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1 Chronicles 28

1 Chronicles 28 records King David’s final address to the leaders of Israel and his son Solomon. David expresses his deep desire to build a temple for the Lord but explains that God chose Solomon for this task. David gives Solomon detailed plans for the temple, all revealed by God, and encourages him to be strong and courageous. The chapter highlights God's sovereignty, the importance of obedience, and the collective effort required to build the temple, with Solomon receiving support from Israel’s leaders, priests, and craftsmen.

1 Chronicles 28:1 (NKJV)
1 Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor.

David gathers the nation's leadership in Jerusalem, including tribal leaders, military captains, and stewards of royal possessions. This assembly reflects the importance of the occasion. David, near the end of his reign, wants to address the nation’s future, particularly in relation to the construction of the temple, which he won’t build but will pass on to his son Solomon.

1 Chronicles 28:2-5 (NKJV)
2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.
3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.’
4 However, the Lord God of Israel chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has 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 was pleased with 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 my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel."

David explains his desire to build a temple for God, a place of rest for the Ark of the Covenant. However, God forbids him due to his background as a warrior who shed blood. Still, David emphasizes God's choice of him as king and Solomon as his successor. This underscores God’s sovereignty in selecting leaders and His plan for Solomon to build the temple.

1 Chronicles 28:6 (NKJV)
6 Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father.’

David shares that God has specifically chosen Solomon to build His temple, establishing a unique father-son relationship between God and Solomon. This divine approval further legitimizes Solomon’s future role and task, showing that this wasn’t merely David’s decision but God’s will.

1 Chronicles 28:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’
8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever."

God’s promise to establish Solomon’s kingdom comes with a condition—obedience to His commandments. David calls upon the leaders of Israel to be faithful to God’s laws so that they may retain the land and ensure its inheritance for future generations. This demonstrates the conditional nature of God's promises, tied to obedience and faithfulness.

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (NKJV)
9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”

David gives Solomon a personal charge to know and serve God wholeheartedly. He emphasizes that God knows the heart and motives and encourages Solomon to seek Him diligently. David warns that forsaking God will lead to rejection, but remaining faithful ensures His favor. Solomon’s task of building the temple is affirmed, and David urges him to be strong and courageous in carrying it out.

1 Chronicles 28:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat;
12 and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things.

David hands over the detailed plans for the temple to Solomon. These plans include all the sections and structures of the temple, as well as the treasuries. David attributes these plans to divine guidance, indicating that the temple’s design is not merely a human creation but inspired by God’s Spirit.

1 Chronicles 28:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and for all the articles of service in the house of the Lord.
14 He gave gold by weight for things of gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; also silver for all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service.

David provides Solomon with instructions for organizing the priests and Levites for temple service, as well as specifying the gold and silver needed for the articles used in worship. This level of detail emphasizes the importance of proper preparation and the sacredness of the temple’s service.

1 Chronicles 28:15-16 (NKJV)
15 the weight for the lampstands of gold and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand.
16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of the showbread, for each table, and silver for the tables of silver.

David continues to outline the specifications for the temple’s furnishings, including the lampstands and tables. Each item’s weight is carefully determined, ensuring that the temple’s construction and its articles meet the requirements for proper worship and service to God.

1 Chronicles 28:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Also pure gold for the forks, the basins, the pitchers of pure gold, and the golden bowls—he gave gold by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls, silver by weight for every bowl;
18 and refined gold by weight for the altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

David provides gold and silver for every utensil and furnishing within the temple, including the altar of incense and the cherubim that overshadow the Ark of the Covenant. These details highlight the holiness of the temple and its importance as a place where God’s presence dwells among His people.

1 Chronicles 28:19 (NKJV)
19 “All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.”

David acknowledges that all the detailed plans he gave to Solomon were divinely revealed to him by God. This emphasizes that the temple’s design and its services are based on God’s direction, not human wisdom.

1 Chronicles 28:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”

David encourages Solomon once more to be strong and courageous in the task of building the temple, assuring him that God’s presence will remain with him throughout the process. He also reminds Solomon that the priests, Levites, craftsmen, and leaders will assist him in this great work, ensuring that the temple’s construction will be a collective effort of Israel’s leadership and people.

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