Bible Strands
1 Kings 8:17
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses the assembled elders and congregation of Israel during the dedication of the temple he has just finished constructing.
The words — לְבַ֖ב (leḇāḇ) translates literally as “heart” or inner disposition, paired with לִ/בְנ֣וֹת (libnōṯ) “to build” and בַּ֔יִת (bayiṯ) “a house.” The text states this phrase marks David’s internal resolve rather than a divinely mandated project.
The thread — This same internal resolve is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:2, 1 Chronicles 17:1, and 1 Chronicles 22:7, where David voices his desire to construct a dwelling for God’s presence.
Why it lands — The text records Solomon acknowledging David’s unfulfilled intention to build the temple, shifting focus from human initiative to divine appointment. A reader must note that the desire itself is recorded without endorsement of the action, which God explicitly reserved for Solomon in 1 Kings 8:18.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 7:2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
- 1 Chronicles 17:1 After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”
- 1 Chronicles 22:7 “My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God,
- 1 Chronicles 28:2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,