When he felt that death was approaching, the burden of David's heart was still for Solomon and for the kingdom of Israel, whose prosperity must so largely depend upon the fidelity of her king. "And he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man; and keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, . . . that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: that the Lord may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said He) a man on the throne of Israel." 1 Kings 2:1-4. 754

Alle de tilstedeværende reagerede positivt på hans appel. "Da kom øversterne for fædrenehusene, øversterne for Israels stammer, tusind og hundredførerne og øversterne i kongens tjeneste frivilligt og gav til arbejdet på Guds hus 5000 talenter og 10.000 darejker guld, 10.000 talenter sølv, 18.000 talenter kobber og 100.000 talenter jern; og de, som ejede ædelsten, gav dem til Herrens huses skat ..... Og folket glædede sig over deres vilje til at give, thi af et helt hjerte gav de Herren frivillige gaver; også kong David følte stor glæde."