17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 18 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.
17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord 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.
17 "My father David had it in his heart to build a Temple honoring the Name of God, the God of Israel. 18 But God told him 'It was good that you wanted to build a Temple in my honor - most commendable!
17 Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.
17 Then Solomon said, "My father, David, wanted to build this Temple to honor the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord told him, 'You wanted to build the Temple to honor my name. Your intention is good,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 8:17-18
Commentary on 1 Kings 8:12-21
(Read 1 Kings 8:12-21)
Solomon encouraged the priests, who were much astonished at the dark cloud. The dark dispensations of Providence should quicken us in fleeing for refuge to the hope of the gospel. Nothing can more reconcile us to them, than to consider what God has said, and to compare his word and works together. Whatever good we do, we must look on it as the performance of God's promise to us, not of our promises to him.