Verse 17. - And it was in the heart of David my father [2 Samuel 7:2; 1 Chronicles 17:1] to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

8:12-21 Solomon encouraged the priests, who were much astonished at the dark cloud. The dark dispensations of Providence should quicken us in fleeing for refuge to the hope of the gospel. Nothing can more reconcile us to them, than to consider what God has said, and to compare his word and works together. Whatever good we do, we must look on it as the performance of God's promise to us, not of our promises to him.And it was in the heart of David my father,.... His mind was disposed to it, his heart was set upon it, he had taken up a resolution:

to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel; for his worship and service, for his honour and glory, 2 Samuel 7:3.