⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion^(A) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart^(B) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,^(C) he will be found by you; but if you forsake^(D) him, he will reject^(E) you forever.

²⁰ David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous,^(A) and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake^(B) you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.^(C)

¹⁸ They abandoned^(A) the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.^(B) Because of their guilt, God’s anger^(C) came on Judah and Jerusalem.