1 Chronicles, 29

1. Then King David said to the whole assembly, "Solomon my son, whom Yahweh has chosen, is still young and the work is great; this palace is not for men but for Yahweh God.

2. With all my means, I have provided for the house of my God, adding gold to gold, silver to silver, bronze to bronze, iron to iron, wood to wood, onyx, inlaid stones, colored and striped stones, precious stones of every kind, masses of alabaster.

3. What is more, the gold and silver that I have in my own treasury I give out of love for the house of God, above what I have provided already for the Holy House -

4. 115 tons of the finest gold, gold of Ophir, 265 tons of pure silver for plating the walls of the buildings.

5. Whatever gold you have, whatever silver, or workmanship of the craftsman's hand, will each of you offer it to Yahweh today?"

6. Then the heads of families, the officials for the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and those who managed the king's affairs,

7. gave for the service of the house of God 190 tons of gold, 380 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron.

8. Those who had precious stones brought them to Jehiel, the Gershonite for the treasury of Yahweh's House.

9. The people rejoiced at what had been given so readily, since their gifts to Yahweh had been made wholeheartedly. King David too was filled with joy.

10. In sight of the whole assembly David blessed Yahweh and said: "May you be blessed, Yahweh God of Israel our ancestor, forever and ever!

11. Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, splendor, length of days, glory, for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the sovereignty forever, O Yahweh; you are supreme ruler over all.

12. Riches and honor go before you, you are ruler of all, in your hand lie strength and power; You are the one who gives greatness and strength to all.

13. At this time, our God, we give you thanks, we praise the splendor of your name.

14. For who am I and what is my people to have received all that we give you back now? All comes from you; what we have received from your own hand we have given to you.

15. For we are strangers before you, settlers only, as all our ancestors were; our days on earth pass like a shadow, and there is no hope beyond.

16. Yahweh, our God, all this wealth that we have brought together to build a house for your holy Name, comes from your hand, all is yours.

17. O my God, I know that you examine the heart and delight in honesty, and in honesty of heart I have willingly given all this; and now with joy I have seen your people here offer their gifts willingly.

18. O Yahweh, God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep such thoughts in the hearts and minds of your people forever, and direct their hearts toward you.

19. Give Solomon my son a heart determined to keep your commandments, your decrees, your statutes; may he practice them all, and build this palace I have prepared for you."

20. Then David said to the whole assembly, "Bless now Yahweh your God!" And the whole assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and went on their knees to give honor to Yahweh and to the king.

21. The following day, the Israelites offered sacrifices and burnt offerings to Yahweh: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs with their wine offerings, as well as many sacrifices for the whole of Israel.

22. They ate and drank that day in Yahweh's presence with great joy. Then they made Solomon, son of David, their second king and anointed him to rule over them in the name of Yahweh, and anointed Zadok as priest.

23. Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh, in place of David his father. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.

24. All the officials, all the champions, and even all the sons of King David, swore fidelity to King Solomon.

25. Yahweh exalted Solomon greatly in the eyes of all Israel, and gave him a glorious reign such as had not been enjoyed by any king over Israel before him.

26. David son of Jesse had reigned over the whole of Israel.

27. His reign over Israel had lasted forty years; he had reigned in Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.

28. He died at a good old age, with his fill of days, of riches, of honor. Then his son Solomon succeeded him.

29. The history of King David, from first to last, can be found in the records of Samuel, the prophet, the records of Nathan the prophet, and the records of Gad, the prophet.

30. These records tell how he ruled, how powerful he was, and all the things that happened to him, to Israel, and to the surrounding kingdoms.