring in the ark of the covenant of the LORD. You can bring in the holy dishes and tools of God too. They will go into the house built for the name of the LORD."

1And 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 called all the leaders of Israel to come to Jerusalem. He called the leaders of the tribes, the big family groups. He called the leaders of the groups who took turns serving the king. He called the officers over a thousand soldiers and over a hundred soldiers. He called the men who cared for everything the king and his sons owned. He also called the palace officials and all the strong, brave soldiers.

2Then 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:

Then King David stood up and said: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a house. It would be a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD. The ark was the gold box that held God's agreement with Israel. The house would be like a footstool for our God. I got everything ready to build it."

3But 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.

"But God said to me, 'You will not build a house for my name. You are a man of war, and you have spilled blood.'"

4Howbeit 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:

"Even so, the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of my whole family. He made me king over Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to lead. From Judah he chose my father's family. From my father's sons, he was pleased to make me king over all Israel."

5And 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.

"The LORD has given me many sons. Out of all of them, he chose my son Solomon. Solomon will sit on the throne of the LORD's kingdom over Israel."

6And 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.

"God said to me, 'Your son Solomon will build my house and my courtyards. I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.'"

7Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

"'I will make his kingdom last forever, if he keeps doing what I command. He must keep obeying my rules, the way he is doing today.'"

8Now 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.

"So now, in front of all Israel, the LORD's gathered people, and with our God listening, I say this. Obey and follow all the commands of the LORD your God. Then you will keep this good land. You will pass it on to your children forever."

9And 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.

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father. Serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind. The LORD looks into every heart. He understands every thought a person has. If you look for him, you will find him. But if you turn away from him, he will turn you away forever."

10Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

"Think about this now. The LORD has chosen you to build a house for his holy place. Be strong, and do it."

11Then 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,

Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the temple. They showed the covered entry, the buildings, and the storage rooms. They showed the upper rooms and the inner rooms. They also showed the room for the mercy seat, the gold cover on top of the ark.

12And 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:

The plans showed everything David had in his mind. They showed the courtyards of the house of the LORD. They showed all the rooms around it. They showed the rooms for treasure, and for the gifts given to God.

13Also 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.

The plans also showed how the priests and Levites would take turns working. Priests led the worship, and Levites helped them. The plans showed all the work to be done in the LORD's house. They showed all the tools and dishes used there.

14He 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:

David said how much gold to use for each gold object. He did this for every tool used in the work. He also said how much silver to use for each silver object.

15Even 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.

He said how much gold to use for the lampstands and their lamps. He gave the weight for each lampstand and for its lamps. He did the same for the silver lampstands and their lamps. Each weight matched the way that lampstand would be used.

16And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:

He said how much gold to use for each table that held the special bread. He also said how much silver to use for the silver tables.

17Also 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 said how much pure gold to use for the forks, the bowls, and the pitchers. He gave the weight of gold for each gold dish. He gave the weight of silver for each silver dish.

18And 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.

He said how much fine gold to use for the altar where sweet-smelling incense was burned. He also gave the plans for the gold chariot. It was made of cherubim, winged creatures, with their wings spread over the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

19All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

David said, "The LORD made me understand all of this. He put it in writing, with his hand on me. Every part of the plan came from him."

20And 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 said to his son Solomon: "Be strong and brave, and do the work. Do not be afraid. Do not give up. The LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. He will stay with you until all the work on the LORD's house is done."

21And, 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 groups of priests and Levites are ready. They will help with all the work in God's house. Every willing, skilled worker will help you with any job. The leaders and all the people will do whatever you say."

1Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

King David spoke to all the people gathered there. He said, "God has chosen my son Solomon. Solomon is young and still has much to learn. The work is very big. This great house is not for a man. It is for the LORD God."

2Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

"I worked as hard as I could to get things ready. I gathered gold for the gold parts and silver for the silver parts. I gathered bronze, iron, and wood for their parts too. I also gathered onyx stones, colored stones, and all kinds of costly stones. And I gathered lots of marble."

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,

"I love the house of my God. So I am also giving my own gold and silver. This is extra, on top of all I already got ready for the holy house."

4Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

"I am giving three thousand talents of gold from the land of Ophir. I am also giving seven thousand talents of pure silver. These will cover the walls of the buildings."

5The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

"The gold is for gold work, and the silver is for silver work. Skilled workers will make it all." Then David asked, "Who will give himself to the LORD today?"

6Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly,

So the leaders of the families gave gladly. The officers of the tribes gave too. So did the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. So did the men in charge of the king's work.

7And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

For the work on God's house they gave five thousand talents of gold. They also gave ten thousand gold coins. They gave ten thousand talents of silver and eighteen thousand talents of bronze. And they gave one hundred thousand talents of iron.

8And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

Anyone who had costly stones gave them for the LORD's house. A man named Jehiel, from the family of Gershon, took care of them.

9Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

The people were happy because their leaders gave so freely. They gave to the LORD with their whole hearts. King David was very happy too.

19And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

"Give my son Solomon a whole heart to obey you. Help him keep your commands, your rules, and your laws. Help him do all these things and build the great house I got ready for."

20And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

Then David said to all the people, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers. They bowed their heads low to honor the LORD and the king.

21And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

The next day they gave animals to the LORD as gifts. They brought a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs. They also poured out drink offerings and gave many more gifts for all Israel.

22And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

That day they ate and drank with great joy before the LORD. Then they made David's son Solomon king a second time. They poured oil on him to show he was chosen as ruler. They chose Zadok to be the priest.

23Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

So Solomon sat on the LORD's throne as king in place of his father David. Things went well for him. All Israel obeyed him.

24And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

All the leaders and the strong soldiers promised to obey King Solomon. All of King David's other sons promised too.

25And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

The LORD made Solomon very great in front of all Israel. He gave Solomon more royal honor than any king in Israel before him.