David, had a long association with God, who had never forsaken him, from when as a young man, with nothing, he was forced to flee from King Saul, who out of jealousy sort to kill him; on into his 40 years of being a king. Because of his love for God, he had wanted to build Him a beautiful building, instead of the tent temple, in which people came to worship and praise, the Lord of heaven.
David prepared everything he could think of for the building of a permanent temple and the Israelite people had given much of their personal treasure, so that the temple could be fine and beautiful; and they were glad to do so. God gave precise instructions to David, as to why he personally was not to build a permanent temple; and about whom he was to pick to do so and why.
David contented himself, with preparing all the plans and materials, for God’s chosen successor to the Israelite throne to build the temple. 1 Chronicles 22: 5 “Now David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.’ So David made abundant preparations before his death.” The time had arrived for David to tell his successor in more detail all the preparation he had made, as well as God’s instructions and His promised future blessings and care for faithfulness. 1 Chronicles 22 6 – 10 “Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; but the word of the Lord came to me, saying ‘you have shed much blood and made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name…….”
David knew from whence his help and strength and help had always come, and so he advises his son, V 12, 13 “ Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfil the statues and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
In his words, David continues to show his love and desire to always be obedient to God and that he had been mightily led and saved by God during many difficult times. Therefore David reassured Solomon that if he allowed and was faithful, God would also be his source of strength ,wisdom and salvation. 1 Chronicles 28:19, 20 “All this,” said David, ‘the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.’ 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-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.’”
I am thankful, that we can apply many of these promises from God, spoken to Solomon by his earthly father, to ourselves, in many different places, when we also are faithfully obeying God, and undertaking whatever He asks us to do. That of course can be doing many different things for God, and others, as we follow God’s scriptural instructions, and love Him supremely.
Hear us dear Lord above, we as also give You praise with David’s words: 1 Chronicles 29: 11 “Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.” 1 Timothy 1: 17 “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, honour and glory forever and ever. Amen”