1 Chronicles 22 - Easy To Read Version

¹ David said, “The temple {\cf2\super [231]} of the Lord God and the altar for burning offerings for the people of Israel will be built here.”

² David gave an order for all foreigners living in Israel to be gathered together. David chose stonecutters {\cf2\super [232]} from that group of foreigners. Their job was to cut stones ready to be used for building God’s temple. {\cf2\super [233]}

³ David got iron for making nails and hinges for the gate doors. David also got more bronze than could be weighed.

⁴ And David got more cedar logs than could be counted. The people from the cities of Sidon and Tyre brought many cedar logs to David.

⁵ David said, “We should build a very great temple {\cf2\super [234]} for the Lord. But my son Solomon is young and he hasn’t learned the things he needs to know. The Lord’s temple should be very great. It should be famous in all the nations because of its greatness and beauty. That is why I will make plans for building the Lord’s temple.” So David made many plans \{for building the temple\} before he died.

⁶ Then David called for his son Solomon. David told Solomon to build the temple {\cf2\super [235]} for the Lord God of Israel.

⁷ David said to Solomon, “My son, I wanted to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God.

⁸ But the Lord said to me, ‘David, you have fought many wars and you have killed many people. So you can’t build a temple for my name.

⁹ But you have a son that is a man of peace. I will give your son a time of peace. His enemies around him will not bother him. His name is Solomon. {\cf2\super [236]} And I will give Israel peace and quiet during the time that Solomon is king.

¹⁰ Solomon will build a temple for my name. Solomon will be my son, and I will be his Father. And I will make Solomon’s kingdom strong. And someone from his family will rule Israel forever!’”

¹¹ David also said, “Now, son, may the Lord be with you. May you be successful and build the temple {\cf2\super [237]} for the Lord your God, like he said you would.

¹² The Lord will make you the king of Israel. May the Lord give you wisdom and understanding so you can lead the people and obey the law of the Lord your God.

¹³ And you will have success, if you are careful to obey the rules and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid.

¹⁴ “Solomon, I have worked hard making plans for building the Lord’s temple. {\cf2\super [238]} I have given 3,750 tons {\cf2\super [239]} of gold. And I have given about 37,500 tons {\cf2\super [240]} of silver. I have given so much bronze and iron that it can’t be weighed. And I have given wood and stone. Solomon, you can add to them.

¹⁵ You have many stonecutters {\cf2\super [241]} and carpenters. {\cf2\super [242]} You have men skilled in every kind of work.

¹⁶ They are skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron. You have more skilled workers than can be counted. Now begin the work. And may the Lord be with you.”

¹⁷ Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.

¹⁸ David said to these leaders, “The Lord your God is with you. He has given you a time of peace. The Lord helped me to defeat the people living around us. The Lord and his people are now in control of this land.

¹⁹ Now give your heart and soul to the Lord your God, and do the things he says. Build the holy place of the Lord God. Build the temple {\cf2\super [243]} for the Lord’s name. Then bring the Box of the Agreement {\cf2\super [244]} and all the other holy things into the temple.”