Study 1 Chronicles 28 and David's charge to Solomon, revealing God's divine plan for the temple and the call to courage.
The twenty-eighth chapter of 1 Chronicles records one of the most significant moments in David's reign. David gathered all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem and delivered a final charge to his son Solomon. The chapter reveals that the temple was not a human invention but a divine design, and that Solomon's task was to build according to God's pattern. David's charge was a call to courage, obedience, and wholehearted devotion.
David assembled the princes, the mighty men, the officers, and all the leaders of Israel. He declared that God had chosen Solomon to build the temple and that he had prepared the materials for the work. David then gave Solomon the plans for the temple, including the measurements for the porch, the treasuries, the upper rooms, and the mercy seat. The plans were given by the Spirit of the Lord, demonstrating that the temple was a divine design.
David charged Solomon to be strong and courageous and to do the work. He exhorted him to keep the commandments of the Lord and to seek Him with all his heart. David declared that if Solomon sought the Lord, He would be found, but if he forsook Him, he would be cast off forever. The chapter reveals that the work of God requires courage, obedience, and wholehearted devotion, and that God's plan for the temple was a demonstration of His grace and faithfulness.
David's Assembly of the Leaders
The Gathering of All Israel
And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 28:1). David gathered all the leaders of the nation. The assembly included the princes of the tribes, the military commanders, the stewards of the king's property, the officers, and the mighty men. The gathering was a demonstration of national unity and commitment to the work of God. The presence of all the leaders indicated that the temple was a national project, not merely a personal ambition of David.
David's Address to the Assembly
Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building (1 Chronicles 28:2). David stood before the assembly and declared his desire to build the temple. He had prepared the materials for the building. The desire was not a selfish ambition but a longing to honor God with a permanent dwelling.
But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood (1 Chronicles 28:3). David repeated the reason for the refusal. 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. God's refusal was not a rejection of David's devotion but a redirection of his zeal. The lesson for believers is that God's ways and timing are different from human plans.
The Divine Choice of Solomon
The Election of David and Judah
Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel (1 Chronicles 28:4). David acknowledged God's sovereign choice. God had chosen Judah to be the ruler (Genesis 49:10). God had chosen David's house from among the tribe of Judah. God had chosen David from among his father's sons. The election was a demonstration of God's grace and faithfulness.
The Choice of Solomon
And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel (1 Chronicles 28:5). David declared that God had chosen Solomon to be his successor. Solomon was not the firstborn, but God had chosen him. God's choice was a demonstration of His sovereignty and grace. The lesson for believers is that God's choice is not based on human merit but on divine purpose.
And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father (1 Chronicles 28:6). God declared that Solomon would build the temple. The father-son relationship was a covenant blessing and pointed forward to the perfect relationship between the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. The promise was a reaffirmation of the Davidic covenant.
The Condition of Obedience
Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day (1 Chronicles 28:7). The promise of an eternal kingdom was conditional on Solomon's obedience. The condition was a call to faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. The lesson for believers is that obedience is essential for receiving God's blessings.
Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever (1 Chronicles 28:8). David exhorted the people to keep the commandments of the Lord. The obedience of the people was essential for the preservation of the land and the inheritance for future generations.
David's Charge to Solomon
The Exhortation to Serve God
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever (1 Chronicles 28:9). David exhorted Solomon to know God and to serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. The call to know God was a call to relationship and intimate knowledge. The service required a perfect heart and a willing mind, indicating wholehearted devotion.
The warning was clear: if Solomon sought the Lord, He would be found, but if he forsook Him, he would be cast off forever. The warning was a reminder that the blessings of the covenant were conditional on obedience. The lesson for believers is the importance of wholehearted devotion and the danger of forsaking God.
The Call to Courage
Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it (1 Chronicles 28:10). David exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous. The work of building the temple was a great undertaking. The call to courage was a call to faith and trust in God's promises. 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).
The Divine Plan for the Temple
The Pattern of the Temple
Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat (1 Chronicles 28:11). David gave Solomon the plans for the temple. The plans included the porch, the houses, the treasuries, the upper chambers, the inner parlors, and the mercy seat. The pattern was given by the Spirit of the Lord, demonstrating that the temple was a divine design.
And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things (1 Chronicles 28:12). The plans were given by the Spirit. The Spirit of God guided David in the design of the temple. The temple was not a human invention but a divine revelation. The lesson for believers is that the work of God must be done according to His pattern.
The Divisions of the Priests and Levites
Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD (1 Chronicles 28:13). David gave Solomon the plans for the organization of the priests and Levites. The courses and the service were to be conducted according to the divine pattern. The work of the temple was not to be done haphazardly but with order and precision.
The Vessels of the Temple
He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service (1 Chronicles 28:14). David gave Solomon the plans for the vessels of the temple. The vessels were to be made of gold and silver. The weight of the vessels was specified. The exactness of the specifications demonstrated the importance of following the divine pattern. The lesson for believers is to serve God with excellence and precision.
The Divine Origin of the Plans
All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern (1 Chronicles 28:19). David declared that the plans were given by the Lord. The Lord made him understand the pattern. The phrase by his hand upon me indicates divine revelation. The plans were not a human invention but a divine design. The lesson for believers is that the work of God must be done according to His revelation.
The Final Encouragement
The Reassurance of God's Presence
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD (1 Chronicles 28:20). David reassured Solomon of God's presence. The Lord would be with him and would not fail him or forsake him. The promise of God's presence was the foundation for courage and strength. The lesson for believers is to trust in God's presence in the work of God. The writer of Hebrews writes: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
The Availability of Workers
And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment (1 Chronicles 28:21). David assured Solomon that the priests, Levites, skilled workers, princes, and people would support him in the work. The work would not be done alone but with the help of the entire nation. The lesson for believers is to work together in the service of God. The apostle Paul writes: For we are labourers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9).
Lessons from 1 Chronicles 28
The Importance of Divine Guidance
David received the plans for the temple by divine revelation. The Spirit of God guided him in the design. The lesson for believers is the importance of seeking divine guidance in the work of God. The apostle Paul writes: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).
The Necessity of Courage and Obedience
David exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous and to obey the commandments of the Lord. The work of God requires courage and obedience. 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).
The Promise of God's Presence
David reassured Solomon of God's presence. The Lord would be with him and would not fail him or forsake him. The lesson for believers is to trust in God's presence in the work of God. The writer of Hebrews writes: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
The Value of Preparation
David had prepared the materials for the temple and had given Solomon the plans. The preparation was a demonstration of David's devotion and his commitment to the work of God. The lesson for believers is to prepare for the work of God and to use their resources for His glory.
Connections to Scripture
The Pattern of the Tabernacle
The plans for the temple connected to the pattern of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was built according to the pattern shown to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:40). The temple was built according to the pattern shown to David by the Spirit. The lesson for believers is to follow the divine pattern for worship.
The Davidic Covenant
The chapter connected to the Davidic covenant. God promised that Solomon would build the temple and that David's throne would be established forever (1 Chronicles 17:11-14). The covenant pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah, the Son of David.
The New Testament Application
The temple points forward to the church, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 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 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20).
Conclusion
The twenty-eighth chapter of 1 Chronicles records David's charge to Solomon and the divine plan for the temple. David assembled all the leaders of Israel and declared that God had chosen Solomon to build the temple. He gave Solomon the plans for the temple, which were given by the Spirit of the Lord. He exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous and to keep the commandments of the Lord.
David's example of preparing for the temple teaches believers the importance of divine guidance and preparation. He received the plans by the Spirit and prepared the materials for the work. The lesson for believers is to seek divine guidance and to prepare for the work of God. The temple was not a human invention but a divine design, and the work of God must be done according to His pattern.
The promise of God's presence is the foundation for courage and strength. David reassured Solomon that the Lord would be with him and would not fail him or forsake him. The lesson for believers is to trust in God's presence in the work of God. The chapter calls believers to seek divine guidance, to be strong and courageous, and to trust in God's presence in the work of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did David give Solomon the plans for the temple?
David gave Solomon the plans for the temple because the temple was a divine design, not a human invention. The plans were given by the Spirit of the Lord. David wanted to ensure that Solomon built the temple according to God's pattern. The plans included the measurements for the porch, the treasuries, the upper rooms, and the mercy seat. The exactness of the specifications demonstrated the importance of following the divine pattern.
2. What was the condition of God's promise to establish Solomon's kingdom?
The promise of an eternal kingdom was conditional on Solomon's obedience. David declared that God would establish Solomon's kingdom forever if he was constant to do God's commandments and judgments (1 Chronicles 28:7). The condition was a call to faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. The lesson for believers is that obedience is essential for receiving God's blessings.
3. How did David receive the plans for the temple?
David received the plans for the temple by divine revelation. He declared that the Lord made him understand in writing by His hand upon him, even all the works of this pattern (1 Chronicles 28:19). The plans were not a human invention but a divine design. The Spirit of God guided David in the design of the temple.
4. What did David exhort Solomon to do?
David exhorted Solomon to know God and to serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. He exhorted him to be strong and courageous and to do the work. He warned him that if he sought the Lord, He would be found, but if he forsook Him, he would be cast off forever. The exhortation was a call to wholehearted devotion and obedience.
5. How does the temple in 1 Chronicles 28 point forward to the church?
The temple in 1 Chronicles 28 points forward to the church, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 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 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). The temple was a shadow of the greater temple that God would build through His Son, Jesus Christ.
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