The Way
Preparing for the Temple
Gathering for a house he would never build
Story
Pointing to the threshing floor of Araunah, David said, “Here is where the house of the Lord God will stand.” From that day David gathered stonecutters to dress the stone and piled up iron and more bronze than could be weighed. The people of Sidon and Tyre brought cedar beyond counting. David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced. The house of the Lord must be renowned throughout the world, so I will make preparations for it now.”
David called Solomon and said, “My son, I wanted to build a house for the name of the Lord. But the Lord said to me, You have shed much blood and fought great wars, so you will not build my house. A son will be born to you who will be a man of peace; he will build it.” Later, before all the leaders of Israel, David handed Solomon the plans for the temple that the Lord had made clear to him, and said, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work.”
From his own treasure David gave three thousand talents of gold from Ophir and seven thousand talents of silver. The leaders gave willingly too, and the people rejoiced at what had been given wholeheartedly. Before the whole assembly David praised the Lord: “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give like this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what came from your hand. Our days on earth are like a shadow.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
A son will be born to you who will be a man of peace. He will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father.
My son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you.
Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give like this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what we received from your hand.
Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid. The Lord my God is with you, and he will not leave you until all the work is finished.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Chr 22:1–19; 28:1–29:20
Background
Chronicles records that David provided a hundred thousand talents of gold and a million talents of silver for the temple. Many put a talent at about thirty-four kilograms. Psalm 30 carries the heading “A song at the dedication of the house.”
Pause and Reflect
Even if I won't see the fruit, can I gladly prepare the way for those who come after me?