In this chapter, David confirms his son’s (Solomon’s) responsibility in building the Temple of the Lord. He informed him that the Lord chose him to carry out this duty. Here’s the chapter in its entirety:
“Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!”
Preparations for the Temple
So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing blocks of stone for building the Temple of God. David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than they could ever weigh. He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David. David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced, and the Temple of the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world. So I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.
Then David sent for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. “I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God,” David told him. “But the Lord said to me, ‘You have killed many men in the great battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood before me, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name. But you will have a son who will experience peace and rest. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a Temple to honor 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.’ (Wow! God, you are so good!)
Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success as you follow his instructions in building the Temple of the Lord your God. And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel. For if you carefully obey the laws and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart! (This is interesting. Notice that David prayed for wisdom and understanding for Solomon. As a result, that seed had been planted in Solomon, and when God asked Solomon what he desired in 1 Kings 3:5, Solomon asked God for that same wisdom and understanding. The Lord was so pleased with his request, the Lord granted his wish and gave him the things he didn’t ask for, wealth and honor. To this day, Solomon is known as the wisest and wealthiest person to walk the earth. Lord, you are amazing!)
I have worked hard to provide materials for building the Temple of the Lord – nearly four thousand tons of gold, nearly forty thousand tons of silver, and so much iron and bronze that it cannot be weighed. I have also gathered lumber and stone for the walls, though you may need to add more. You have many skilled stonemasons and carpenters and craftsmen of every kind available to you. They are expert goldsmiths and silversmiths and workers of bronze and iron. Now begin the work, and may the Lord be with you!”
Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to assist Solomon in this project. “The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the Lord and his people. Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart. Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the Lord’s name.” (1 Chronicles 22)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us open our bibles and read your instructions, so that we can gain knowledge and wisdom. Help us desire discernment to add to the wisdom we are learning through your Word. And help us be strong and courageous...never losing heart, knowing you are with us if we seek you continuously! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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