U F 28:1-29:8. Preparation. Persons.
G 28:9. Joy.
F 29:10-20. Preparation. Devotions.
g 29:21,22-. Feasting
F H 28:1. Princes. Gifts.
J q 28:2-8. People addressed.
r 28:9,10. Solomon charged.
K 28:11-19. The pattern delivered.
J r 28:20,21. Solomon charged.
q 29:1-5. People Addressed.
H 29:6-8. Princes. gifts.
921 B.C.
1 Chronicles 28)
1 And David mustered all the princes of Israel, (cp. 27:16-22) the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the princes over the thousands, (see 27:1) and princes over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, (cp. 27:25-31. Each body consisted of 12 persons) and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, to Jerusalem.
2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, (note David's 3 attitude's; lying on the earth as a penitent [2 Sam. 12:16. Cp. Ps. 54]; sitting before Yahaveh as a worshipper [2 Sam. 7:18. 1 Chron. 17:16]; and standing on his feet as a servant [here]) and said, "Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in my heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, even the Ark, and had made ready for the building:
3 But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for My name, because you hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.'
4 However the Lord God of Israel chose me (cp. 1 Sam. 16:12) before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for He has chosen Judah to be the ruler; (cp. Gen. 49:10) 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 has given me many sons,) He has chosen Solomon (cp. 22:9. 2 Sam. 12:25) my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.
6 And He said to me, (cp. 22:9. 2 Sam. 7:13,14) 'Solomon your 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 assembly of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: (see 10:13,14. 1 Sam. 28:6,7) that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your sons after you for ever.
9 And you, Solomon my son, you know the God of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing soul: for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake Him, he will cast you off for ever. (We are to serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind. This could be translated, "with mature flesh and a willing soul". Don't ever try to con God. He knows your heart, and He knows your spirit. Seek Him, and you will find Him. Forsake Him, and He will cast you off forever. The choice is yours. Control your flesh, and have a passionately ready spirit to serve your Father. You will do fine. God will see to it.)
10 Take heed now; for the Lord has chosen you to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." (The 11th Sedar begins here, and ends with 2 Chron. 2:2. See Intro to 1 Sam.)
K s 11-. The pattern given by David.
t -11,12. The house and its parts.
u 13. The service of the house.
t 14-18. The house and it furniture.
s 19. The pattern given to David.
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, (same word as of Tabernacle to Moses Ex. 25:9,40. See Heb. 9:5)
and (for emphasis in vv.11-13) of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, (i.e. of the sanctuary) and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, (= propitiatory, see Ex. 25:17. Solomon would follow the instructions and successfully complete the Temple. Was Solomon perfect? No. But guess what, neither are we.)
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit [within me], (the pattern outside, and the worship inside, all of God. Nothing can be offered in worship but what comes from God [John 4:24]. Therefore said to be built by David in intention, and by Solomon in fact.) of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the attached chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the holy things: (= set apart. See Ex. 3:5)
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 lampstands of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every lampstand, and for the lamps thereof: and for the lampstands of silver by weight, both for the lampstand, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every lampstand.
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 covered bowls he gave gold by weight for every covered bowl; and likewise silver by weight for every covered bowl of silver:
18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot even 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, (see Deut. 31:7) and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with you; He will not fail you, (see Deut. 4:31; 31:6) nor forsake you, until you 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 you for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with you for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at your commandment." (Here is another important lesson for us to absorb. Not only will God utilize willing servants, He needs skillful servants, as well. How do you grow skillful? By studying His Word. Discipline yourself, and set the example for others.)