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1 Chronicles

Retells some stories from Samuel and Kings, focusing on King David and the importance of worship.

Chapter 22

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1 Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.

*Then David declared, "This place is for God's house, and this altar is for burning sacrifices for Israel."

2 And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

*David ordered the gathering of foreigners living in Israel, then he had skilled stoneworkers to cut and shape stones for building God's house.

3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

*David made lots of iron nails for the gates' doors and their connections, and also plenty of brass that didn't need to be weighed.

4 Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

*Cedar trees were plentiful for the people of Zidon and Tyre, who gave lots of cedar wood to David.

5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

*David said, "Solomon, my young son, will build a great house for God. It should be famous and glorious everywhere. I'll prepare it before I die." So, David made lots of preparations before he passed away.

6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

*Then he asked for Solomon, his son, and told him to build a house for God, the Lord of Israel.

7 And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:

*David told Solomon, "My son, I wanted to build a place for praying to God."

8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

*But God told me, "You've caused a lot of death and fought many big battles. So, you can't build a house for me because you've killed a lot of people while I watched.

9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

*Look, you'll have a son who will bring peace. I will protect him from all his enemies. His name will be Solomon, and during his time, Israel will have peace and calm.

10 He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

*He will create a place for my name; and he will be like my child, and I will be like his parent; and I will secure his kingdom's throne over Israel forever.

11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

*Now, my son, may the Lord be with you. Be successful and build the Lord's house, just as He has promised you.

12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

*Only the Lord gives you wisdom and understanding to lead Israel according to the Lord's laws.

13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

*If you follow the rules and commands that God gave Moses for Israel, you will do well. Be brave and confident; don't fear or be afraid.

14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

*Now, see, in my difficulty, I have gotten ready for God's house a hundred thousand gold talents and a thousand thousand silver talents; along with unlimited amounts of bronze and iron; plus lots of wood and stones; and you can add more to it if you want.

15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

*In addition, you have many skilled workers with you, including those who cut stone and wood, as well as people with various talents for different tasks.

16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

*From all the gold, silver, bronze, and iron, there's no count. So get moving and do something; the Lord will be with you.

17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,

*David asked all the important people in Israel to assist Solomon, his son, by telling them to.

18 Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.

*Isn't God with you? Hasn't He given you peace all around? For He has handed over the people in the land to me, and the land now obeys both God and His people.

19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

*Set your heart and soul on finding God. Get up and build a special place for God's sacred items, like the Ark and holy objects. Do this for the house made in God's name.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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