[¹] According to another reading, My son, as for me &c.
7. said to Solomon his son] So Kethīb; the margin, said to Solomon, My son, follows the Ḳerī.
unto the name] Compare Deuteronomy xii. 5; 2 Samuel vii. 13.
⁸But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight:
8. Thou hast shed blood abundantly] Compare xxviii. 3; in 1 Kings v. 3 Solomon tells Hiram that David wished to build a temple, but was hindered from his design by war.
⁹behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon[¹], and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days:
[¹] That is, Peaceful.
9. I will give him rest] Compare 1 Kings v. 4. The promise here made is of a period of peace sufficiently long for the work of Temple-building. Solomon’s reign was not wholly peaceful; compare 1 Kings xi. 14, 23, 26.
¹⁰he shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. ¹¹Now, my son, the Lord be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken concerning thee. ¹²Only the Lord give thee discretion and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel; that so thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God.
10. for ever] Compare 2 Samuel vii. 13–16.