I Chronicles 22 (NIV)

Summary:

Verse 1

David declared that the house of God and the altar for burnt offerings for Israel would be established at the threshing floor he had bought from Araunah.

Preparations for the Temple
Verses 2-19

David ordered the assembling of the foreigners in Israel and appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone to build the house of God.  David provided a lot of iron for the nails for the doors of the gateways and the fittings.  He provided more bronze than could be weighed and more cedar logs than could be counted, which had been gifted to him by the Sidonians and Tyrians.

David said that his son, Solomon, was young and inexperienced.  The house of God was to be magnificent, famous, and full of splendor in the sight of all nations.  So, David would make preparations for it before his death.  He called for Solomon and charged him to build God's house.  He told Solomon of his intentions, but God had told David that he'd shed a lot of blood and fought many wars on the earth.  He would be given a son of peace and rest, and God would give his son rest from all of his enemies.  His name would be Solomon, which is similar to the Hebrew word for "peace".  God would grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.  Solomon would build a house for His Name.  He would be God's son and God his Father.  God would establish his throne forever. 

David asked for God to be with Solomon and grant him success as he built God's house, according to God's instructions.  David asked for God to give Solomon discretion and understanding when in command of Israel, to help him keep God's law, which would help him be succesful.  He told Solomon to be strong and courageous, not afraid or discouraged.  David also put in a great effort to provide for the temple:
- 100,000 talents (about 3,750 tons) of gold
- 1,000,000 talents (about 37,500 tons) of silver
- bronze & iron too great to be weighed
- wood & stone
- innumerable workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpentars, crafstmen for the various metals, etc.

Solomon was allowed to add to the supplies.  David also ordered the leaders of Israel to help Solomon with this project.  God was with them and had granted them peace by handing over the land's inhabitants to David.  The land was subject to the Lord and His people.

"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God."  (Verse 19a)

David instructed them to build the sanctuary to bring the ark of the covenant and sacred articles into the temple to be built for the Name of the Lord.

Lori's Thoughts:

See how quickly God helped David get back on his feet after slipping in sin, then repenting immediately?  That's because David belonged to God.  Our Father is just and merciful.  If we devote ourselves to Him, He is good to make us aware of wrongs, which we will do as humans, and we can return into His favor.  Now, that's not to say we can live as sinners because He'll forgive us every time.  Forgiveness is for the sincere.  As Christians, we should sin rarely to never, because the Holy Spirit guides our hearts and thoughts.  Also, no tempation has come to you, that has not been experienced by others.  God will provide a way for you not to fall into sin.  (See I Corinthians 10:13)

David said God's will be done for the temple.  He was not to be the builder.  David was humble enough to step back and support his son for God's work.  Solomon had a good father.  His father taught him about obedience and worship of God.  He taught Solomon how to be a leader, to be strong and courageous.  He spoke words of encouragement and faith in his son's capabilities, despite his youth and lack of experience.  I encourage all parents to follow David's example.  We need to build up our children in the knowledge and confidence in God.  This will enable them to be good people and accomplish great things.

I imagine heaven to be like Solomon's time.  Peaceful.  Work devoted to God.  The creation of the most beautiful and grand artwork I've ever heard of, including the Sistine Chapel.  I look forward to it.

I must express my human reaction here.  1,000,000 talents = 37,500 tons = 75,000 pounds of silver!  That's the equivalent of a baby elephant stacked on top of 3 of the heaviest recorded elephants!

We cannot deny that God wants us to prosper.  Let me just remind myself and you that there are things much more valuable than things, such as Love and a relationship with God.  Without these, everything is meaningless.

Remember to "... devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God."