1 Kings 8:18

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

But Jehovah said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart:

Bible in Basic English

But the Lord said to David my father, You did well to have in your heart the desire to make a house for my name;

Free Bible Version

But the Lord told my father David, ‘You had the desire to build a Temple to honor me, and it was good that you really wanted to do this.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the Lord said vnto Dauid my father, Where as it was in thine heart to build an house vnto my Name, thou diddest well, that thou wast so minded:

King James (Authorized) Version

And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

Translation for Translators

But Yahweh said to him, ‘You have wanted to build a temple for me, and what you wanted to do was good.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart.

Noah Webster Bible

And the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house to my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart.

World English Bible

But Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Young's Literal Translation

and Jehovah saith unto David my father, Because that it hath been with thy heart to build a house for My name, thou hast done well that it hath been with thy heart;

Context

Solomon Blesses the LORD

¹⁷Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.¹⁸But 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.¹⁹Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

Summary

In this verse, King Solomon expresses humility and awe before God as he acknowledges that the temple he built is insufficient to contain the greatness of God. Solomon recognizes that even the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain God, let alone a mere earthly structure. This verse highlights the vastness and majesty of God, emphasizing His transcendence over all creation and human endeavors. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of human efforts in comparison to the infinite nature of God's presence and glory.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the Lord said unto David my father,.... By Nathan the prophet: whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart; his design was good, and so far it was acceptable to the Lord, that he thought of such a thing, though it was not his pleasure that should do it, as follows.