Solomon

1King 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.

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

NoteKings often married women from other lands. It was a way to make friends with those countries. Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon were lands near Israel. The Hittites were another people who lived nearby.

2The 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.

Of 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.

NoteThe King James says the women would "turn away your heart." In the Bible, your heart means what you love and choose. So this means they would make Solomon love other gods.

3Solomon 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.

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

NoteA concubine was a kind of wife with less honor. Her children did not share the family's things the same way. Kings back then often had many wives at once.

4When 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.

For 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.

5Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the people of Sidon. He also followed Milcom, the god of the Ammonites. The LORD hated that god.

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

NoteA goddess is a woman god that people prayed to. Ashtoreth and Milcom were gods of lands near Israel. The King James calls Milcom an "abomination." That word means something God hated.

6So Solomon did what was evil in the LORD's eyes. He did not follow the LORD all the way, as his father David did.

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

Note"Evil in the sight of the LORD" is a Bible way of speaking. It means God saw what he did and it was wrong.

7Solomon 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. The LORD hated that god as well.

Then 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.

NoteA high place was a worship spot built on a hill. It had an altar, a stone table for gifts to a god. Chemosh and Molech were gods of the lands next door.

8He did the same for all his wives from other lands. They burned sweet-smelling incense and gave gifts to their own gods.

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

NoteIncense is dried tree sap that smells sweet when it burns. People burned it as a gift to a god. To sacrifice meant to kill an animal as a gift too.

9The 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.

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

NoteGod had spoken with Solomon two times before this. Both times it happened in a dream at night.

10The LORD had told him clearly not to follow other gods. But Solomon did not obey what the LORD said.

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

11So 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."

Wherefore 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.

NoteA covenant is a strong promise between two sides. God had made one with Israel long before. The King James says God will "rend" the kingdom. Rend means to tear, like tearing cloth in two.

12"But I will not do it while you are alive. I will wait, for the sake of your father David. I will tear it away from your son instead."

Notwithstanding 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.

13"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."

Howbeit 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.

NoteIsrael was made of twelve tribes. A tribe is a big family group. All the people in one tribe came from the same grandfather long ago.

14Then the LORD brought an enemy against Solomon. He was Hadad from Edom. He came from the royal family of Edom.

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

NoteThe King James calls Hadad an "adversary." That means an enemy who fights against you. Edom was a land just south of Israel.

15Long 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.

For 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;

NoteDavid was Solomon's father and king before him. A war with Edom had happened many years earlier.

16Joab and all Israel stayed there six months. He stayed until every male in Edom was killed.

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

17But Hadad ran away to Egypt. Some of his father's servants from Edom went with him. Hadad was only a little boy then.

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

18They 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.

And 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.

NoteMidian and Paran were dry desert lands south of Israel. Travelers crossed them on the way to Egypt.

19Pharaoh liked Hadad very much. He let Hadad marry the sister of Queen Tahpenes, Pharaoh's own wife.

And 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.

NoteThe King James says Hadad "found great favour" with Pharaoh. That means the king was pleased with him and was kind to him.

20Tahpenes' sister had a son named Genubath. Tahpenes raised him in Pharaoh's palace. Genubath lived there with Pharaoh's own sons.

And 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.

NoteThe King James says Tahpenes "weaned" the boy. Weaning is when a small child stops drinking milk. So she cared for him until he was big enough to eat food.

21In 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."

And 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.

NoteThe King James says David "slept with his fathers." That is a gentle way of saying he died. He was buried in the same place as his family.

22Pharaoh asked, "What have you needed here with me? Why do you want to go home?" Hadad said, "Nothing. But please let me go anyway."

Then 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.

23God brought another enemy against Solomon too. He was Rezon son of Eliada. He had run away from his master, Hadadezer the king of Zobah.

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

NoteZobah was a small kingdom north of Israel. A master was the man Rezon had to work for.

24Rezon 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.

And 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.

NoteA band was a group of fighting men who followed one leader. Damascus was a big city far north of Israel.

25Rezon fought Israel the whole time Solomon was king. Hadad caused trouble as well. Rezon hated Israel and ruled over Syria.

And 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.

NoteSyria was the land north of Israel. Damascus was its main city.

26Jeroboam 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.

And 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.

NoteEphraim was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. A widow is a woman whose husband has died. The King James says Jeroboam "lifted up his hand against the king." That means he fought back against his own king.

27Here 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.

And 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.

NoteThe Millo was a huge stack of stone in Jerusalem. It held up the ground so buildings could stand on the hill. The city of David was the oldest part of Jerusalem. David had taken it and made it his home.

28Jeroboam 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.

And 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.

NoteThe King James calls him "a mighty man of valour," meaning strong and brave. The house of Joseph means the families who came from Joseph. Solomon put Jeroboam over their work crews for the king's building.

29One day Jeroboam was walking out of Jerusalem. Ahijah from Shiloh met him on the road. Ahijah had put on a new coat. The two men were alone in an open field.

And 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:

NoteAhijah was a prophet. A prophet is a person who tells others what God says. He came from Shiloh, a town where Israel had worshiped long before.

30Ahijah took hold of the new coat he was wearing. He tore it into twelve pieces.

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

NoteProphets sometimes acted out a message instead of only saying it. Twelve pieces stood for the twelve tribes of Israel. Tearing the coat showed the kingdom being torn apart.

31He 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.'"

And 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:

32"'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.'"

(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:)

NoteThe one tribe was Judah, the tribe David came from. Jerusalem was in that tribe's land.

33"'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.'"

Because 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.

34"'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.'"

Howbeit 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:

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

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

36"'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.'"

And 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.

NoteA lamp that keeps burning was a picture of a family going on. It means someone from David's family would keep being king. "To put my name there" means the city belonged to God in a special way.

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

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

38"'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.'"

And 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.

NoteThe King James says God will build him "a sure house." House here does not mean a building. It means a family, with sons who become kings after him.

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

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

NoteThe King James says "the seed of David." Seed means his children, and their children after them.

40So Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam ran away to Egypt, to King Shishak. He stayed there until Solomon died.

Solomon 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.

NoteShishak was the king of Egypt at that time. Egypt was far away, so Jeroboam would be safe there.

41Solomon did many other things, and he was wise. All of it was written down in the book called the Acts of Solomon.

And 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?

NoteLong ago, writers kept record books about each king. The book of the acts of Solomon was one of them. Nobody has that book today.

42Solomon was king in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

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

43Then Solomon died and was buried in the city of David, his father. His son Rehoboam became king after him.

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

NoteThe King James says Solomon "slept with his fathers," meaning he died. He was buried in the city of David, the old part of Jerusalem.

5David 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.

And 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.

NoteThe King James says Solomon was "young and tender." That means he was still learning and had not done big jobs yet.

6Then David called for his son Solomon. He told him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.

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

7David said to Solomon, "My son, I wanted to build a house for the name of the LORD my God.

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:

NoteBuilding a house "for the name of the LORD" means building it for God himself. It was the place where people came to meet him.

8But 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.

But 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.

Note"Shed blood" means killed people. David had fought in many wars as king.

9But 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.

Behold, 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.

NoteThe name Solomon sounds like the Hebrew word for peace. So his name was a promise about the quiet years he would have.

10He 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.'

He 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.

NoteKings of Israel were often called God's sons. It was a way of saying God chose them and cared for them.

11Now, 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.

Now, 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.

12Most of all, may the LORD give you good sense and understanding. May he put you in charge of Israel. Then you can keep the law of the LORD your God.

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

13You 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.

Then 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.

NoteMoses was a leader long before David. God gave him rules for the people of Israel to live by.

14Look, 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.

Now, 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.

NoteA talent was a weight, about seventy five pounds. That is heavier than most first graders. So this was more gold and silver than anyone could carry.

15You 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.

Moreover 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.

16You have more gold, silver, bronze, and iron than anyone can count. So get up and start the work. May the LORD be with you."

Of 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.

17David also told all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. He said to them,

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

18"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.

Is 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.

Note"Rest on every side" means no enemies were attacking them. The fighting had stopped, so people felt safe.

19Now 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."

Now 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.

NoteThe ark of the covenant was a special gold covered box. Inside were the stones with God's rules written on them. A covenant is a solemn promise between two sides. The holy dishes and tools were bowls, cups, and other things used only for worship.

1David 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, the strong men, and all the brave soldiers.

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.

NoteJerusalem was the city where David lived and ruled as king. The leaders came from all over the country to meet him there.

2Then 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."

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:

NoteIn the Bible, a house for God means the temple, a big building for worshiping God. A footstool is a low seat for resting your feet. Calling the place God's footstool was a way of saying God is a king sitting on a throne.

3"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.'"

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.

NoteA man of war means a soldier who fought in many battles. David had been a soldier for most of his life.

4"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."

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:

NoteIsrael was made of twelve big family groups called tribes. Judah was one of them, and David's family belonged to it.

5"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."

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.

NoteA throne is the special chair a king sits on. Sitting on the throne means being the king.

6"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.'"

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.

NoteCourtyards are open spaces with walls around them and no roof. People gathered in them outside the temple building.

7"'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.'"

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

8"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."

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.

9"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."

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.

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

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

NoteA holy place means a place kept just for God. Nothing else was used there.

11Then 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.

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,

NoteThe mercy seat was the gold lid on top of the ark. It was kept in the most special room of all.

12The 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.

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:

NoteDedicated things were gifts people gave to God. Once given, they were used only in God's house.

13The 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.

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.

NoteThere were far too many priests to all work at once. So they were put in groups, and each group took its turn.

14David 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.

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:

15He 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.

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.

NoteA lampstand is a stand that holds small oil lamps. Lamps like these gave light inside, because there were no light switches then.

16He 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.

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

NoteThe special bread was twelve loaves kept on a table in God's house. There was one loaf for each tribe, and fresh ones each week.

17He 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.

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:

NoteThese forks were long and made of metal. Priests used them to lift meat that was given to God.

18He 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.

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.

NoteIncense is a sweet-smelling gum that makes a nice smell when it burns. An altar is a special table where gifts to God were burned. A chariot is a cart pulled by horses; here the winged creatures were pictured like God's chariot.

19David 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."

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

Note"His hand upon me" is a way of saying God was helping and guiding David.

20David 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."

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.

21"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."

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.

1King 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."

Furthermore 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.

NoteThe "palace" here is not a king's home. It is the temple, a special house for worshiping God.

2"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."

Now 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.

NoteOnyx is a smooth, pretty stone with stripes of color. Marble is a hard white stone used to build walls and floors. Bronze is a hard metal made by mixing copper and tin.

3"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."

Moreover, 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,

4"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."

Even 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:

NoteA talent was a big weight, about seventy-five pounds. That is as heavy as a large dog. Ophir was a faraway land known for very fine gold.

5"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?"

The 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?

Note"Give himself to the LORD" means to offer your gifts and your work to God.

6So 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.

Then 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,

NoteIsrael was made of twelve big family groups called tribes. Commanders of thousands and hundreds were army leaders. The number tells how many soldiers each one led.

7For 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.

And 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.

NoteThese gold coins were small and flat, like the money we use. The talents were weights of metal instead of coins.

8Anyone who had costly stones gave them for the LORD's house. A man named Jehiel, from the family of Gershon, took care of them.

And 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.

NoteGershon was one of the family groups that helped care for God's house. Jehiel kept the gifts safe, like a person who guards a treasure room.

9The people were happy because their leaders gave so freely. They gave to the LORD with their whole hearts. King David was very happy too.

Then 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.

19"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."

And 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.

NoteGod's commands, rules, and laws were his instructions for how the people should live.

20Then 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.

And 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.

NoteBowing your head low was the way people showed great respect. They did it for God and for their king.

21The 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.

And 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:

NoteThese animals were gifts burned on an altar, a special stone table for giving gifts to God. A drink offering was wine poured out as a gift too. A ram is a grown male sheep.

22That 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.

And 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.

NotePouring olive oil on someone's head was a special sign. It showed God had picked that person to be king. A priest was a man who led the people in worship and brought their gifts to God.

23So Solomon sat on the LORD's throne as king in place of his father David. Things went well for him. All Israel obeyed him.

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

NoteCalling it "the LORD's throne" means the king ruled for God. The kingdom really belonged to God, not to the king.

24All the leaders and the strong soldiers promised to obey King Solomon. All of King David's other sons promised too.

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

25The LORD made Solomon very great in front of all Israel. He gave Solomon more royal honor than any king in Israel before him.

And 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.