Definition: And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 8:18. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage about obedience and God's plan for Israel. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that David did have a good idea to build a temple for the Lord – a special place where he could worship and express his devotion. God was impressed by this and praised him for it. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto David my father…” - This establishes who is speaking. It’s God, speaking to David, who was the King of Israel. “…whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name…” – This is a key part. "Where it was in your heart" means David had a desire and plan to build something for the Lord. It wasn’t just a random thought; he really wanted to do this. "... thou didst well that it was in thine heart." - This is the crucial part! It means "You were very good/wise/correct in wanting to do this.” God recognized David's desire and praised him for being thoughtful and obedient. What does this mean practically? It’s about obedience: The verse emphasizes that obeying God, even when it’s difficult or not easy, is important. God wants us to be faithful to His commands. It’s about prioritizing God's will: David was showing that he valued God's plan above his own desires. It’s a sign of favor: This act of building a temple shows that God recognized David’s worth and favored him. Important Context (Briefly) This verse comes after a period where David was facing challenges and possibly even being considered a threat to the kingdom. God needed to reaffirm his plan for Israel, and this verse is a way of saying, "You're on the right track!" In short, this verse celebrates David’s thoughtfulness and obedience to God, recognizing that he was prioritizing His will. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 1 Kings 8:18? Connect this verse to a specific event or story in the Bible?