1 Chronicles22
New Living Translation
1Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!”
2So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God.
3David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed.
4He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David.
5David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.
6Then David sent for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel.
7“My son, I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God,” David told him.
8“But the Lord said to me, ‘You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name.
9But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign.
10He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11“Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success as you follow his directions in building the Temple of the Lord your God.
12And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel.
13For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!
14“I have worked hard to provide materials for building the Temple of the Lord—nearly 4,000 tons of gold, 40,000 tons of silver, and so much iron and bronze that it cannot be weighed. I have also gathered timber and stone for the walls, though you may need to add more.
15You have a large number of skilled stonemasons and carpenters and craftsmen of every kind.
16You have expert goldsmiths and silversmiths and workers of bronze and iron. Now begin the work, and may the Lord be with you!”
17Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to assist Solomon in this project.
18“The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the Lord and his people.
19Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the Lord’s name.”
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