David did not count the males twenty years old and under, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.

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

From all the many sons the Lord has given me, he chose Solomon my son to rule on his behalf over Israel.

He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father.

The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; King David was also very happy.

O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.

For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors; our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security.

(Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.

Now, Lord God, may your promise to my father David be realized, for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”

The priests left the holy place. All the priests who participated had consecrated themselves, no matter which division they represented.

The priests could not carry out their duties because of the cloud; the Lord’s splendor filled God’s temple.

The Lord told my father David, ‘It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me.

But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’

“If your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they sinned against you, then if they come back to you, renew their allegiance to you, and pray for your help before you in this temple,

The priests were unable to enter the Lord’s temple because the Lord’s splendor filled the Lord’s temple.

On the eighth day they held an assembly, for they had dedicated the altar for seven days and celebrated the festival for seven more days.

Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces.

They supported the kingdom of Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; they followed the edicts of David and Solomon for three years.

Because they were unfaithful to the Lord, in King Rehoboam’s fifth year, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem.