He told them: “You are the leaders of the Levites’ families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel up to the place I have prepared for it.

In the past, even when Saul was king, you were Israel’s commanding general. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel; you will rule over my people Israel.’”

The first time you did not carry it; that is why the Lord God attacked us, because we did not ask him about the proper way to carry it.”

What more can David say to you? You have honored your servant; you have given your servant special recognition.

Now, O Lord, you are the true God; you have made this good promise to your servant.

“Go, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord says: “You must not build me a house in which to live.

You made Israel your very own nation for all time. You, O Lord, became their God.

for you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a dynasty for him. That is why your servant has had the courage to pray to you.

Now you are willing to bless your servant’s dynasty so that it may stand permanently before you, for you, O Lord, have blessed it and it will be blessed from now on into the future.”

But God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor me, for you are a warrior and have spilled blood.’

David praised the Lord before the entire assembly: “O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore!

You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.

“And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.