Gifts For Building The Temple
August 25, 2021
Commentary
Turning to the crowd once again, David appeals to them for assistance and support for Solomon because of his youth and lack of experience (vv. 1-5). This temple, he stressed, was not for a mere human but for the almighty God. The task was great and required a great amount of material. David asked them to give liberally to assist in the building of a temple worthy of God. David did not ask the people to do what he himself was not willing to do. He donated an enormous private gift from his own fortune (v. 3). Because of his own example, he asked for a similar response on their part (vv. 3-5). Sparked by the generosity of the king, the leaders of Israel did respond by matching his spirit of giving. The offering was given to Jehiel, a guardian of the treasury, for safekeeping (v. 8). Overwhelmed by the willingness of the people to give, David also rejoiced greatly (v.9).
David sang praises to the Lord (v. 10). The God of Israel was to be praised forever for His greatness, power, glory, majesty, and victory (v. 11). Riches and honor come from the Lord, and He rules with strength and power (v. 12). David thanked and praised the Lord for His attributes (v. 13). Anything we have belongs to Him and anything we give back to Him is already His (v. 14). We are foreigners living here on earth for a while, just like our ancestors (v. 15). Like a shadow, we will suddenly disappear, and there is no hope or expectation remaining. David told the Lord how they had brought all these things to build a temple to honor Him (v. 16). They were happy because everyone had voluntarily and freely given these things to God (v. 17). David asked the Lord to help them be faithful to Him just as their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob faithfully worshiped Him (v. 18). He also desired that Solomon would completely obey His laws and teachings and have a desire to build the temple (v. 19). David then told the people that it was their turn to praise the Lord (v. 20). They bowed low and knelt before the Lord and the king.
Application
I need to have the same understanding as David did about giving, that being, that anything I ever give to God is merely returning to Him what is already His.
1 Chronicles 29:1– 20 (NET)
1 King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man, and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. 2 So I have made every effort to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster. 3 Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple. 4 This includes 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, 5 for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the Lord today?”
6 The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly. 7 They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 All who possessed precious stones donated them to the treasury of the Lord’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; King David was also very happy.
10 David praised the Lord before the entire assembly:
11 O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You, Lord, have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all. 12 You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!
14 “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours. 15 For we are resident foreigners and temporary settlers in your presence, as all our ancestors were; our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security. 16 O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you. 18 O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, always maintain these motives of your people and keep them devoted to you. 19 Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”
20 David told the entire assembly: “Praise the Lord your God!” So the entire assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors; they bowed down and stretched out flat on the ground before the Lord and the king.