1 Chronicles22
New American Standard
1Then David said, “This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2So David gave orders to gather the strangers who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to cut out stones to build the house of God.
3And David prepared large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than could be weighed;
4and timbers of cedar beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David.
5David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous, and glorious throughout the lands. Therefore I now will make preparations for it.” So David made ample preparations before his death.
6Then he called for his son Solomon, and commanded him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel.
7David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house for the name of the Lord my God.
8But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me.
9Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.
10He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11Now, my son, the Lord be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you.
12Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the Lord your God.
13Then you will prosper, if you are careful to follow the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.
14Now behold, with great pains I have prepared for the house of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold and a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for they are in great quantity; I have also prepared timber and stone, and you may add to that.
15Moreover there are many workmen with you, stonecutters, masons of stone, and carpenters; and all of them are skillful in every kind of work.
16Of the gold, silver, bronze, and iron there is no limit. Arise and work, and may the Lord be with you.”
17David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon, saying,
18“Is the Lord your God not with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has handed over to me the inhabitants of the land, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people.
19Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; then arise, and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 22.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David's preparations for the temple. (1–5). David's instructions to Solomon. (6–16). The prices commanded to assist. (17–19).
vv1-5
On occasion of the terrible judgment inflicted on Israel for the sin of David, God pointed out the place where he would have the temple built; upon which, David was excited to make preparations for the great work. David must not build, but he would do all he could; he prepared abundantly before his death. What our hands find to do for God, and our souls, and those round us, let us do it with all our might, before our death; for after death there is no device nor working. And when the Lord refuses to employ us in those services which we desired, we must not be discouraged or idle, but do what we can, though in a humbler sphere.
vv6-16
David gives Solomon the reason why he should build the temple. Because God named him. Nothing is more powerful to engage us in any service for God, than to know that we are appointed thereto. Because he would have leisure and opportunity to do it. He should have peace and quietness. Where God gives rest, he expects work. Because God had promised to establish his kingdom. God's gracious promises should quicken and strengthen our religious service. David delivered to Solomon an account of the vast preparations he had made for this building; not from pride and vain-glory, but to encourage Solomon to engage cheerfully in the great work. He must not think, by building the temple, to purchase a dispensation to sin; on the contrary, his doing that would not be accepted, if he did not take heed to fulfil the statutes of the Lord. In our spiritual work, as well as in our spiritual warfare, we have need of courage and resolution. (1Ch 22:17-19)
vv17-19
Whatever is done towards rendering the word of God generally known and attended to, is like bringing a stone, or an ingot of gold, towards erecting the temple. This should encourage us when we grieve that we do not see more fruit of our labours; much good may appear after our death, which we never thought of. Let us not then be weary of well doing. The work is in the hands of the Prince of peace. As he, the Author and Finisher of the work, is pleased to employ us as his instruments, let us arise and be doing, encouraging and helping one another; working by his rule, after his example, in dependence on his grace, assured that he will be with us, and that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
זֶה: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
מִזְבֵּחַ: an altar
עֹלָה: a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כָּנַס: to collect; hence, to enfold
גֵּר: properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
Cross References
1 Chronicles 22Direct historical link showing where God answered by fire, designating the location of the future temple.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Solomon restates that David could not build the house because of the wars on every side.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original dynastic promise concerning the son who would succeed David and build the house.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David repeats these exact promises concerning Solomon's selection and kingdom establishment later.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Identifies the 'strangers' gathered by David as the descendants of Canaanites later conscripted by Solomon.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Solomon confesses his youthfulness using the same terminology described by David here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Applies the promise 'I will be his father, and he shall be my son' to Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of the promise that David's seed will build the house.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Solomon asks for and receives the very wisdom and understanding David prays for here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David charges Solomon using Joshua's commission: to observe the law, be strong, and not fear.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Confirms the temple site was Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David.
Supported by JFB
The historic fulfillment of Tyrians and Zidonians supplying cedar trees for the temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David reiterates to the congregation that Solomon is young and tender, and the work is great.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reiterates that David was disqualified from building because he was a man of war.
Supported by Matthew Poole