Early morning on a bare hilltop above a small walled town: around a round threshing floor and a small fieldstone altar lie long stacks of reddish cedar logs, rows of squared pale limestone blocks and heaps of dark iron and bronze under rough cloths, beneath a calm, pale dawn sky.

The Book of

1 Chronicles 22

An old king who may not build gathers everything his son will need, and tells him why.

19 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–9GenealogiesAll Israel, from Adam
10Saul fallsThe kingdom turned to David
11–12David kingAll Israel gathers
13–16The arkBrought home with songs
17The covenantA house forever
18–20David's warsThe LORD gave victory
21The siteOrnan's threshing floor
22–27Preparing the templePriests, Levites and singersChapter 22
28–29David's farewellBe strong, and do the work

Preparations for the Temple

1 Chronicles 22:1

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Close at the quarry: two masons square a huge block of pale limestone with chisels and mallets, its faces already smooth and straight-edged, chips flying, other finished blocks lying ready behind them.

So 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.

Reflect

Preparing for what you won’t see

David gathered stone, iron, bronze and cedar for a house he would never see built. “Therefore I must make preparations for it.” What could you prepare now, in your family, your church or your work, that someone after you will finish? Write down one thing you can start this week.

Solomon Anointed to Build the Temple

Evening in a cedar-beamed room by clay lamplight: the old King David, white-haired, sits upright on a plain carved chair with one hand on the shoulder of young Solomon, who kneels before him with his face lifted, listening; a rolled scroll tied with a cord lies on a low table.

Then David called for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.

“My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, but 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.

0:21

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Late afternoon in a farmyard: a spear and a round shield hang unused on a stone wall while a farmer sits resting in the shade of his vine and his children play.

But 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.

1 Chronicles 22:10

Now, 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. Above 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.

Why David didn’t build

Whiteboard

David wanted to build, and the LORD said no: the house was not for the warrior king but for “a man of rest.” Yet the no came wrapped in a promise. God would build David a house, his son would build God’s, and David spent his last years making ready for a work he would never see.

Then 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.

David

David

Now 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.

A builders' yard below the quarry: Israelite masons and Phoenician craftsmen from Gebal work side by side, some measuring a squared stone with a cord, others shaping a long cedar beam with adzes, stacks of timber and dressed stone around them.

You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work— in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”

Question

Quick question

David wanted to build the house of the LORD himself. The LORD gave the work to his son instead.

Why did the LORD say David was not to build His house?

Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon: “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.

1 Chronicles 22:19

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.”

Pray

Set your heart to seek Him

Pray for the next generation in your family and your church, that they would know the LORD and “keep the Law of the LORD your God.” Ask for courage where you are afraid: “Be strong and courageous.” Ask Him to help you “set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God.” And thank Him for the Son of David whose throne is forever.

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1 Chronicles 22

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A verse to carry with you

Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God.

1 Chronicles 22:19

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