Year 3, Day 293: 1 Chronicles 22

David’s Gathers Materials

As we open chapter 22, we hear about David gathering materials for the construction of the temple.  This temple is to be placed on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite whose residence the angel of the Lord stopped as he went forward executing God’s wrath against David’s census.  Remember earlier that David wanted to build a temple but God had told him not to do so.  Therefore, David isn’t disobedient to God, but he collects material so that Solomon will be ready to go when he becomes king after David’s death.

I think this is a very neat move on David’s behalf.  David has found a way to obey God yet move forward in his desire to recognize God.  David also has found a way to set his son up for success as soon as he becomes king.  Solomon will be able to set out on this construction with the vast majority of the work already having been done by David.  His fame and reputation will increase in short order because of the forethought of his father.  This is a great example of a father using his influence to set his son up for success while at the same time not giving him life on a silver platter.

You might also be wondering why it was that David sought out stonecutters from among the resident aliens in the land rather than using Hebrew people.  The reason is fairly simple.  Remember that the Hebrew people hadn’t lived in the Promised Land for too long at this point.  They wouldn’t have been the kind of masters of construction that David would have wanted when it came to building a temple for God.  However, the Phoenicians were especially known for using the kind of materials that are found in the Promised Land.  David likely understood this dynamic and searched for the best for the temple of the Lord from among the resident aliens.

Solomon Charged With Construction

Once David had put the collection of the resources together, David called his son to him and gave him very clear instructions.  David tells Solomon that he is the one who is to build the temple.  In fact, David does a great job describing to Solomon the calling process from God.  Solomon isn’t just chosen by David; He is chosen by God.

Imagine being a young prince and hearing that your destiny as a leader is to be a leader of peace and prosperity.  Imagine Solomon’s reaction to hearing that since he is a part of David’s line that his own offspring would reign forever.  I can only imagine how Solomon must have felt to hear these impressive words spoken over him as an aspiring ruler.  In this respect I also give David much credit.  He tried to find a way to give his son awe for the awesomeness of the God that he worshipped.

Of course, I also give David credit for speaking the truth to Solomon about why David wasn’t building the temple.  David is honest about the fact that he had been too violent in his reign.  David doesn’t attempt to hide the truth, deny the truth, or twist the truth to spin himself in a more favorable light.  David gives it straight to Solomon so that Solomon can learn from David’s example.  David had many flaws, but accepting and following God’s directives was not among them.

David also instructs his son to not only excel in building the temple but also in leading the people to follow God’s ways.  This might seem a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, for David’s sins were well known.  However, David wants Solomon to be a man after God’s own heart just as he was.  David wants his son to be in a relationship with God, not just the provider of an ornate building.  David stresses the fact that God had blessed Solomon with much provision and that the proper response would be to keep the Law of God and pass it on.

David Tasks the Leaders

After David speaks to Solomon, David also speaks to the leaders of the land.  After all, Solomon was going to be a young ruler.  Yes, Solomon had been groomed for the role by his father; but there is always a difference between being taught what to do and actually having to do it.  Solomon was going to be young and fresh, he would need good leadership around him.  David attempts to create such an environment for his son.

However, David speaks more than a word of encouragement to help his son.  David tells them that God has brought them to a time of peace and prosperity.  God has given them all that they need.  God has fulfilled His promises to the people and allowed a golden age of humanity to descend upon them.  They have no reason to stray from the Lord.  They have every reason to seek the Lord and give praise to Him!  God has fulfilled His Word to them in advance of the people fulfilling their end of the bargain.

Unfortunately, we know how this story ends.  The chronicler is setting us up.  Solomon does have a reign of peace and prosperity.  He does see an incredible increase of personal wealth.  But he also sees foreign gods brought into the land through the resident aliens and through his wives and concubines.  Instead of drawing closer to God during Solomon’s reign, the people begin to slide away.  When we are not careful about paying attention to our relationship with God, it often slips through our fingers while we are looking elsewhere.

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