1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou [hast been] a man of war, and hast shed blood.
4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah [to be] the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make [me] king over all Israel:
5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him [to be] my son, and I will be his father.
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave [it] for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do [it].
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.
14 [He gave] of gold by weight for [things] of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; [silver also] for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, [both] for the candlestick, and [also] for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
16 And by weight [he gave] gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and [likewise] silver for the tables of silver:
17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons [he gave gold] by weight for every bason; and [likewise silver] by weight for every bason of silver:
18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19 All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.
20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment.
Overview of 1 Chronicles Chapter 28
1 Chronicles Chapter 28 focuses on King David’s final instructions to his son Solomon regarding the building of the temple in Jerusalem. It emphasizes the importance of following God’s commands and the significance of the temple as a dwelling place for the Lord. This chapter serves as a pivotal moment in the transition of leadership from David to Solomon and highlights the importance of divine guidance in the establishment of the temple.
Key Themes
- Divine Instruction: The chapter underscores the necessity of adhering to God’s will in all endeavors, particularly in the construction of the temple.
- Legacy and Succession: David’s instructions to Solomon illustrate the importance of preparing the next generation for leadership and responsibility.
- Worship and Reverence: The chapter emphasizes the temple’s role as a sacred space for worship, reflecting the reverence due to God.
- Unity and Community: David calls upon the leaders of Israel to support Solomon, highlighting the importance of unity in fulfilling God’s plans.
Structure of the Chapter
- David Assembles Israel’s Leaders (Verses 1-2):
David gathers all the leaders of Israel, including military commanders and tribal leaders, to present his plans for the temple. This gathering signifies the importance of collective support for the project.
- David’s Charge to Solomon (Verses 3-10):
David reveals that God chose Solomon to build the temple. He emphasizes the need for Solomon to seek God and follow His commands to succeed in this monumental task.
- Details of the Temple (Verses 11-19):
David provides Solomon with detailed plans for the temple’s construction, including its layout, materials, and furnishings. This section highlights the importance of careful planning and divine inspiration in the creation of sacred spaces.
- Encouragement to Solomon (Verses 20-21):
David encourages Solomon to be strong and courageous, assuring him that God will be with him. He also calls upon the leaders and people to support Solomon in this endeavor.
Analysis of Key Verses
Verses 1-2: David Assembles the Leaders
These opening verses set the stage for the importance of communal involvement in spiritual endeavors. David’s act of gathering the leaders signifies the need for unity and shared purpose among the people of Israel.
Verses 3-10: God’s Choice of Solomon
David’s declaration that God specifically chose Solomon for this task reinforces the idea of divine selection in leadership. David’s advice to Solomon to seek God and follow His commands serves as a timeless principle for all leaders.
Verses 11-19: The Plans for the Temple
This section illustrates the meticulous nature of the temple’s design and the significance of each element. The detailed description reflects the importance of the temple as a holy place and the care that should be taken in its construction.
Verses 20-21: Encouragement and Support
David’s encouragement to Solomon to be strong and courageous resonates with themes of leadership and reliance on God. The call for the leaders and people to support Solomon emphasizes the collective responsibility in fulfilling God’s plans.
Conclusion
1 Chronicles Chapter 28 encapsulates the transition of leadership from David to Solomon and the foundational role of the temple in Israel’s worship. The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of divine guidance, communal support, and the legacy of faith passed from one generation to the next.
