May 15 2019 - 1 Chronicles 22 – David's preparations for the temple

David is now back in Jerusalem and is getting old. Years before he had wanted to build a house for the Lord but had been told by the Lord through the prophet Nathan that he would not build such a temple; his son, Solomon would build the temple in Jerusalem.

David may not have been allowed to build the temple but he is keen to do all that he can to prepare for its building; "David said, ‘My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendour in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.’ So David made extensive preparations before his death" (v. 5).

David then instructed his son Solomon concerning the preparations he had made for the temple and what was required of Solomon in building it. He also called on the leaders of Israel to help Solomon.

David had not been allowed to build the temple because he had shed much blood and fought many wars (v. 8). God said that David's son would, "be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, [a name meaning peace] and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 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 for ever" (vv. 9-10). 

Our Lord Jesus is the one whom God has owned as his own beloved son. He is the one who has fought the final war against Satan, sin and death and has triumphed over them. He has entered into his rest: he is the Prince of Peace.

The elaborate preparations for the temple in Jerusalem seem impressive. The third temple built by Herod seemed impressive to Jesus' disciples. But Jesus said that the temple they so much admired would be destroyed. He was going to build a more magnificent and eternal temple. That temple is the risen Saviour himself and the community of his people among whom he dwells. Jesus, the Prince of Peace is building a great temple of living stones in which his glory will be displayed.

And Jesus calls us not only to enjoy the peace and rest he gives us but also to be active in building this temple – as the leaders in Israel were called to help Solomon. We are to be careful how we build. We are to seek to add new living stones to this temple by calling upon others to come and find rest for their souls and peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to build up one another in knowledge of Christ and likeness of him, that Christ's glory may be displayed in his temple. We are to be careful never to do damage to this temple – never to tear apart what Christ is constructing: "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives among you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – see vv. 10-17 of that chapter).

Solomon had a serious task to perform in building a temple for the Lord. To perform this task, David tells him that he needs to, "devote [his] heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God" (v.19). The Lord Jesus calls us to similar heart and soul devotion to him that we might be useful and effective in building his kingdom.

Father God, we thank you for the Lord Jesus, through whose death and resurrection we have been given peace with you and welcomed into the rest enjoyed by Christ himself. Help us by your Spirit to be effective and consistent master builders until the earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

Peter Misselbrook