I Chronicles 28 David exhorts the princes and his son Solomon

 I Chronicles 28

David exhorts the princes and his son Solomon

1 Then David assembled all the princes of Israel in Jerusalem, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the courses that ministered to the king, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers of all the substance and possession of the king and his sons, with the eunuchs, and the mighty men, and every mighty man of valor.

2 Then King David stood up and said, "Hear me, my brethren, and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared to build it.

3 But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, and you have shed much blood.

4 And the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father's house to be king over Israel forever; for he chose Judah to be prince, and my father's house out of the house of Judah; and among my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.

5 And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons), he chose my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

6 And he said to me, "Your son Solomon will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him as my son, and I will be his father.

7 And I will establish his kingdom forever, if he continues to follow my commandments and my judgments, as at this day." 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

9 And you, Solomon, my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intents of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

10 Now therefore, see, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do the work.