1 Chronicles 22 Study Notes: David Prepares for the Temple
David names the threshing floor as the future site of God’s house and gathers workers and vast materials for it. He tells Solomon that because David fought so many wars, God chose Solomon, a king of peace, to build it, and he urges Solomon and Israel’s leaders to obey and seek the LORD.
General
True or False: The LORD promised that He would be a Father to the son who built His house and would make his royal throne over Israel last forever.
Answer: True
This is true. David passed on to Solomon what the LORD had said: the son who would build God’s house would be God’s son, God would be a Father to him, and God would make his royal throne over Israel secure forever (22:10). This repeats the covenant promise God first gave David through Nathan (1 Chronicles 17:12-13); a covenant is a binding commitment God makes with His people. Solomon saw the promise begin to be fulfilled when he took his father’s place as king and completed the LORD’s temple (2 Chronicles 6:10). But the word forever looks beyond him: the angel told Mary that God would give Jesus David’s throne and that His kingdom would have no end (Luke 1:32-33).
- 1 Chronicles 22:10 (BSB)“He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’”God promises a Father-son relationship and an everlasting throne to David’s son.
- 1 Chronicles 17:12-13 (BSB)“He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And I will never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed it from your predecessor.”God first gave this promise to David through Nathan.
- 2 Chronicles 6:10 (BSB)“Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.”Solomon declares that the LORD kept His word: he took David’s throne and built the temple.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””Jesus receives David’s throne and an endless kingdom.
Theological
True or False: In 22:10 God promises a Father-son relationship with David’s heir and an everlasting throne over Israel.
Answer: True
This is true. David relayed to Solomon the LORD’s word that the son who built His house would be His son, that He would be a Father to him, and that He would make his royal throne over Israel secure forever (22:10). This restates the covenant first given through Nathan (1 Chronicles 17:12-13). Solomon saw its first fulfillment when he succeeded David and completed the house (2 Chronicles 6:10), but the everlasting throne reaches its goal in Christ, to whom God gives David’s throne and an endless reign (Luke 1:32-33).
- 1 Chronicles 22:10 (BSB)“He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’”God promises a Father-son relationship and an everlasting throne to David’s son.
- 1 Chronicles 17:12-13 (BSB)“He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And I will never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed it from your predecessor.”God first gave this promise to David through Nathan.
- 2 Chronicles 6:10 (BSB)“Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.”Solomon declares that the LORD kept His word: he took David’s throne and built the temple.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””Jesus receives David’s throne and an endless kingdom.
General
Why did David gather huge amounts of building materials before his death?
Answer: Solomon was young, and the temple had to be renowned
David gathered stonecutters, iron, bronze, and cedar in great quantities (22:2-4). He explained why: his son Solomon was young and untested, and the LORD’s house had to be magnificent, its fame and glory known in every land (22:5). So David prepared generously before he died. He said the same thing later to all the people gathered, adding that the building was meant for God, not for any human (1 Chronicles 29:1). Solomon himself confessed that he felt like a little child before the task of ruling (1 Kings 3:7).
- 1 Chronicles 22:5 (BSB)“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.”David explains why he must prepare materials before Solomon begins building.
- 1 Chronicles 29:1 (BSB)“Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.”David repeats to the assembly that Solomon is young and the work is great because it is for God.
- 1 Kings 3:7 (BSB)“And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.”Solomon himself admits his youth and inexperience as king.
Theological
What reasons did David give in 22:5 for preparing so much material in advance?
Answer: Solomon was young, and the temple had to be renowned
David amassed workers, metals, and cedar (22:2-4) because Solomon was young and untried, and the LORD’s house had to be splendid beyond measure, its fame and glory known among the nations (22:5). The same reasoning reappears before the assembly, where David stresses that the building is meant for God rather than any human (1 Chronicles 29:1), and Solomon himself acknowledged his youth and inadequacy for the throne (1 Kings 3:7).
- 1 Chronicles 22:5 (BSB)“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.”David explains why he must prepare materials before Solomon begins building.
- 1 Chronicles 29:1 (BSB)“Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.”David repeats to the assembly that Solomon is young and the work is great because it is for God.
- 1 Kings 3:7 (BSB)“And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.”Solomon himself admits his youth and inexperience as king.
General
Since the LORD had given Israel rest, what did David charge Israel’s leaders to do?
Answer: Seek the LORD their God with all their heart and being
David told the leaders to help Solomon. He reminded them that the LORD was with them and had given them rest all around, putting the land under David’s control (22:17-18). So they must seek the LORD their God with their whole heart and soul, and start building His sanctuary (22:19). Seeking the LORD, turning to Him in trust and obedience, is a repeated call in Chronicles (1 Chronicles 16:11; 28:9). Moses had promised that those who seek God with all their heart will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29).
- 1 Chronicles 22:18-19 (BSB)““Is not the LORD your God with you, and has He not granted you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people. Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.””David reminds the leaders of God’s gift of rest and calls them to seek Him.
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 (BSB)“Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”David’s psalm calls Israel to seek the LORD and His face always.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David later charges Solomon to seek the LORD, who will be found by him.
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (BSB)“But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”Those who seek God with all their heart will find Him.
Theological
What charge did David lay on Israel’s leaders in 22:18-19?
Answer: Seek the LORD their God with all their heart and being
Grounding the charge in grace already given, David reminded the leaders that the LORD was with them and had given them rest all around (22:18), and so called them to seek the LORD with their whole heart and soul and to start building His sanctuary (22:19). Seeking the LORD is a central theme of Chronicles (1 Chronicles 16:11; 28:9), resting on the promise that those who seek Him wholeheartedly will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29).
- 1 Chronicles 22:18-19 (BSB)““Is not the LORD your God with you, and has He not granted you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people. Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.””David reminds the leaders of God’s gift of rest and calls them to seek Him.
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 (BSB)“Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”David’s psalm calls Israel to seek the LORD and His face always.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David later charges Solomon to seek the LORD, who will be found by him.
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (BSB)“But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”Those who seek God with all their heart will find Him.
General
What purpose did David give for building the sanctuary?
Answer: So the ark and God’s holy articles could be placed in it
David told the leaders to build the sanctuary so that the ark of the covenant and God’s sacred objects could be brought into the house built for the LORD’s Name (22:19). The ark of the covenant was the sacred chest that held the tablets of God’s law and marked God’s presence among His people. When the temple was finished, the priests installed the ark in the Most Holy Place (2 Chronicles 5:7). The psalmist pictured this as the LORD arising with the ark to His resting place (Psalm 132:8).
- 1 Chronicles 22:19 (BSB)“Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.””David says the sanctuary is to house the ark and the holy articles of God.
- 2 Chronicles 5:7 (BSB)“Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.”The priests brought the ark into the Most Holy Place of the finished temple.
- Psalm 132:8 (BSB)“Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.”The psalm celebrates the LORD coming to His resting place with the ark.
Theological
According to 22:19, what was the purpose of building the sanctuary?
Answer: So the ark and God’s holy articles could be placed in it
The sanctuary was to receive the ark of the covenant and the holy vessels of God into the house built for the LORD’s Name (22:19), giving the symbol of God’s throne-presence a settled home. The priests later installed the ark in the Most Holy Place (2 Chronicles 5:7), the fulfillment celebrated in the psalm that calls on the LORD to arise to His resting place with the ark of His strength (Psalm 132:8).
- 1 Chronicles 22:19 (BSB)“Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Begin building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.””David says the sanctuary is to house the ark and the holy articles of God.
- 2 Chronicles 5:7 (BSB)“Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.”The priests brought the ark into the Most Holy Place of the finished temple.
- Psalm 132:8 (BSB)“Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.”The psalm celebrates the LORD coming to His resting place with the ark.
General
What did David declare about the threshing floor where God had answered him with fire?
Answer: It would be the place for God’s temple and Israel’s altar
Right after the LORD answered his sacrifice, David declared that this very place would be where God’s house would stand, along with Israel’s altar for burnt offerings (22:1). The place of judgment and mercy became the place of worship. Moses had told Israel that once God gave them rest, He would choose a place for His Name where they would bring their offerings (Deuteronomy 12:10-11). Solomon later built the temple exactly there, on Ornan’s threshing floor on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1).
- 1 Chronicles 22:1 (BSB)“Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God, as well as the altar of burnt offering for Israel.””David names the threshing floor as the site of God’s house and Israel’s altar.
- Deuteronomy 12:10-11 (BSB)“When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely, then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.”God promised to choose one place for His Name where Israel would bring its offerings.
- 2 Chronicles 3:1 (BSB)“Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.”Solomon built the temple on the very threshing floor David had prepared.
Theological
What did David announce in 22:1 concerning the site of Ornan’s threshing floor?
Answer: It would be the place for God’s temple and Israel’s altar
Immediately after the LORD’s answer by fire, David identified the threshing floor as the site of God’s house and of Israel’s altar for burnt offerings (22:1). The site of judgment averted by sacrifice became the place of Israel’s worship. This answers the promise that, once Israel had rest, the LORD would pick out one place to bear His Name, to which all offerings would be brought (Deuteronomy 12:10-11), and Solomon duly built the temple on Mount Moriah, on Ornan’s threshing floor (2 Chronicles 3:1).
- 1 Chronicles 22:1 (BSB)“Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God, as well as the altar of burnt offering for Israel.””David names the threshing floor as the site of God’s house and Israel’s altar.
- Deuteronomy 12:10-11 (BSB)“When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely, then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.”God promised to choose one place for His Name where Israel would bring its offerings.
- 2 Chronicles 3:1 (BSB)“Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.”Solomon built the temple on the very threshing floor David had prepared.
General
What did the LORD promise about the son who would build His house?
Answer: He would be a peaceful king, with rest from every enemy
The LORD promised David a son who would be a peaceful king. God would grant him freedom from his surrounding enemies, and Israel would enjoy calm and safety while he ruled; his name would be Solomon (22:9). God kept this promise. In Solomon’s days Israel lived securely, each family safe at its own vine and fig tree (1 Kings 4:24-25), and Solomon could say that the LORD had given him rest all around (1 Kings 5:4). At the temple’s dedication he praised God because not one of His good promises had failed (1 Kings 8:56).
- 1 Chronicles 22:9 (BSB)“But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.”God promises a son of rest and peace who will be named Solomon.
- 1 Kings 4:24-25 (BSB)“For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates—over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides. Throughout the days of Solomon, Judah and Israel dwelt securely from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree.”Solomon’s reign brought peace and security throughout Israel.
- 1 Kings 5:4 (BSB)“But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.”Solomon himself testifies that the LORD gave him rest on every side.
- 1 Kings 8:56 (BSB)““Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.”Solomon praises God for keeping every promise of rest.
Theological
How does 22:9 describe the son who would build the temple and his reign?
Answer: He would be a peaceful king, with rest from every enemy
The LORD promised a son who would know rest, freed from all surrounding enemies, during whose reign Israel would have peace and quiet; his name would be Solomon (22:9). The fulfillment is recorded in Kings: peace all around and security throughout the land (1 Kings 4:24-25), rest with no adversary (1 Kings 5:4), and Solomon’s confession that not one of God’s good promises had failed (1 Kings 8:56).
- 1 Chronicles 22:9 (BSB)“But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.”God promises a son of rest and peace who will be named Solomon.
- 1 Kings 4:24-25 (BSB)“For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates—over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides. Throughout the days of Solomon, Judah and Israel dwelt securely from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree.”Solomon’s reign brought peace and security throughout Israel.
- 1 Kings 5:4 (BSB)“But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.”Solomon himself testifies that the LORD gave him rest on every side.
- 1 Kings 8:56 (BSB)““Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.”Solomon praises God for keeping every promise of rest.
General
Above all else, what did David pray the LORD would give Solomon, and for what purpose?
Answer: Wisdom and discernment, so he would obey God’s law
David blessed Solomon, praying that the LORD would be with him. Above all, he prayed that God would give Solomon wisdom and discernment, so that he would keep God’s law (22:11-12). Solomon’s success would depend on carefully obeying the decrees and rulings God gave through Moses. So David told him to be strong and brave, not afraid or discouraged (22:13). God had said much the same to Joshua (Joshua 1:7-8), and David gave Solomon the same charge again near his death (1 Kings 2:3). Later Solomon himself asked God for an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9).
- 1 Chronicles 22:12-13 (BSB)“Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God. Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”David prays for Solomon’s understanding and ties his success to keeping God’s law.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (BSB)“Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.”God told Joshua to be strong and to obey the law so that he would prosper.
- 1 Kings 2:3 (BSB)“And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,”David repeats to Solomon that keeping God’s law is the way to prosper.
- 1 Kings 3:9 (BSB)“Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?””Solomon himself asks God for an understanding heart to rule.
Theological
What did David name in 22:12-13 as the chief gift Solomon needed and the condition of his success?
Answer: Wisdom and discernment, so he would obey God’s law
David’s chief petition for Solomon was that the LORD would grant him insight and understanding so that he would obey God’s law (22:12); his prosperity depended on careful obedience to the decrees and rulings given through Moses, and so he must stand firm and take courage, unafraid and undismayed (22:13). The charge echoes the LORD’s words to Joshua (Joshua 1:7-8), is renewed in David’s final charge (1 Kings 2:3), and is answered in Solomon’s own request for an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9).
- 1 Chronicles 22:12-13 (BSB)“Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God. Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”David prays for Solomon’s understanding and ties his success to keeping God’s law.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (BSB)“Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.”God told Joshua to be strong and to obey the law so that he would prosper.
- 1 Kings 2:3 (BSB)“And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,”David repeats to Solomon that keeping God’s law is the way to prosper.
- 1 Kings 3:9 (BSB)“Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?””Solomon himself asks God for an understanding heart to rule.
General
According to David, why did the LORD say that he must not be the one to build His house?
Answer: He was a warrior who had spilled much blood in battle
David told Solomon that he had long wanted to build the LORD a temple, but the LORD said no. David had spilled a great deal of blood and fought great wars, so much blood spilled on the earth in God’s sight that he was not to build the house (22:7-8). David gave the same reason again before the assembly, calling himself a warrior (1 Chronicles 28:3). These were wars in which the LORD had given David victory in every campaign (1 Chronicles 18:13), yet the LORD chose a son who would know rest to build His house (22:9). Solomon later explained that the wars around David had kept him from building until the LORD gave rest (1 Kings 5:3-4).
- 1 Chronicles 22:7-8 (BSB)““My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, but this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me.”David tells Solomon why the LORD did not allow him to build the house.
- 1 Chronicles 28:3 (BSB)“but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.’”David gives the same reason again before the assembly.
- 1 Chronicles 18:13 (BSB)“He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”The LORD Himself gave David victory in his wars.
- 1 Kings 5:3-4 (BSB)““As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.”Solomon notes that wars kept David from building until God gave rest.
Theological
What reason does 22:8 give for God’s refusal to let David build the temple?
Answer: He was a warrior who had spilled much blood in battle
David reports the LORD’s word that he must not build His house because he had poured out great bloodshed on the earth in God’s sight and fought major wars (22:7-8; compare 1 Chronicles 28:3). The LORD Himself had given David victory in every campaign (1 Chronicles 18:13); nonetheless He appointed a son who would know rest to build His house (22:9), and Solomon later explained that the wars around David kept him from building until the LORD gave rest from all enemies (1 Kings 5:3-4).
- 1 Chronicles 22:7-8 (BSB)““My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, but this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me.”David tells Solomon why the LORD did not allow him to build the house.
- 1 Chronicles 28:3 (BSB)“but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.’”David gives the same reason again before the assembly.
- 1 Chronicles 18:13 (BSB)“He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”The LORD Himself gave David victory in his wars.
- 1 Kings 5:3-4 (BSB)““As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.”Solomon notes that wars kept David from building until God gave rest.