And David the king said to all the assembly: Having spoken to his son Solomon (recorded in chapter 28), David now turns to speak to the whole assembly of Israel. The common Hebrew conjunction rendered And may be translated “Then” (New International Version, Braun) in this context. The writer refers to David specifically as the king since he speaks here with royal authority.

Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced: The Hebrew says only that God has chosen Solomon, without stating the purpose. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “God has chosen for this work.” However, New Living Translation has “God has chosen to be the next king of Israel.” Both of these additions fit the context and theology of the writer (see 1 Chr 28.5-6). But in this context the Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch rendering more accurately expresses the intended meaning. By using the word alone (literally “one”), David emphasizes that it is Solomon and no one else whom God has chosen. This emphasis is brought out by Revised English Bible, which translates “My son Solomon is the one chosen by God, Solomon alone….” Others say “My son Solomon, the only one whom God has chosen…” (Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). It is also possible to translate the Hebrew as “Solomon, my only son, whom God has chosen…,” but this understanding of the Hebrew grammar is less likely the intended meaning.

For is young and inexperienced, see the comments on 1 Chr 22.5. Nueva Versión Internacional says “still lacks experience,” and New Century Version has “is young and hasn’t yet learned what he needs to know.” This phrase certainly includes Solomon’s lack of experience in political matters but is not necessarily limited to that.

For the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God: Palace translates a Hebrew noun that usually refers to a palace, a citadel, or a fortress (see Est 1.2, where it is rendered “capital”). Here and in verse 19, this noun is apparently used in the sense of “temple,” but with a suggestion of the huge nature of the building project. Perhaps this word was chosen in order to suggest that God is Israel’s real king. New International Version translates “palatial structure” in both verses. Another translation is “castle” (New American Bible). On the basis of similar words in languages related to Hebrew, some interpreters think that the Hebrew noun refers to a complex of buildings, including the Temple, so they say “citadel” (Knoppers), that is, a fortified town. The phrase not for man means “not for people” or “not for human beings.” New Revised Standard Version focuses on the contrast between humans and God, translating “not … for mortals.” For this whole clause New Living Translation has “for the Temple he will build is not just another building–it is for the LORD God himself!” Similarly, Peregrino says “for it is not a matter of building an ordinary house, but a temple for the Lord God.” Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje also provides a good model, saying “because it is not a matter of building a palace where people are going to live, but of a temple for the LORD God.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .