1 Chronicles22
New King James Version
1Then David said, “This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2So David commanded to gather the aliens who were in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God.
3And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance beyond measure,
4and cedar trees in abundance; for the Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
5Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.
6Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel.
7And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God;
8but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.
9Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness 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, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you.
12Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
13Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.
14Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.
15Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.
16Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you.”
17David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, 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. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles 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