Bible in 90 Days

24 Now these were the divisions of the sons of Aaron.

The sons of Aaron were Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ² But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as kohanim. ³ David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them into their offices according to their avodah. ⁴ More leading men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, so they divided them: the sons of Eleazar had 16 leaders of clans and the sons of Ithamar had eight leaders of clans. ⁵ Thus, they were impartially divided by lot for there were officials of the Holy Place and officials of God, both from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.

⁶ The scribe Shemaiah, son of Nethanel from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the clans of the kohanim and of the Levites: one clan taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.

⁷ Now the first lot came for Jehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah, ⁸ the third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim, ⁹ the fifth for Malchijah, the sixth for Mijamin, ¹⁰ the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth for Abijah, ¹¹ the ninth for Jeshua, the tenth for Shecaniah, ¹² the eleventh for Eliashib, the twelfth for Jakim, ¹³ the thirteenth for Huppah, the fourteenth for Heshebeab, ¹⁴ the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth for Immer, ¹⁵ the seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for Hapizzez, ¹⁶ the nineteenth for Petahiah the twentieth for Jehezkel, ¹⁷ the twentyfirst for Jachin, the twentysecond for Gamul, ¹⁸ the twentythird for Delaiah, the twentyfourth for Maaziah.

¹⁹ These were their duties for their avodah upon entering into the House of Adonai according to the ordinance given to them by the hand of Aaron their father, just as Adonai the God of Israel had commanded him.

²⁰ As for the rest of the sons of Levi:

from the sons of Amram: Shubael;

from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.

²¹ As for Rehabiah, from the sons of Rehabiah

Isshiah was the first.

²² From the Izharites: Shelomoth;

from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath.

²³ The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

²⁴ The sons of Uzziel: Micah;

from the sons of Micah: Shamir.

²⁵ The brother of Micah, Ishiah;

from the sons of Ishiah: Zechariah.

²⁶ The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi;

the sons of Jaaziah: Beno.

²⁷ The sons of Merari:

from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur and Ibri.

²⁸ From Mahli:

Eleazar, who had no sons.

²⁹ From Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel.

³⁰ The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth.

These were the sons of the Levites by their clans. ³¹ These also cast lots even as their kinsmen the sons of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech and the heads of the clans of the kohanim and the Levites—the families of the oldest just like those of his youngest brother.

Orders of Prophetic Levites

25 Moreover, David and the commanders of the army, set apart for avodah the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun who prophesied with lyres, harps and cymbals. The list of those who performed this work according to their service was: ² from the sons of Asaph:

Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the hand of the king.

³ As for Jeduthun, from Jeduthun’s sons:

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah—six, under the charge of their father Jeduthun—who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to Adonai.

⁴ As for Heman, from Heman’s sons:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. ⁵ All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer according to the promise of God to lift up a horn. God gave Heman 14 sons and three daughters.

⁶ All these were under the direction of their father for singing in the House of Adonai with cymbals, harps and lyres for the avodah of the House of God under the hand of the king. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman along with ⁷ with their kinsmen all trained and skillfull singers of Adonai, numbered 288. ⁸ They cast lots for their divisions on the principal of small and great alike, teacher as well as student.

⁹ Now the first lot went to Asaph’s son Joseph—12

the second to Gedaliah, his brothers and sons—12;

¹⁰ the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹¹ the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹² the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹³ the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹⁴ the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹⁵ the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹⁶ the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹⁷ the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹⁸ the 11^th to Azarel, his sons and his brothers—12;

¹⁹ the 12^th to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁰ the 13^th to Shubael, his sons and his brothers—12;

²¹ the 14^th to Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers—12;

²² the 15^th to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers—12;

²³ the 16^th to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁴ the 17^th to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁵ the 18^th to Hanani, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁶ the 19^th to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁷ the 20^th to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁸ the 21^st to Hothir, his sons and his brothers—12;

²⁹ the 22^nd to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers—12;

³⁰ the 23^rd to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers—12;

³¹ the 24^th to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers—12.

Gatekeepers and Treasurers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:

of the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

² Meshelemiah had sons:

Zechariah the firstborn,

Jediael the second,

Zebadiah the third,

Jathniel the fourth,

³ Elam the fifth,

Jehohanan the sixth,

and Eliehoenai the seventh.

⁴ Obed-edom had sons:

Shemaiah the firstborn,

Jehozabad the second,

Joah the third,

Sacar the fourth,

Nethanel the fifth,

⁵ Ammiel the sixth,

Issachar the seventh,

and Peullethai the eighth,

(for God had blessed him).

⁶ To his son Shemaiah were born sons who were leaders of their clans, for they were men of great ability. ⁷ The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad. His brothers Elihu and Semachiah were also valiant men. ⁸ All these were descendants of Obed-edom. They and their sons and their kinsmen were capable men with the strength to do the work—62 of Obed-edom.

⁹ Meshelemiah had sons and brothers—18 able men.

¹⁰ Also Hosah, a descendant of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), ¹¹ Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were 13.

¹² These divisions of the gatekeepers by their chief men had duties corresponding to their kinsmen for avodah in the House of Adonai. ¹³ So they cast lots, small and great alike, by clans for each gate.

¹⁴ The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for Zechariah his son, an insightful counselor, and his lot came out for the north gate. ¹⁵ To Obed-edom the south gate and to his sons the storehouse. ¹⁶ To Shuppim and Hosah the east gate by the Shallecheth gate on the ascending highway.

Guard corresponded to guard. ¹⁷ There were six Levites on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south, and at the storehouse by pairs. ¹⁸ At the colonnade on the west, there were four on the road and two at the colonnade itself. ¹⁹ These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and the sons of Merari.

²⁰ And the Levites: Ahijah was over the treasuries of the House of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things. ²¹ The descendants of Ladan who were sons of Gershon through Ladan and were chiefs of the clans of Ladan the Gershonite were Jehieli, ²² the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother. They were over the treasuries of the House of Adonai.

²³ Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, the Uzzielites:

²⁴ Shebuel son of Gershom son of Moses was officer over the treasuries. ²⁵ His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son and Shelomith his son.

²⁶ This Shelomith and his kinsmen were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things that King David and the chiefs of the clans and the commanders over thousands and hundreds, and other army commanders had dedicated. ²⁷ They dedicated some of the plunder taken in battles to maintain the House of Adonai. ²⁸ All that Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah had dedicated, and any other dedicated thing was in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.

²⁹ Of the Izharites: Henaniah and his sons were assigned outside duties as officers and judges over Israel.

³⁰ Of the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 capable men, had oversight of Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of Adonai and for the king’s service. ³¹ As for the Hebronites: Jerijah was the chief of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David’s reign a search was made and found in them were valiant men in Jazer of Gilead. ³² His relatives, 2,700 men of valor, were heads of clans whom King David had appointed over the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manasseh in every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.

David’s Officers

27 The number of Bnei-Yisrael—heads of clans, officers of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters of the divisions that came in and went out month by month throughout the year—each division had 24,000.

² Over the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. His division had 24,000. ³ He was a descendant of Perez, the head of all the officers of the army for the first month.

⁴ Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite. Mikloth was the chief officer and his division consisted of 24,000.

⁵ The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the kohen. He was leader of his division, which consisted of 24,000. ⁶ This was Benaiah, who was a mighty man of the 30 and had charge over the 30. Ammizabad his son was over his division.

⁷ The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Asahel brother of Joab. Zebadiah, his son, succeeded him. His division consisted of 24,000.

⁸ The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth the Izrahite. His division consisted of 24,000.

⁹ The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹⁰ The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Heletz the Pelonite, from the children of Ephraim. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹¹ The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibbcai the Hushathite from the Zerahites. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹² The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathotite, of the Benjamites. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹³ The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹⁴ The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite a descendant of Ephraim. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹⁵ The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel. His division consisted of 24,000.

¹⁶ Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel:

of the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zichri was the chief officer;

of the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maacah;

¹⁷ of Levi: Hashabiah son of Kemuel;

of Aaron: Zadok;

¹⁸ of Judah: Elihu, one of David’s brothers;

of Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

¹⁹ of Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

of Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel;

²⁰ of the children of Ephraim: Hoshea son of Azaziah;

of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

²¹ of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah;

of Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;

²² of Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham.

These were the officers of the tribes of Israel.

²³ But David did not count those 20 years old and under, because Adonai had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven. ²⁴ Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count them, but did not finish. Wrath came upon Israel for this and the number was not entered into the account in the chronicles of King David.

²⁵ Over the king’s storehouses: Azmaveth son of Adiel.

Over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, in the villages and in the citadels: Jonathan son of Uzziah;

²⁶ over the field laborers for tilling the ground: Ezri the son of Chelub;

²⁷ over the vineyards: Shimei the Ramathite;

over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars: Zabdi the Shiphmite;

²⁸ over the olive trees and the sycamore trees in the lowland: Baal-hanan the Gederite;

over the cellars of oil: Joash;

²⁹ over the cattle grazing in Sharon: Shirtai the Sharonite;

over the cattle grazing in the valleys: Shaphat son of Adlai;

³⁰ over the camels: Obil the Ishmaelite;

over the donkeys: Jehdeiah the Meronothite;

³¹ and over the flocks: Jaziz the Hagrite.

All these were stewards over the property of King David.

³² Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, learned man and scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni tutored the king’s sons. ³³ Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. ³⁴ Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiatar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

Men and Materials

28 Now David assembled all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem—the tribal officers, the commanders of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and the stewards over all the property and livestock of the king and of his sons, along with the high officials, the mighty warriors and all the men of valor.

² Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai and for the footstool of our God. So I made the preparations for the building. ³ But God said to me, ‘You will not build a House for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ ⁴ Yet Adonai, the God of Israel, has chosen me out of all my ancestral house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as ruler, and of the house of Judah, my father’s house, and of my father’s sons, He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. ⁵ Moreover, of all my sons—for Adonai has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of Adonai over Israel.

⁶ “He said to me, ‘Solomon your son will build My House and My courts for I have chosen him to be a son to Me and I will be a father to him. ⁷ I will establish his kingdom forever, if he resolutely observes My mitzvot and My ordinances as at this day.’ ⁸ Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of Adonai and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek all the mitzvot of Adonai your God so that you may possess this good land and may bequeath it to your children after you forever.

⁹ “Now you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; for Adonai searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. ¹⁰ Consider now, for Adonai has chosen you to build a House for the Sanctuary. Chazak! And do it!”

¹¹ Then David gave Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, its houses, its storerooms, its upper rooms, its inner rooms, and the place of atonement; ¹² and the plan of all that he had by the Ruach for the courts of the House of Adonai and all the surrounding rooms, for the storehouses of the House of God and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; ¹³ also for the divisions of the kohanim and the Levites, for all the tasks of the avodah of the House of Adonai, and for all the vessels of avodah in the House of Adonai. ¹⁴ For gold, the weight of gold for all vessels of every kind of avodah, and silver, the weight of silver for all vessels for every type of avodah; ¹⁵ and the weight for the gold menorot and their gold lamps, including the weight of each menorah and its lamps, for the silver menorot, including the weight of each menorah and its lamps according to the use of each menorah; ¹⁶ also the weight of gold for the tables of the rows of bread, for every table and silver for the silver tables; ¹⁷ and the forks, the basins, and the pitchers of pure gold, and for the golden bowls with the weight for every bowl, and for the silver bowls with the weight for every bowl; ¹⁸ and for the altar of incense with the weight of refined gold; and gold for the form of the chariot—the cheruvim—that spread out their wings covering the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai.

¹⁹ “All this I put in writing is from the hand of Adonai upon me as He gave me insight regarding the plan of all the works.”

²⁰ Also David said to his son Solomon: “Chazak! And be courageous, and do it! Do not be afraid or dismayed, for Adonai Elohim my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the avodah of the House of Adonai is finished. ²¹ Now behold, here are the divisions of the kohanim and the Levites for all the avodah of the House of God, and with you in all the work are willing men, skilled in all types of tasks. Also the officials and all the people are at your command.”

David Commissions His Son

29 Then King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced and the task is great, for the palace is not for man but for Adonai Elohim. ² Now I have made every effort to prepare for the House of my God gold for the golden objects, silver for silver, copper for copper, iron for iron, and wood for wood; onyx stones and inlay stones, stones of antimony and varigated colors—every kind of precious stones and marble in abundance. ³ Moreover, in my devotion to the House of my God, I have given over my private treasure of gold and silver to the House of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for the holy House: ⁴ 3,000 gold talents of gold from Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver to overlay the walls of the houses— ⁵ gold for golden objects and silver for silver for all the work—into the hands of craftsmen. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself this day to Adonai?”

⁶ Then the leaders of the clans, the officials of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and hundreds and the supervisors over the king’s work contributed willingly. ⁷ They gave for the service of the House of God: 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron. ⁸ Whoever possessed stones gave them to the treasury of the House of Adonai in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. ⁹ Then the people rejoiced over their freewill offerings because with a whole heart they offered willingly to Adonai. King David also rejoiced with great joy.

¹⁰ David blessed Adonai before the whole congregation saying,

¹⁴ “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your hand we have given to You. ¹⁵ For we are sojourners before You, mere transients like our fathers. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, without security. ¹⁶ Adonai Eloheinu, all this abundance that we have laid aside to build You a House for Your holy Name is from Your hand; it all belongs to You. ¹⁷ I know, my God, that You search the heart and take pleasure in uprightness. With integrity of heart I have willingly offered all these things. And now I have seen with joy Your people who are present here willingly contribute to You. ¹⁸ Adonai, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel our fathers, preserve forever such motives and thoughts in the heart of Your people and make their heart constant toward You. ¹⁹ As for my son Solomon, give him a whole heart to keep Your mitzvot, Your decrees and Your statutes, and to fulfill them all and to build the Temple for which I have made provision.”

²⁰ Then David said to the whole congregation, “Now bless Adonai your God.”

So the whole congregation blessed Adonai, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and fell prostrate before Adonai and the king.

Solomon Acclaimed King

²¹ The next day, they sacrificed sacrifices to Adonai and offered burnt offerings to Adonai; 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, along with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. ²² So they ate and drank before Adonai on that day with great joy.

Then they designated Solomon the son of David as king a second time, anointing him before Adonai as ruler and Zadok as kohen. ²³ So Solomon sat on the throne of Adonai as king instead of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. ²⁴ All the officials and mighty men, as well as all the sons of King David, pledged their hand in support of King Solomon. ²⁵ Adonai highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had never been on any king before him in Israel.

²⁶ Now David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. ²⁷ The length of his reign over Israel was 40 years. He reigned in Hebron seven years and he reigned in Jerusalem 33 years. ²⁸ He died at a good old age, full of days, riches and honor, and his son Solomon became king in his place.

²⁹ Now the acts of King David, the first and the last, behold, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer ³⁰ together with all his reign, his power and the events that involved him, Israel and all the kingdoms of the lands.

Solomon Asks for Wisdom at Gibeon

1 Now Solomon the son of David firmly established himself over his kingdom. For Adonai his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

² Solomon spoke to all Israel—t0 the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the leading patriarchs— ³ and Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the Tent of Meeting of God was there, which Moses the servant of Adonai had made in the wilderness. ⁴ Now David had brought up the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. ⁵ But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur had made was there in front of the Tabernacle of Adonai, and Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there. ⁶ So Solomon went up before Adonai to the bronze altar that was at the Tent of Meeting and offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it.

⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask! What should I give you?”

⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great lovingkindness to my father David and now You have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, Adonai Elohim, let Your word to my father David be fulfilled for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Now give me wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before this people. For who can govern this great people of Yours?”

¹¹ Then God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you and have not even asked for long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself—so you can govern My people over whom I have made you king— ¹² wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. Moreover, I will give you riches, possessions and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you ever had and none after you will have.”

¹³ Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from in front of the Tent of Meeting. So he reigned over Israel.

Horses and Chariots from Egypt

¹⁴ Solomon accumulated chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the foothills. ¹⁶ Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Keve—the king’s merchants purchased them from Keve at a price. ¹⁷ They imported a chariot from Egypt for 600 talents of silver and a horse for 150. So by the same means they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.

Solomon Prepares to Build

¹⁸ Then Solomon vowed to build a House for the Name of Adonai, as well as a royal palace for himself.

2 Solomon recruited 70,000 men as carriers, 80,000 as stonecutters in the mountains and 3,600 supervisors over them.

² Then Solomon sent word to Huram the king of Tyre saying, “Deal with me as you did with my father David when you sent him cedars to build a house to dwell in. ³ Behold, I am about to build a House for the Name of Adonai my God and to dedicate it to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for regular arrangement of the Bread of the Presence and for burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on Shabbatot, New Moons and moadim of Adonai Eloheinu. Upon Israel this is forever.

⁴ “The House that I am about to build will be great, because our God is greater than all the gods. ⁵ But who is able to build Him a House, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I that I should build Him a House—except to burn incense before Him?

⁶ “So now, send me a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with the skilled men who are with me, whom my father David provided. ⁷ Send me also cedar, evergreen and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants are skilled in cutting timber in Lebanon. Indeed my servants will work with yours ⁸ to prepare an abundance of timber for me, because the House that I am about to build will be large and magnificent. ⁹ Now, behold, I will give to your servants, the woodsmen who cut the timber, 20,000 measures^[a] of ground wheat, 20,000 measures of barley, 20,000 vats of wine and 20,000 vats^[b] of oil.”

¹⁰ Then King Huram of Tyre, replied in a letter that he sent to Solomon, “Because Adonai loves His people, He has made you king over them.” ¹¹ Then Huram continued, “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth. He gave King David a wise son, endowed with insight and understanding, who will build a House for Adonai and a royal house for himself. ¹² So now I am sending Huram-abi—a skilled man endowed with understanding ¹³ who is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan and whose father was a man from Tyre—a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, in purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to engrave all kinds of engraving, and who can execute any design given to him. He will work with your skilled men and with the skilled men of my lord David your father. ¹⁴ Now let my lord send to his servants the wheat and barley, the oil and wine he has promised ¹⁵ and we will cut as many logs from Lebanon as much as you need, and float them in rafts by sea to Jaffa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem.”

¹⁶ Solomon counted all the foreign men in the land of Israel, like the census that his father David had taken, and 153,600 were found. ¹⁷ He appointed 70,000 of them to carry loads, 80,000 to quarry stones in the mountains, and 3,600 overseers to supervise the people working.

Solomon Builds the Temple in Jerusalem

3 Then Solomon began to build the House of Adonai in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah—where Adonai appeared to his father David—at the place that David prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ² He began to build on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. ³ Now the foundation Solomon laid for the building of the House of God was 60 cubits long and 20 cubits wide, according to the old standard. ⁴ The porch in front of the House along its width was 20 cubits and its height was 120 cubits, and the inside was overlaid with pure gold. ⁵ He paneled the main hall with cypress wood, which he overlaid with fine gold and embossed on it palm trees and chains. ⁶ He adorned the House with precious stones and the gold he used was gold from Parvaim. ⁷ Furthermore He overlaid the beams, thresholds, walls and doors of the House with gold and carved cheruvim on the walls.

⁸ He made the Holy of Holies, its length corresponding to the width of the House—20 cubits long and 20 cubits wide. He overlaid it with 600 talents of fine gold. ⁹ The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold. ¹⁰ Next he made two sculptured cheruvim in the Holy of Holies and overlaid them with gold. ¹¹ The wingspan of the cheruvim was 20 cubits. One wing of the first cheruv was five cubits long and touched the wall of the House, while the other wing, also five cubits long, touched the wing of the other cheruv. ¹² Similarly, one wing of the second cheruv was five cubits long and touched the wall of the House, while the other wing, also five cubits long, touched the wing of the other cheruv. ¹³ Thus the wingspan of these cheruvim was 20 cubits. They stood on their feet facing the main hall. ¹⁴ Furthermore, he made the veil of blue, purple, crimson yarn and fine linen with cheruvim worked into it.

¹⁵ In the front of the House he made two pillars 35 cubits high, each with a capital on the top measuring five cubits. ¹⁶ He made interwoven chains for the inner Sanctuary and put them on top of the pillars. He also made 100 pomegranates and attached them to the chains. ¹⁷ He erected the pillars in front of the Temple, one to the south and the other to the north. The one to the south he named Jachin and the one to the north Boaz.

The Temple Furnishings

4 Moreover, he made a bronze altar 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide and ten cubits high. ² He also made the Sea of cast metal ten cubits across from brim to brim, perfectly round. It was five cubits high and its circumference was 30 cubits.

³ Beneath it, figures like bulls were set all around it, ten cubits encircling the Sea. The bulls were in two rows, cast in one piece with it. ⁴ The Sea stood on 12 bulls, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested upon them and their hindquarters were all turned inward. ⁵ It was a handbreadth thick, and the brim was like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It held 3,000 vats. ⁶ He also made ten basins for washing and placed five on the right side and five on the left. In them the items used for the burnt offering were rinsed, but the kohanim washed in “the Sea”.

⁷ Next he made the ten menorot^[c] of gold in the manner prescribed for them and set them in the Temple, five on the right hand and five on the left. ⁸ He also made ten tables and placed them in the Temple, five on the right side and five on the left. He also made 100 gold bowls.

⁹ Then he made the courtyard of the kohanim and the great courtyard and doors for the courtyard. He overlaid the doors with bronze. ¹⁰ He set the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner.

¹¹ Huram also made the pots, the shovels and the bowls. So Huram-abi finished the work that he had undertaken for King Solomon in the House of God: ¹² the two pillars, the bowls and the two capitals on the top of the pillars, and the two lattice-works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, ¹³ and the 400 pomegranates for the two lattice-works (two rows of pomegranates for each lattice-work to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars). ¹⁴ He also made the stands, the basins upon the stands, ¹⁵ and the one Sea with the 12 bulls under it, ¹⁶ as well as the pots, the shovels and the meat hooks. All the utensils Huram-abi made for King Solomon for the House of Adonai were of polished bronze. ¹⁷ The king had them cast with clay earth from the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zeredah. ¹⁸ Solomon made all these utensils in such great quantities that the weight of the bronze could not be determined.

¹⁹ Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in the House of God, including the golden altar, the tables on which was the Bread of Presence, ²⁰ the menorot with their lamps of pure gold to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed ²¹ with the flowers and the lamps and the tongs of gold, the purest gold, ²² and the snuffers, the bowls, the spoons and the fire-pans of pure gold, and the doors of the House—the inner doors for the Holy of Holies and the doors of the House, that is, the Temple—were of gold.

5 When all the work that Solomon undertook for the House of Adonai was finished, Solomon brought in the things David his father consecrated—the silver, gold and all the furnishings—and put them in the treasuries of the House of God.

Consecration of the Temple

² Then Solomon gathered to Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the patriarchal leaders of Bnei-Yisrael, in order to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai from the city of David, which is Zion. ³ All the men of Israel gathered together to the king at the feast that is in the seventh month.

⁴ So all the elders of Israel came and the Levites took up the Ark ⁵ and brought up the Ark and the Tent of Meeting along with all the sacred furnishings that were in the Tent. The Levitical kohanim brought them up. ⁶ Meanwhile, King Solomon and the entire congregation of Israel who gathered with him before the Ark, were sacrificing so many sheep and bulls that they could not be counted or numbered.

⁷ The kohanim brought in the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai to its place, into the inner Sanctuary of the House, into the Holy of Holies under the wings of the cheruvim. ⁸ The cheruvim spread their wings over the place of the Ark so that the cheruvim covered the Ark and its poles from above. ⁹ Now the poles were so long that the ends of the poles extending from the Ark could be seen in front of the inner Sanctuary, though they could not be seen from outside; and they are there to this day. ¹⁰ There was nothing in the Ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed there at Horeb, where Adonai made a covenant with Bnei-Yisrael when they came out of Egypt.

God’s Glory Fills the Temple

¹¹ And it came to pass, when the kohanim came out of the Holy Place—for all the kohanim that were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to divisions— ¹² all the Levite singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, their sons and their relatives—dressed in fine linen with cymbals, harps and lyres, were standing at the east end of the altar and with them were 120 kohanim blowing trumpets. ¹³ Then it came to pass that when the trumpeters and singers joined as one to extol and praise Adonai, and when the sound of the trumpets, cymbals and musical instruments and the praise of Adonai—“For He is good, for His mercy endures forever”—grew louder, the Temple, the House of Adonai, was filled with a cloud. ¹⁴ The kohanim could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of Adonai filled the House of God.

Adonai Has Chosen Jerusalem

6 Then Solomon declared, “Adonai has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud; ² I have built You a magnificent House and a place for You to dwell forever.”

³ Then, while all the congregation of Israel was standing the king turned his face and blessed the whole congregation of Israel. ⁴ He said: “Blessed be Adonai, the God of Israel, who with His hands has fulfilled what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying: ⁵ ‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a House that My Name might be there. Nor did I choose any man to be a leader over My people Israel. ⁶ But I have chosen Jerusalem that My Name would abide there and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

⁷ “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel. ⁸ But Adonai said to David my father: ‘As for you wanting in your heart to build a House for My Name, you did well that this was in your heart. ⁹ Nevertheless, you will not build the House. Rather your son who will be born to you, he will build the House for My Name.’

¹⁰ “Now Adonai has confirmed His promise that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, just as Adonai promised, and I have built the House for the Name of Adonai, the God of Israel. ¹¹ There have I set the Ark in which is the Covenant of Adonai that He made with Bnei-Yisrael.”

Solomon’s Prayer

¹² Then he stood before the altar of Adonai in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread forth his hands. ¹³ For Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high and placed it in the midst of the court. He stood on it and knelt down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven ¹⁴ and he said,

“Adonai, God of Israel, there is no God like You in the heavens or in the earth, keeping covenant and showing mercy to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart. ¹⁵ You have kept the promise You made to Your servant David, my father. Surely you spoke with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand—as it is today.

¹⁶ “Now therefore, Adonai, God of Israel, keep for Your servant David, my father, that which You have promised him saying:

‘For you will never be cut off, you will not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne—if only your sons pay attention to their way, to walk in My Torah as you have walked before Me.’^[d]

¹⁷ “Now therefore, Adonai God of Israel, let Your word, which You spoke to Your servant David, be confirmed.

¹⁸ “But will God indeed dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold—heaven even the highest heaven—cannot contain You. How much less this House that I have built! ¹⁹ Yet attend to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, Adonai my God, to hear the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You ²⁰ that Your eyes may be open toward this House day and night, toward the place where You have said You would put Your Name there, to listen to the prayer which Your servant will pray toward this place. ²¹ Hear the supplications of Your servant and Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven, and when You hear, forgive.

²² “If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this House, ²³ then hear from heaven and act. Judge Your servants, repaying the wicked by bringing down on his own head what he has done and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.^[e]

²⁴ “If Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, yet when they return and confess Your Name, praying and making supplication before You in this House, ²⁵ then hear from heaven, forgive the sin of Your people Israel and bring them back to the land which You gave to them and to their fathers.

²⁶ “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, if they pray toward this place and confess Your Name, turning from their sin because You afflicted them, ²⁷ then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel. Indeed may You teach them the good way in which they should walk. Send rain upon Your land that You have given to Your people for an inheritance.

²⁸ “When there is famine in the land, when there is pestilence, blight, mildew, locust or grasshopper, when their enemies besiege them in the land by their gates, whatever plague or sickness may come, ²⁹ and any prayer or plea is offered by any individual or by all Your people Israel—each acknowledging his own afflictions and pain, even spreading his hands toward this House— ³⁰ then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place and forgive. May You give to every man according to all his ways, as You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of the children of men— ³¹ so that they will fear You and walk in Your ways all the days that they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.

³² “Moreover, concerning the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but comes from a distant land for the sake of Your great Name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this House, ³³ then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place and do whatever the foreigner asks of You. Then all the peoples of the earth will acknowledge Your Name and revere You, as Your people Israel do, and they will know that this House which I have built is called by Your Name.

³⁴ “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and they pray to You toward this city that You have chosen and the House that I have built for Your Name, ³⁵ then hear from heaven their prayer and their petition, and uphold their cause.

³⁶ When they sin against You—for there is no man that does not sin^[f]—and You become angry with them and hand them over to the enemy who takes them captive to a land far off or near, ³⁷ when they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and they repent and seek You in the land of their captivity saying,

‘We have sinned,

we have committed inquity,

we have acted wickedly,’

³⁸ “and they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken captive, and they pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers and the city which You have chosen and toward the House which I have built for Your Name, ³⁹ then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and their petitions and uphold their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.

⁴⁰ “Now my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open, and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.

Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret

7 Now when Solomon finished praying the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of Adonai filled the House. ² The kohanim could not even enter into the House of Adonai because the glory of Adonai filled the House of Adonai. ³ When all Bnei-Yisrael saw the fire come down and the glory of Adonai above the House, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, prostrating themselves and praising Adonai,

⁴ Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before Adonai. ⁵ King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the House of God. ⁶ The kohanim stood at their posts, as did the Levites with the musical instruments of Adonai that King David had made for praising Adonai—“for His mercy endures forever”—whenever David offered praise by their hand. Opposite them were the kohanim who sounded trumpets while all Israel was standing.

⁷ Moreover, Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard that was before the House of Adonai, because there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to contain the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat. ⁸ At that time, Solomon observed the feast for seven days and all Israel with him—a very great assembly from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt.

⁹ On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the feast for seven days. ¹⁰ On the 23 rd day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Adonai had done for David, Solomon and Israel His people.