The Hebrew expresses first what Solomon intended to do and then states that this is in agreement with what the LORD had told David that Solomon would do.
And so I purpose to build a house is literally “and here I am to say to build a house.” The Hebrew expression “to say to build” means “I intend to build.” Most translations do not translate the Hebrew word meaning “here I am.” Chouraqui is an exception with Me voici (“Here I am”). The presence of this Hebrew word adds emphasis to the words that follow, and if the receptor language has some means of imitating this feature of the Hebrew, it should do so. Compare De Vries: “So look, I am proposing to build a temple.”
For the name of the LORD: See the comments on this phrase in verse 3.
As the LORD said to David my father is literally “as the LORD said to David my father saying.” As in verse 3, the order of the words David my father will depend on what is most natural in the receptor language.
A literal translation of the words whom I will set upon your throne in your place may mistakenly suggest that God intended for David’s son to overthrow him. It may be better to say something like “whom I will make king after you” (Good News Translation) or “whom I shall place on your throne to succeed you” (New Jerusalem Bible).
A rather radical restructuring of the elements in this verse may be appropriate in some languages. As noted above, the Hebrew speaks of Solomon’s intentions first and then gives the background for his desire to build the Temple. Good News Translation reorders this so that the background information is given first and then the statement of intention comes at the end of the verse.
It will also be necessary in some languages to transform the embedded quotation to an indirect one; for example:
• The LORD promised my father David that he would make me, his son, become king of Israel after him and that I would build a temple for the LORD.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .