1 Chronicles 28:1-21
Q.1. Why did David not build a Temple for the Lord? Why did David summon all the leaders from the tribes of Israel to pass on his plans? (1 Chr.28:1-3)
God gave David the responsibility of establishing the kingdom for the tribes of Israel. In so doing, David had been a man of war who had shed much blood. This disqualified him from building the Temple, because from the beginning the shedding of blood was highly significant and would form the basis of our redemption (Gen.4:10; 9:5-6 c.f. Heb.9:22). Solomon had become king because David was now old and frail (1 Chr.23:1 c.f. 1 Kgs.1:1-40). Nevertheless, David was still highly regarded and had the authority to gather all the key leaders of Israel to give his final instructions (1 Chr.28:1).
Q.2. What qualified Solomon to build the temple? On what basis would God bless Solomon and the people of Israel? (1 Chr.28:4-10)
David had many sons. Solomon was one of the youngest. Just as God had chosen David, God told him – 6 … `Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever … (1 Chr. 28:6-7). The choice of Solomon highlighted God’s grace. Solomon was the son of Bathsheba, with whom David had earlier had an adulterous union. Solomon’s blessing, and that of the nation, depended on his and their obedience – 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances, AS IS DONE NOW … 9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever (1 Chr.28:7 & 9). It is significant that God challenged Solomon to obey, AS IS DONE NOW under David’s reign (1 Chr.28:7). God was very aware of David’s utter failure. However, David found mercy by God’s grace. It was not perfection that would sustain Israel, any more than it did David. God’s grace is extended to all who depend on Him, and not on other gods (c.f. 1 Kgs.11:1-1-13).
Q.3. From where did David get his plans for the construction of the Temple for the Ark of the Covenant? (1 Chron.28:11-21)
David went into great details regarding the building of the Temple. Though he was frail, he was clear about the plans that he had been given. David made a staggering claim about the origin of these plans – All this the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me … all the details of this pattern (1 Chr.28:19). The plans did not originate with David but came directly from God. This accords with Peter’s explanation about the Scriptures – 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Pet.1:20-21). David would hardly have understood all of the significance of the Temple plans. The Temple was a pattern of the Heavenly one. For that reason the Temple had to correspond with the one that Christ will enter in Heaven – 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb.9:23-24).