Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 2:1
Now Solomon purposed to build a house for the Name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon declares his intention to construct a temple for Yahweh and a royal residence for himself. This statement occurs at the planning stage, immediately preceding the mobilization of laborers described in the following verse.
The words — The text employs בַּ֙יִת (ba.yit), meaning a house or building, and שֵׁם (Shem), meaning name, to specify the two structures. These terms anchor the narrative in concrete architectural objectives rather than abstract concepts.
The thread — This planning phase aligns with the promise in 1 Chronicles 22:10 that Solomon would build a house for God’s Name. It also fulfills the directive in Deuteronomy 12:5 to establish a dwelling at the chosen location, a parallel recorded in 1 Kings 5:5.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to note that large-scale religious and political projects begin with explicit declarations of purpose. It establishes that resource allocation and labor conscription follow a stated architectural plan.
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 Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the Lord, and an house for his kingdom.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 5:5 So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’
- 1 Chronicles 22:10 He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
- Deuteronomy 12:5 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.
- Deuteronomy 12:11 then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 28:58 If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God—
- 1 Kings 7:1 Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace.
- 1 Kings 8:18 But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.
- 1 Kings 8:20 Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
- 1 Kings 9:1 Now when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all that he had desired to do,
- Matthew 6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.