1 Chronicles22
New International Version
1Then David said, “The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners residing in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God.
3He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed.
4He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David.
5David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.
6Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.
7David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it 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 have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.
9But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant 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.’
11“Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would.
12May the Lord give you discretion 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 have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
14“I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them.
15You have many workers: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work
16in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.”
17Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.
18He said to them, “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 hands, and the land is subject to the Lord and to his people.
19Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will 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