1 Chronicles Chapter 22

At a Glance

  • Chapter 22 focuses on David’s preparations for the temple project and the transition of responsibility to his son Solomon.
  • David’s charge to Solomon emphasizes wisdom, obedience to the Law, and careful diligence in guardianship of the people.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Chronicles presents David’s reign as a model for post-exilic readers, centering temple worship and divine sovereignty.
  • - Preparation for worship: gathering materials and planning for the temple.

Chapter Overview

Chapter 22 focuses on David’s preparations for the temple project and the transition of responsibility to his son Solomon. David declares, "This is the house of the LORD God," and begins gathering materials, manpower, and resources to build God’s house. He gathers skilled craftsmen, iron and brass, cedar wood from Tyre, and large quantities of stone, signaling a comprehensive, nation-spanning mobilization for a sacred enterprise. The chapter also records David’s spiritual and strategic decision: although he longs to build the temple himself, the word of the LORD comes to him saying that because of his bloodshed, the builder shall be his son Solomon, who will rest from enemies and whose name will be associated with peace. God promises to establish Solomon’s throne forever and to be a father to the king’s son.

David’s charge to Solomon emphasizes wisdom, obedience to the Law, and careful diligence in guardianship of the people. The king blesses Solomon, prays for divine guidance, and exhorts him to remain faithful to the LORD as he undertakes the monumental task of erecting a house for God. The chapter concludes with practical instructions: the necessity of wisdom, discipline, and fidelity to the covenant to ensure the success of the temple project, and with a vision of peace and divine favor resting on Solomon’s era.

Historical & Literary Context

Chronicles presents David’s reign as a model for post-exilic readers, centering temple worship and divine sovereignty. Chapter 22 functions as a hinge between David’s era and Solomon’s, highlighting how preparatory steps and divine sanction enable the temple’s actual construction. The material emphasizes sacred space, ritual order, and the national task of worship, aligning with Chronicles’ theological agenda: Israel’s true purpose centers on worship in God’s presence.

Key Themes

- Preparation for worship: gathering materials and planning for the temple.

- God’s priorities over human ambition: Solomon’s leadership, not David’s building, fulfills the divine plan.

- Family legacy and obedience: David’s instruction to Solomon anchors the coming temple era.

- Divine blessing and governance: God’s promise to establish Solomon and his throne.

Modern Application

- Strategic planning for worship: modern faith communities can learn the value of long-term preparation—finances, leadership development, and infrastructure—before significant ministry milestones.

- Honoring pastoral succession: the trust David places in Solomon models healthy leadership transitions within a faith community.

- Prioritizing divine purpose over personal ambition: even when fully capable, leaders are invited to align their plans with God’s purposes rather than personal glory.

- Resource stewardship: the gathering of abundant materials is a metaphor for generous and faithful stewardship.

Cross-References: 3-5 related passages

- 2 Samuel 7: God’s covenant with David and the temple project’s blessing.

- 1 Chronicles 28-29: David’s encouragement of Solomon and the preparation for building the temple.

- 1 Kings 5-6: Solomon’s temple construction (parallel material).

- Exodus 25-27: early temple design and divine instruction.

Recommended Personas

- David: for legacy-building and reorienting ambition toward worship.

- Solomon: for wisdom, planning, and governance in a temple-building era.

- A temple priestly figure (Ezra-like) for the worship-centered perspective.

Chapter Text

1

Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.

2

And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

3

And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

4

Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

5

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

6

Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

7

And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:

8

But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

9

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

10

He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

11

Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

12

Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

13

Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

14

Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

15

Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

16

Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

17

David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,

18

Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.

19

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

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