1 Chronicles 22 Commentary – David’s Temple Preparations and Solomon’s Commission

1 Chronicles 22 records David’s extensive preparations for building the temple and his charge to Solomon to complete this sacred project. This chapter shows David’s heart for God’s house, his wisdom in preparing resources, and his faithful transfer of leadership to his son Solomon.

David Designates the Temple Site

The chapter opens with David’s declaration that the house of the Lord God and the altar for burnt offerings would be built at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. This location had been revealed to David through divine intervention when God stopped the destroying angel during the plague that followed David’s census of Israel. The site would become the location of Solomon’s temple and later Herod’s temple.

David’s recognition of this holy ground demonstrates his sensitivity to God’s leading. He understood that God had chosen this specific place for His dwelling among His people. The threshing floor, a place where grain was separated from chaff, symbolically represented the separation between the sacred and the common.

Massive Material Preparations

David began gathering enormous quantities of materials needed for temple construction. He accumulated iron for nails and hinges, bronze beyond measure, and cedar logs without number. The Sidonians and Tyrians had brought vast amounts of cedar wood to David, showing how God moved even foreign nations to support His purposes.

The king’s preparation was thorough and generous. He understood that the temple must be magnificent because it would represent God’s glory to all nations. David’s extensive preparations showed his deep reverence for God and his desire to honor the Lord with the finest materials available.

These preparations teach believers today about the importance of giving God our best efforts and resources. David could have left the work entirely to Solomon, but instead he invested heavily in advancing God’s kingdom work.

David’s Reasoning for Solomon’s Role

David explained to Solomon why he would not build the temple himself. God had spoken to David through the prophet Nathan, declaring that because David had shed much blood and fought many wars, he would not build the house of God. Instead, God promised that Solomon, whose name means “peaceful,” would build the temple during a time of peace and rest.

This divine decision reveals God’s character and His plans. God desired that His house be built during a time of peace, not war. The temple would be a place of worship, prayer, and communion with God, requiring an atmosphere of tranquility rather than conflict.

David’s acceptance of God’s decision demonstrates spiritual maturity. He did not argue with God or become bitter about being excluded from this honor. Instead, he channeled his energy into preparing everything possible to ensure his son’s success.

God’s Promise Concerning Solomon

David shared with Solomon the specific promises God had made about his reign. God promised that Solomon would be a man of rest, that his kingdom would experience peace, that his name would be Solomon (peaceful), and that God would establish his throne forever if he remained faithful.

The conditional nature of God’s promise is significant. While God guaranteed peace during Solomon’s reign and success in building the temple, the eternal establishment of Solomon’s throne depended on continued obedience to God’s laws and commandments. This principle applies throughout Scripture – God’s blessings often come with conditions requiring faithful obedience.

These promises encouraged both David and Solomon. They showed God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David while establishing clear expectations for Solomon’s reign. The promise of an eternal throne ultimately points to the Messiah, who would come through David’s lineage.

David’s Charge to Solomon

David delivered a passionate charge to his son, emphasizing several key points. He encouraged Solomon to be strong and courageous, to observe God’s statutes and judgments, and to undertake the temple project without fear or discouragement.

The charge reveals David’s pastoral heart toward his son. He knew that Solomon would face enormous challenges in building the temple and ruling Israel. David’s words provided both practical guidance and spiritual encouragement for the tasks ahead.

David’s emphasis on courage reflects the biblical pattern where God repeatedly tells His servants to be strong and courageous when facing significant challenges. Moses charged Joshua similarly, and God would later encourage various judges and kings with these same words.

Resources and Workforce Prepared

David detailed the extensive resources he had accumulated for the temple project. He had prepared one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure. He had also gathered timber, stone, and skilled craftsmen including masons, carpenters, and metalworkers.

The quantities mentioned are staggering and demonstrate the immense value David placed on building God’s house. Some scholars suggest these numbers may reflect ancient counting systems or represent accumulated wealth over David’s entire reign rather than cash on hand.

David’s preparation of skilled workers was equally important as the materials. He understood that the temple required not just expensive materials but also expert craftsmanship. This shows his comprehensive planning and his desire for excellence in every aspect of the project.

Appeal to Israel’s Leaders

David concluded the chapter by charging all of Israel’s leaders to help Solomon in the temple project. He reminded them of God’s faithfulness in giving them rest from their enemies and subduing the land before them. He called them to seek the Lord with their whole heart and soul and to build the temple so the ark and holy vessels could be brought into it.

This appeal to the leaders shows David’s understanding that the temple project would require national commitment, not just royal resources. He recognized that sustainable success required broad-based support from Israel’s leadership at every level.

David’s call for wholehearted seeking of the Lord emphasizes that the temple’s true purpose was spiritual rather than merely architectural. The building itself was important, but the heart attitude of the people was paramount.

Theological Themes and Significance

Several major theological themes emerge from this chapter. First, the importance of preparation in accomplishing God’s purposes is evident throughout David’s actions. He understood that faithful preparation honors God and sets the foundation for future success.

Second, the principle of generational continuity in God’s work appears clearly. David could not build the temple himself, but he could prepare thoroughly for his successor. This teaches believers about the importance of investing in the next generation and preparing others to continue God’s work.

Third, the chapter demonstrates God’s sovereignty in determining timing and methods for His purposes. God chose Solomon over David for temple construction based on His own wisdom and plans, not human preference or ability.

Fourth, the conditional nature of God’s promises requires ongoing obedience and faithfulness. While God guaranteed certain outcomes, He also established requirements for continued blessing.

Practical Lessons for Believers

Modern believers can draw several practical applications from this chapter. First, we should prepare thoroughly for the work God calls us to do. David’s extensive preparations show that faithful planning honors God and increases the likelihood of success in kingdom work.

Second, we must be willing to accept God’s timing and methods even when they differ from our preferences. David wanted to build the temple but accepted God’s decision that Solomon should do it instead. This teaches us to trust God’s wisdom over our own desires.

Third, we should invest in preparing the next generation for kingdom work. David’s comprehensive preparation for Solomon demonstrates how senior leaders should equip their successors for continued ministry effectiveness.

Fourth, we should give God our best resources and efforts. David’s generous provision of materials and skilled workers shows that God deserves our finest offerings, not our leftovers.

Fifth, we need to maintain wholehearted devotion to seeking God. David’s call to seek the Lord with heart and soul reminds us that external religious activities must flow from genuine internal devotion.

Cross References

• Genesis 22:2 – Mount Moriah, traditionally identified with the temple mount, where Abraham offered Isaac
• 2 Samuel 7:1-17 – God’s covenant with David promising an eternal dynasty
• 2 Samuel 24:18-25 – David purchases the threshing floor of Araunah (Ornan) after the plague
• 1 Kings 5:1-18 – Solomon’s preparations for building the temple
• 1 Kings 6:1-38 – The actual construction of Solomon’s temple
• 1 Kings 8:1-66 – The dedication of the completed temple
• 2 Chronicles 2:1-18 – Parallel account of Solomon’s temple preparations
• 2 Chronicles 3:1-17 – Parallel account of temple construction beginning
• Psalm 132:1-18 – David’s desire to build a house for God
• Haggai 1:1-15 – Post-exilic call to rebuild the temple
• Matthew 1:1-17 – Jesus’ genealogy showing fulfillment of Davidic promises
• John 2:19-22 – Jesus as the ultimate temple
• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – Believers as God’s temple
• Ephesians 2:19-22 – The church as God’s spiritual temple
• 1 Peter 2:4-10 – Believers as living stones in God’s spiritual house