1 Chronicles22
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Then David said, “This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut dressed stones to build God’s house.
3David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the couplings, and bronze in abundance without weight,
4and cedar trees without number, for the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
5David said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel.
7David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God.
8But Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to 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 peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
10He shall build a house for my name; and he will 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 Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you.
12May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of Yahweh your God.
13Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed.
14Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for Yahweh’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them.
15There are also workmen with you in abundance—cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work;
16of the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you.”
17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18“Isn’t Yahweh your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Yahweh and before his people.
19Now set your heart and your soul to follow Yahweh your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of Yahweh’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for Yahweh’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