Study 1 Chronicles 22 and David's preparation for the temple, revealing God's guidance and the transfer of vision to the next generation.
The twenty-second chapter of 1 Chronicles records David's extensive preparations for the building of the temple. David had been forbidden to build the house of the Lord because he was a man of war who had shed blood. Yet his heart remained devoted to the project, and he dedicated his remaining years to gathering materials and organizing the work. The chapter reveals that God's guidance often involves preparation for future generations.
David declared that the temple of the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, renowned, and glorious in all lands. He began to gather materials in abundance: gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, and stone. He also appointed stonecutters and craftsmen to prepare the materials for construction. David gave Solomon, his son and successor, detailed instructions about the building of the temple. He charged Solomon to be strong and courageous and to do the work.
The chapter also records David's organization of the Levites and priests for the service of the temple. He assigned the Levites to their duties and established the order of worship. The preparations were a demonstration of David's devotion to God and his commitment to ensuring that the temple would be built to the glory of the Lord. The chapter demonstrates that God's guidance often involves preparation for the next generation and that the work of God is passed from one generation to the next.
David's Preparation of Materials
The Declaration of David
Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel (1 Chronicles 22:1). The temple was to be the central place of worship for the nation. The altar of burnt offering was the place where sacrifices would be offered for the sins of the people. David's declaration marked the site where the temple would be built, the threshing floor of Ornan.
The Gathering of Materials
And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God (1 Chronicles 22:2). The strangers were resident aliens who lived in Israel. David employed them as stonecutters and laborers. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight (1 Chronicles 22:3). The iron and bronze were used for the structural elements of the temple. The phrase without weight indicates that the quantity was so great that it was not measured.
Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David (1 Chronicles 22:4). The cedar wood came from the forests of Lebanon, which were renowned for their quality. Hiram king of Tyre had sent cedar logs to David for his palace, and David continued the relationship to gather materials for the temple. The gathering of materials was a demonstration of David's devotion. He spared no expense and left no detail unattended.
The Magnificence of the Temple
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death (1 Chronicles 22:5). David recognized that the temple must be magnificent because it was the dwelling place of God. The word magnifical means exceedingly great, splendid, and glorious. The temple was to be a witness to the nations of the greatness of the God of Israel.
The preparation was a labor of love. David had not been permitted to build the temple, but he could prepare for it. He gathered the materials and organized the work so that Solomon would have everything he needed. The lesson for believers is to use their resources for the service of God and to prepare for the work of future generations.
David's Instructions to Solomon
The Charge to Build
Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel (1 Chronicles 22:6). David gave Solomon a solemn charge to build the temple. The charge was a commission and an obligation. Solomon was to carry out the work that David had prepared. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God (1 Chronicles 22:7). David expressed his own desire to build the temple. The desire was not fulfilled, but it was transferred to Solomon.
The Reason for the Refusal
But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight (1 Chronicles 22:8). God refused David's request because he was a man of war who had shed blood. The temple was to be a house of peace, and it was fitting that a man of peace would build it. Solomon, whose name means peace, would be the builder.
God's refusal was not a rejection of David's devotion. David's heart was right, but the time and circumstances were not appropriate. The lesson for believers is that God's timing and ways are different from human plans. Not every good intention is God's will, and sometimes God redirects our plans to fulfill His purposes through others.
The Promise of Peace
But a son shall be born unto thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days (1 Chronicles 22:9). Solomon would be a man of rest, a king of peace. The name Solomon means peaceable, and his reign would be characterized by peace. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever (1 Chronicles 22:10). The promise of an eternal throne was repeated. Solomon would build the temple, and his dynasty would be established forever.
The promise of peace and the eternal throne pointed forward to the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ. Christ is the Prince of Peace, and His kingdom is everlasting. The temple that Solomon built was a shadow of the greater temple that Christ would build.
The Exhortation to Courage
Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee (1 Chronicles 22:11). David prayed that the Lord would be with Solomon and prosper him in the work. Only the LORD can make the builder fit for the building. The prosperity of the work depended on the presence of God.
Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God (1 Chronicles 22:12). David prayed for wisdom and understanding for Solomon. The ability to lead and to build required divine wisdom. Solomon would later ask for wisdom, and God would grant his request (1 Kings 3:5-14).
Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed (1 Chronicles 22:13). The exhortation to be strong and courageous echoed the words of Moses to Joshua (Joshua 1:6-7). The success of the work depended on obedience to God's commands. The call to courage was a call to faith and trust in God's promises.
The Provision for the Temple
The Abundance of Materials
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto (1 Chronicles 22:14). David's "trouble" refers to his wars and the difficulties of his reign. Yet in the midst of his troubles, he prepared for the temple. The quantity of gold and silver was immense. David had gathered the spoils of war and the tribute of nations to provide for the work.
The gold and silver were to be used for the furnishings and overlay of the temple. The bronze and iron were for the structural elements. The timber and stone were for the building itself. David's generosity was a model of sacrificial giving. The lesson for believers is to give generously for the work of God and to use their resources for His glory.
The Availability of Workers
Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work (1 Chronicles 22:15). Solomon had an abundance of workers available for the task. The workmen were skilled in every kind of work. Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee (1 Chronicles 22:16). The call to arise and be doing was a call to action. The work was ready, the materials were gathered, and the workers were available. Solomon needed only to begin.
The Organization of the Levites
The Command to the Princes
David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people (1 Chronicles 22:17-18). David commanded the leaders of Israel to support Solomon in the work. The command was based on God's faithfulness. God had given them rest and had subdued the land before them. The evidence of God's blessing should motivate them to serve Him.
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:19). The call to seek the Lord was a call to wholehearted devotion. The building of the sanctuary was the expression of their devotion. The work was not merely a construction project but an act of worship.
Lessons from 1 Chronicles 22
The Importance of Preparation
David's extensive preparation for the temple teaches believers the importance of preparing for the work of God. David gathered materials, organized workers, and gave instructions so that the work could proceed without delay. The lesson for believers is to prepare for the work of God and to use their resources for His glory. The apostle Paul writes: Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
The Transfer of Vision
David's vision for the temple was transferred to Solomon. David could not build the temple, but he could prepare for it and pass the vision to the next generation. The lesson for believers is to pass the vision of God's work to the next generation. The psalmist writes: One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts (Psalm 145:4).
The Need for Wisdom
David prayed that Solomon would receive wisdom and understanding. The ability to lead and to build required divine wisdom. The lesson for believers is to seek wisdom from God. The apostle James writes: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).
The Call to Courage
David exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous. The work of God requires courage, and fear can paralyze the servant of God. The lesson for believers is to be strong and courageous in the work of God. The apostle Paul writes: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10).
Connections to Scripture
The Promise to David
The chapter connects to the promise God made to David in 1 Chronicles 17. God promised that David's son would build the temple and that his throne would be established forever. The chapter demonstrates the fulfillment of that promise.
The Typology of Solomon
Solomon is a type of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Solomon built the temple, and Christ builds the spiritual temple of the church. The promise of an eternal throne is fulfilled in Christ, the Son of David.
The New Testament Application
The preparation for the temple points forward to the preparation of the church. The apostle Paul writes: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16). The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and believers are called to build it up.
Conclusion
The twenty-second chapter of 1 Chronicles records David's extensive preparations for the building of the temple. David gathered materials, organized workers, and gave instructions to his son Solomon. He charged Solomon to be strong and courageous and to do the work. The chapter demonstrates that God's guidance often involves preparation for future generations.
David's example of preparation teaches believers the importance of using their resources for the work of God. He gathered materials in abundance and organized the work for the next generation. The lesson for believers is to prepare for the work of God and to pass the vision to the next generation. The preparation for the temple was a demonstration of David's devotion and a model for all who serve God.
The transfer of vision from David to Solomon demonstrates the importance of generational faithfulness. David could not build the temple, but he could prepare for it and pass the vision to his son. The lesson for believers is to raise up the next generation to serve God. The chapter calls believers to prepare for God's work, to seek wisdom, and to be strong and courageous in serving the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did David prepare materials for the temple even though he was not allowed to build it?
David prepared materials for the temple because his heart was devoted to God. He was not permitted to build the temple because he was a man of war, but he could prepare for it. David's preparation was a labor of love and a demonstration of his commitment to the worship of God. He wanted to ensure that Solomon would have everything he needed to complete the work.
2. What does the name Solomon mean, and why is it significant?
The name Solomon means peaceable or peace. Solomon's reign was characterized by peace, and he was a man of rest. The temple was to be built by a man of peace because it was the dwelling place of the God of peace. The name Solomon also points forward to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who would build the spiritual temple of the church.
3. Why did David exhort Solomon to be strong and courageous?
David exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous because the work of building the temple was a great undertaking. The exhortation echoed the words of Moses to Joshua (Joshua 1:6-7). The call to courage was a call to faith and trust in God's promises. The work of God requires courage, and believers must not be afraid to undertake the tasks that God sets before them.
4. What was the significance of the materials gathered for the temple?
The materials gathered for the temple were to be used for the construction and furnishing of the house of God. The gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, and stone were all used in the building. The abundance of the materials reflected the magnificence of the temple and the glory of God. The materials were gathered from the spoils of war and the tribute of nations, demonstrating that all things come from God.
5. How does the preparation for the temple point forward to the church?
The preparation for the temple points forward to the preparation of the church, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. David prepared materials, organized workers, and gave instructions for the building of the temple. Believers are called to build up the church, the body of Christ, using the gifts and resources that God has given them. The temple was a shadow of the greater temple that God would build through His Son, Jesus Christ.
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