OVERVIEW: David’s preparation for the construction of the temple; David’s instructions and charge to Solomon; David’s enlisting of the leaders of Israel to support Solomon in the project; the duties of the Levites; the duties assigned to the priests, and to the musicians and singers.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As yesterday’s reading concluded, in 1 Chronicles 21, David had just acquired the threshingfloor of Ornan and had built an altar to offer sacrifices. As chapter 22 begins, David recognizes that this threshingfloor would be the site for temple that he had longed to be able to build for the Lord. Though he was not permitted by the Lord to oversee its actual construction, he was given the incredibly wonderful and joyful privilege of planning and preparing for the building of it.
David realized that at Solomon’s young age (he was approximately 20 at the time), he would need some help in preparing for something of this magnitude and magnificence. (22:5) David said, “The house that is to be builded for the Lord must (Notice, not “should,” but “must!”) be exceeding (and you’ve gotta love this word…) MAGNIFICAL!” Notice again, not just “MAGNIFICAL,” but “EXCEEDING MAGNIFICAL(!!!), of fame and of glory throughout all countries.” (22:5) In other words, “There must not be any structure, anywhere, in any country, on the entire planet, that has the magnificence of the Lord’s house!” David continues in verse 5, “I will therefore now make preparation for it.” It’s as if David is saying, “I may not be able to build it, but I can certainly plan for its magnificence!” Verse 5 concludes with the statement, “So David prepared abundantly before his death.” Note that this verse teaches us a great principle of life: There may be dreams we have in our hearts that God never actually allows us to accomplish, and yet, we may be mightily used of the Lord to joyfully make preparations for someone else (maybe as in David’s case, one of our children, or perhaps, one of our spiritual children!) to accomplish through their life!
In chapter 22, verses 6–13, David explained to Solomon his vision for building the temple, and how that God had reshaped and redirected the vision to be fulfilled through his son. He walks Solomon through what we now refer to as, “The Davidic Covenant,” and charges Solomon with the vision and responsibility for the project, and pronounces his blessing upon him. In 22:14–16, David informs Solomon of all the materials he had already accumulated for the project, and then in 22:17–19, David commands all of the leaders of Israel to get behind Solomon in this glorious and monumental task. The chapter ends with David’s challenge and charge to his son, Solomon, and the leaders of Israel, “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.”
It’s hard to imagine, but in great “Laodicean” fashion, rather than making the admonition of his father to build the temple his first priority, Solomon put his personal interests first, and didn’t even begin the project until the fourth year of his reign! During those four years, however, he began to accumulate quite a barrage of chariots, horses, not to mention wives! (See 2 Chron. 1:14; 3:1–2; 1 Kings 10:26–11:4) God had clearly prohibited these very things for Israel’s kings in Deuteronomy 17:16–18.
In the list of David’s lifetime accomplishments, something that is often overlooked are his efforts to organize the tribe of Levi for effective ministry in the temple. (Chapters 23–25) Though seldom mentioned, this work was of tremendous spiritual significance!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through SOLOMON, THE SON OF DAVID, ISRAEL’S KING – 1 Chronicles 23:1 (Luke 1:32; Matt. 21:9)