I Kings 8:18 kjv — And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well t…

King James 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.”

— I Kings 8:18, King James Version

What does this verse mean?

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I Kings 8:18 in Other Translations

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I Kings 8 — Context

15

And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

16

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

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.

19

Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

20

And the Lord hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

21

And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

I Kings 8:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
What does I Kings 8:18 say?
I Kings 8:18 in the King James Version reads: “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.”
Where is I Kings 8:18 in the Bible?
I Kings 8:18 is found in the Bible, in the book of I Kings, chapter 8, verse 18.
What translation should I read I Kings 8:18 in?
I Kings 8:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize I Kings 8:18?
I Kings 8:18 reads (KJV): “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.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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