2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, fI had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for gthe footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, hThou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed †blood. 4 Howbeit the Lord God of Israel ichose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel jfor ever: for he hath chosen iJudah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, kthe house of my father; and lamong the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 5 mAnd of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) nhe hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of othe kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 And he said unto me, pSolomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom jfor ever, qif he be †constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. 8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you jfor ever. 9 And thou, Solomon my son, rknow thou the God of thy father, and serve him with sa perfect heart and with a willing mind: for tthe Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth uall the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but vif thou forsake him, he will wcast thee off for ever. 10 Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: wwbe strong, and do it.