1. David called a meeting in Jerusalem for all Israel's leaders, including the tribal leaders, the government officials, the army commanders, the officials in charge of the royal property and livestock, the palace officials, and the brave warriors.
2. After everyone was there, David stood up and said:Listen to me, my people. I wanted to build a place where the sacred chest would be kept, so we could go there and worship the Lord our God. I have prepared all the supplies for building a temple,
3. but the Lord has refused to let me build it, because he said I have killed too many people in battle.
4. The Lord God chose Judah to be the leading tribe in Israel. Then from Judah, he chose my father's family, and from that family, he chose me to be the king of Israel, and he promised that my descendants will also rule as kings.
5. The Lord has blessed me with many sons, but he chose my son Solomon to be the next king of Israel.
6. The Lord said to me, “Your son Solomon will build my temple, and it will honour me. Solomon will be like a son to me, and I will be like a father to him.