1 Chronicles 22

1 Chronicles 22:1

F. Preparations for the Temple (Chaps. 2226)1. Materials, Men, and Motivation (Chap. 22)22:1-5 David recognized that the threshing floor (1Ch_21:28) was the future site of the temple and of the altar of burnt offering. Therefore he began to make preparations for construction, though he knew that Solomon was the one who would have the privilege of building the temple. The aliens mentioned in verse 2 were the Canaanites who remained in the land (1Ki_9:20-21). Israel was supposed to have destroyed them, but, having failed to do this, the Jews now subjected them to forced labor. 22:6-13 In a rather formal address to Solomon, David rehearsed his own desire to build the temple, his disqualification because he had been a man of blood, and the Lord’s promise that his son Solomon would build the house of God. He requested that the LORD would be with Solomon, giving him wisdom and understanding, and urged Solomon to be obedient to the law of God. 22:14-16 Finally, David told Solomon about all the troubles he had taken to prepare materials and workmen for the task. He ended with advice that all Christians would do well to heed: “Arise and begin working, and the LORD be with you.“22:17-19 Then the king urged the leaders of Israel to cooperate with Solomon. Notice that building for God is first a matter of the heart, then of the hands: “Set your heart . . . and build the sanctuary.”