1 Chronicles 22:5
And David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent--famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore I must make preparations for it." So David made lavish preparations before his death.
Now David said
This phrase introduces us to a pivotal moment in the narrative of King David's reign. David, the shepherd-turned-king, is speaking with the authority and wisdom gained from years of leading Israel. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies not just speaking, but declaring or commanding, indicating the seriousness and intentionality behind David's words. This moment is a transition from David's active reign to the future he envisions for Israel under Solomon.

My son Solomon
David refers to Solomon, his chosen successor, emphasizing the familial and dynastic continuity of God's promise to David. The name "Solomon" (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo) is derived from the Hebrew word for peace (שָׁלוֹם, shalom), foreshadowing the peace and prosperity that will characterize Solomon's reign. This highlights the divine plan for Solomon to build the temple, a task of peace, not war.

is young and inexperienced
David acknowledges Solomon's youth and lack of experience, which in Hebrew (נַעַר, na'ar for "young" and רַךְ, rakh for "inexperienced") suggests vulnerability and the need for guidance. This recognition of Solomon's current state underscores the importance of David's preparations and the reliance on God's wisdom and strength to equip Solomon for the monumental task ahead.

the house to be built for the LORD
The "house" refers to the temple, a central place of worship for Israel. The Hebrew word for house (בַּיִת, bayit) signifies not just a physical structure but a dwelling place for God's presence among His people. This temple is to be a tangible symbol of God's covenant and His desire to dwell with Israel, reflecting the sacredness and holiness of the task.

must be exceedingly magnificent
David's vision for the temple is one of grandeur and splendor. The Hebrew word for "magnificent" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) conveys greatness and importance. This reflects the temple's role as a beacon of God's glory and a testament to His greatness, intended to inspire awe and reverence among all who see it.

famous and glorious throughout all lands
The temple is not only for Israel but is to be renowned across the world. The Hebrew for "famous" (שֵׁם, shem) and "glorious" (תִּפְאֶרֶת, tiferet) suggests a reputation that brings honor and beauty. This global recognition aligns with God's promise to Abraham that through his descendants, all nations would be blessed, positioning the temple as a focal point of divine interaction with humanity.

Therefore I will make preparations for it
David's resolve to prepare for the temple's construction demonstrates his commitment to God's plan. The Hebrew root for "preparations" (כּוּן, kun) implies establishing or making firm, indicating David's thorough and intentional efforts to ensure the temple's successful completion. This preparation is an act of faith and obedience, setting the stage for Solomon's future work.

So David made extensive preparations before his death
David's actions are proactive and comprehensive, ensuring that Solomon has all he needs to fulfill this divine mandate. The phrase "extensive preparations" underscores the magnitude of David's efforts, reflecting his dedication to God's glory and the future of Israel. This legacy of preparation is a testament to David's heart for God and his people, leaving a foundation for Solomon to build upon.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel who desires to build a temple for the LORD but is instructed by God that his son Solomon will build it instead. David takes on the responsibility of making preparations for the temple.

2. Solomon
David's son, described as young and inexperienced. He is chosen by God to build the temple, a task of great significance and responsibility.

3. The House for the LORD
Refers to the temple that David plans for Solomon to build. It is intended to be a magnificent and glorious structure, reflecting the greatness of God.

4. Preparations for the Temple
David's actions in gathering materials and resources for the construction of the temple, ensuring that Solomon has everything needed to complete the task.

5. The Land of Israel
The location where the temple is to be built, serving as a central place of worship for the Israelites and a symbol of God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
Preparation and Planning
David's extensive preparations teach us the importance of planning and preparing for tasks that honor God. We should be diligent in our efforts to serve Him.

Generational Legacy
David's actions set up Solomon for success, highlighting the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy for future generations.

Recognizing Limitations
David acknowledges Solomon's youth and inexperience, reminding us to recognize our limitations and seek God's guidance and provision.

Magnificence for God's Glory
The temple's intended magnificence reflects the glory of God. Our work and worship should aim to glorify God in all aspects.

Faithfulness in God's Promises
David's trust in God's promise that Solomon would build the temple encourages us to have faith in God's plans and timing.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's preparation for the temple reflect his heart for God, and how can we apply this attitude in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we prepare the next generation to carry on the work of God, as David did for Solomon?

3. What are some areas in our lives where we need to recognize our limitations and seek God's guidance?

4. How can we ensure that our efforts and achievements reflect the glory of God, similar to the intended magnificence of the temple?

5. How does understanding God's promises to David and Solomon encourage us in trusting God's plans for our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 5-6
These chapters describe Solomon's actual construction of the temple, fulfilling the preparations and plans made by David.

2 Samuel 7
This chapter contains God's covenant with David, where God promises that David's offspring will build a house for His name, establishing the connection between David's preparations and Solomon's future work.

Proverbs 4:3-7
Solomon's wisdom is highlighted, which is essential for his role in building the temple, showing the importance of wisdom and understanding in fulfilling God's plans.
David and the TempleS. A. Tipple.1 Chronicles 22:5
Preparation for the TempleJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 22:5
Right Ideas Concerning God's Earthly SanctuariesR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 22:5
The Ideal TempleCanon Liddon.1 Chronicles 22:5
The Inspiration of a Lofty IdealJ. Parker, D. D.1 Chronicles 22:5
Working Up to DeathJ. Parker, D. D.1 Chronicles 22:5
David's Preparation for Building the TempleF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 22:1-5, 14
Willingness to Do What We May When We are Forbidden to Do What We WouldR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 22:2-5
People
David, Sidonians, Solomon, Tyrians, Zidonians
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abundance, Abundant, Abundantly, Ample, Beauty, Builded, Built, Countries, David, Death, Exceeding, Exceedingly, Extensive, Fame, Famous, Glorious, Glory, Got, Inexperienced, Lands, Magnificence, Magnificent, Material, Materials, Nations, Needed, Preparation, Preparations, Prepare, Prepared, Prepareth, Provided, Quantity, Ready, Sight, Solomon, Splendor, Store, Tender, Throughout, Untested, Wonder, Youth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 22:5

     5716   middle age
     5746   youth
     5887   inexperience

1 Chronicles 22:1-19

     5089   David, significance

1 Chronicles 22:2-10

     5054   responsibility, examples

Library
David's Prohibited Desire and Permitted Service
'Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the Lord God of Israel. 7. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God: 8. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto My name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in My sight. 9. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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