I will become his father and he will become my son. I will never withhold my loyal love from him, as I withheld it from the one who ruled before you.<n id="1" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">David went in, sat before the <sc>Lordsc>, and said: &#8220;Who am I, O <sc>Lordsc> God, and what is my family,<n id="1" /> that you should have brought me to this point?

&#8220;Go, tell David, &#8216;This is what the <sc>Lordsc> says: &#8220;I am offering you three forms of judgment from which to choose. Pick one of them.&#8221;&#8217;&#8221;<n id="1" />

David said to Solomon: &#8220;My son, I really wanted<n id="1" /> to build a temple to honor<n id="2" /> the <sc>Lordsc> my God.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much?<n id="1" /> Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.<n id="2" />

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;So now, say this to my servant David: &#8216;This is what the <sc>Lordsc> who commands armies<n id="1" /> says: &#8220;I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd<n id="2" /> to make you a leader of my people Israel.

David said to God, &#8220;Was I not the one who decided to number the army? I am the one who sinned and committed this awful deed!<n id="1" /> As for these sheep &#8211; what have they done? O <sc>Lordsc> my God, attack me and my family,<n id="2" /> but remove the plague from your people!&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">King David rose to his feet and said: &#8220;Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a temple where the ark of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s covenant could be placed as a footstool for our God.<n id="1" /> I have made the preparations for building it.

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts<n id="1" /> and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives<n id="2" /> I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.