1 Chronicles 22:1-19
Preparations for the Temple
1Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God, as well as the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God.
3David provided a large quantity of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with more bronze than could be weighed
4and more cedar logs than could be counted; for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large quantity of cedar logs to David.
5And David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent—famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore I must make preparations for it.” So David made lavish preparations before his death.
6Then David called for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.
7“My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God,
8but this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me.
9But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
10He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.
12Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.
13Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
14Now behold, I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD—100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, and you may add to them.
15You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work—
16in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”
17Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon:
18“Is not the LORD your God with you, and has He not granted you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people.
19Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”
Berean Standard Bible
David declares that the house of the LORD God is to be built at the place where he offered sacrifice. He gathers resident foreigners as stonecutters and prepares iron, bronze, cedar, and great quantities of material for the work.
David explains that he wanted to build the temple, but the LORD told him that he had shed much blood and fought great wars. His son Solomon, a man of peace, will build the house. David's desire is not mocked, yet the assignment is changed because of David's history.
David prepares extensively for work he will not complete. He gathers materials, gives Solomon plans, and tells him to rise and build the sanctuary. He also commands the leaders of Israel to help Solomon keep the LORD's law and seek Him with all their heart and soul.
The temple will be splendid, but its true purpose is worship. David's final charge joins construction to obedience: the leaders are to set their hearts and souls to seek the LORD and build the sanctuary of the LORD so that the ark and holy vessels may be brought there.
Questions
1 Why would Solomon build the temple instead of David?
AnswerDavid had shed much blood and fought great wars, while Solomon would be a man of peace for the work.
2 What did David prepare?
AnswerHe prepared workers, stone, iron, bronze, cedar, and abundant materials for the temple.
3 What did David give Solomon besides materials?
AnswerHe gave him plans, encouragement, and a charge to seek the LORD and obey His law.
4 What did David ask Israel's leaders to do?
AnswerHe asked them to help Solomon and set their hearts and souls to seek the LORD.
What This Means for Us
Some of the most faithful work we do is preparation for a future we will not personally enjoy. David accepts that another person will receive the assignment and still gives himself to making it possible.
A worthy project remains empty if obedience is missing. Whether a household is building a career, ministry, or family tradition, seek God before admiring the structure you hope to leave behind.
Prayer
LORD, give us grace to prepare faithfully for work that may outlast us. Help us receive limits without resentment, encourage those who follow us, and keep worship and obedience at the center of every good undertaking. Amen.