David’s Instructions to Solomon
November 16, 2020
Commentary
During David’s last sickness, many chief priests and Levites were at Jerusalem. David called a meeting for all of Israel’s leaders, including the tribal leaders, the government officials, the army commanders, the officials in charge of the royal property, the palace officials, and the brave warriors (v. 1). He spoke of his wanting to build a temple for God, and how God prevented it from happening because he killed too many people in battle (vv. 2-3). He explained how the Lord chose Judah to be the leading tribe in Israel and from that tribe he chose his father’s family, and from that family, he chose him to be the king of Israel, and his descendants to rule as kings (v. 4).
David told the people how the LORD had blessed him with many sons, but He chose Solomon to be the next king of Israel and the one to build the temple (vv. 5-6). He told them about God’s gracious purposes concerning Solomon, how if he continued to obey God’s laws and commands, his kingdom would never end (v. 7). He told them they were the LORD’s people and how he wanted them to promise that they would do their best to obey everything the LORD God has commanded (v. 8). Then this land would always belong to them and to their descendants. He then turned to Solomon and said, “My son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done (v. 9). He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever. The LORD has chosen you to build a temple for worshiping him. Be confident and do the work you have been assigned” (v. 10).
Application
Just as in Solomon’s life, obedience to God and His Word is to be the key focus in my Christian life. David did a great deal of service in His day and served his generation according to the will of God (Acts 13:36). I know that if my life is going to please God I must be obedient to His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. Lord, help me to be faithful.
1 Chronicles 28:1– 10 (NET)
1 David assembled in Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, including the commanders of the tribes, the commanders of the army divisions that served the king, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, the officials who were in charge of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, the eunuchs, and the warriors, including the most skilled of them.
2 King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a temple where the ark of the Lord’s covenant could be placed as a footstool for our God. I have made the preparations for building it. 3 But God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor me, for you are a warrior and have spilled blood.’ 4 The Lord God of Israel chose me out of my father’s entire family to become king over Israel and have a permanent dynasty. Indeed, he chose Judah as leader, and my father’s family within Judah, and then he picked me out from among my father’s sons and made me king over all Israel. 5 From all the many sons the Lord has given me, he chose Solomon my son to rule on his behalf over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom permanently, if he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations, as you are doing this day.’ 8 So now, in the sight of all Israel, the Lord’s assembly, and in the hearing of our God, I say this: Carefully observe all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may possess this good land and may leave it as a permanent inheritance for your children after you.
9 “And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently. 10 Realize now that the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do it!”