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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 22 verses 1–5
Here is, I. The place fixed for the building of the temple (Ch1 22:1): Then David said, by inspiration of God, and as a declaration of his mind, This is the house of the Lord God. If a temple must be built for God, it is fit that it be left to him to choose the ground, for all the earth is his; and this is the ground he makes choice of - ground that pertained to a Jebusite, and perhaps there was not a spot of ground besides, in or about Jerusalem, that did so - a happy presage of the setting up of the gospel temple among the Gentiles. See Act 15:16, Act 15:17. The ground was a threshing-floor; for the church of the living God is his floor, his threshing, and the corn of his floor, Isa 21:10. Christ's fan is in his hand, thoroughly to purge his floor. This is to be the house because this is the altar. The temple was built for the sake of the altar. There were altars long before there were temples.
II. Preparation made for that building. David must not build it, but he would do all he could towards it: He prepared abundantly before his death, Ch1 22:5. This intimates that the consideration of his age and growing infirmities, which showed him his death approaching, quickened him, towards his latter end, to be very diligent in making this preparation. What our hands find to do for God, and our souls, and our generation, let us do it with all our might before our death, because, after death, there is no device nor working. Now we are here told,
1.What induced him to make such preparation. Two things he considered: - (1.) That Solomon was young and tender, and not likely to apply with any great vigour to this business at first; so that, unless he found the wheels set a-going, he would be in danger of losing a great deal of time at first, the rather because, being young, he would be tempted to put it off; whereas, if he found the materials got ready to his hand, the most difficult part of the work would be over, and this would excite and encourage him to go about it in the beginnings of his reign. Note, Those that are aged and experienced should consider those that are young and tender, and provide them what help they can, that they may make the work of God as easy to them as possible. (2.) That the house must be exceedingly magnificent, very stately and sumptuous, strong and beautiful, every thing about it the best in its kind, and for a good reason, since it was intended for the honour of the great God, the Lord of the whole earth, and was to be a type of Christ, in whom all fulness dwells and in whom are hid all treasures. Men were then to be taught by sensible methods. The grandeur of the house would help to affect the worshippers with a holy awe and reverence of God, and would invite strangers to come to see it, and the wonder of the world, who thereby would be brought acquainted with the true God. Therefore it is here designed to be of fame and glory throughout all countries. David foretold this good effect of its being magnificent, Psa 68:29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
2.What preparation he made. In general, he prepared abundantly, as we shall find afterwards; cedar and stones, iron and brass, are here specified, Ch1 22:2-4. Cedar he had from the Tyrians and the Zidonians. The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, Psa 45:12. He also got workmen together, the strangers that were in the land of Israel. Some think that he employed them because they were generally better artists, and more ingenious in manual operations, than the Israelites; or, rather, because he would not employ the free-born Israelites in any thing that looked mean and servile. They were delivered from the bondage of making bricks in Egypt, and must not return to hew stone. These strangers were proselytes to the Jewish religion, but, though not enslaved, they were not of equal dignity with Israelites.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 22:1 records a pivotal declaration by King David, identifying the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite as the divinely appointed and consecrated site for the future Temple of the LORD God and its central altar for burnt offerings. This momentous pronouncement immediately follows a devastating plague halted by divine intervention, signifying the sacredness of the location and initiating David's extensive, Spirit-led preparations for the construction of God's permanent dwelling place in Jerusalem, a task he would delegate to his son Solomon.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse serves as a crucial transition point, immediately following the dramatic and somber events of 1 Chronicles 21. In the preceding chapter, David's unauthorized census provoked divine wrath, leading to a severe plague that decimated Israel. The plague was mercifully halted when David, under the direct instruction of the prophet Gad, purchased the threshing floor of Ornan (also known as Araunah in 2 Samuel 24) and built an altar there. Upon David's offering of burnt offerings and peace offerings, fire miraculously descended from heaven, consuming the sacrifice and signifying God's acceptance and the cessation of the plague. David's declaration in 1 Chronicles 22:1 thus transforms a site of judgment, repentance, and atonement into the permanent, divinely sanctioned location for the central place of worship for all Israel. It marks a shift from crisis and divine judgment to a renewed focus on God's presence and the establishment of His dwelling among His people, setting the stage for the detailed preparations described in the remainder of 1 Chronicles 22.
Historical & Cultural Context: The concept of a central sanctuary was deeply embedded in Israelite worship, evolving from the portable Tabernacle in the wilderness to the vision of a more permanent structure. Jerusalem, recently captured and established as David's capital, held immense strategic and symbolic significance as the city of David. The threshing floor, typically an open, elevated space for winnowing grain, was a common feature outside ancient cities, often serving as a public gathering place. Ornan, a Jebusite, represented a remnant of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem, and David's honorable purchase of the land, refusing to take it for free, underscored his integrity and the sacredness of the transaction. The miraculous act of God sending fire to consume the sacrifice was a powerful and unmistakable sign of divine approval, reminiscent of the dedication of the Tabernacle (Leviticus 9:24) and Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38). This divine endorsement solidified the location's status as holy ground, preparing the nation for a new era of centralized worship under God's chosen king, a pivotal moment in the history of Israelite religion.
Key Themes: 1 Chronicles 22:1 powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Books of Chronicles. Firstly, Divine Sovereignty and Guidance is profoundly evident; the designation of the Temple site was not a human decision but a direct divine appointment, confirmed by a miraculous sign. This emphasizes that the Temple's foundation was rooted in God's will, not human ambition. Secondly, David's Piety and Obedience are highlighted. Despite being personally forbidden to build the Temple due to his involvement in warfare (1 Chronicles 22:8), David immediately recognizes and acts upon God's clear sign, dedicating himself to the extensive preparations detailed in the remainder of 1 Chronicles 22 and 1 Chronicles 29. Thirdly, the verse underscores the Centrality of Worship and Atonement for Israel. By identifying the location for both the "house of the LORD God" and the "altar of the burnt offering," David emphasizes that the Temple's primary function would be to facilitate the sacrificial system, which was foundational for maintaining the covenant relationship and achieving atonement for sin, as meticulously prescribed in Leviticus 1 through Leviticus 7. This established the enduring spiritual purpose of the future Temple.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant Literary Devices. The most prominent is Declaration, as David makes a definitive, authoritative statement about the sacred purpose of the site. This declaration serves as a powerful Foreshadowing of the Temple's construction, which will be carried out by his son Solomon, but is initiated here by David's vision and extensive preparations. There is also a strong element of Symbolism: the threshing floor, once a place of agricultural labor and then divine judgment, is transformed into a potent symbol of divine grace, atonement, and the future center of Israel's spiritual life. The "house of the LORD God" and the "altar of the burnt offering" are themselves profound Symbols of God's presence, the centrality of worship, and the necessity of atonement for sin. The concise and direct nature of David's statement lends it an air of Authority and Divine Mandate, reflecting the gravity of the moment and the clear divine sign that preceded it, establishing the site's enduring sanctity.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 22:1 is profoundly theological, marking the transition from a mobile, temporary sanctuary (the Tabernacle) to a fixed, permanent dwelling place for God's presence in Israel. This shift underscores God's desire for a stable, central location for His people to gather, worship, and seek atonement, reflecting His enduring covenant faithfulness and His commitment to dwelling among them. The divine designation of the site, confirmed by fire from heaven, emphasizes that true worship is not based on human preference or architectural ingenuity but on divine revelation and acceptance. It highlights the crucial principle that access to God and the means of atonement are divinely provided, not humanly contrived. The verse also sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to David concerning his dynasty and the building of a "house" for God, even though David himself would not build the physical structure, demonstrating God's sovereign plan unfolding through His chosen servants.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's immediate and decisive declaration in 1 Chronicles 22:1, following God's dramatic intervention, serves as a powerful reminder of how we, as believers, should respond when God makes His will clear. It is not enough to merely acknowledge divine revelation; true faith compels us to act, to consecrate places, resources, and ourselves for God's purposes. While we no longer build physical temples for God to dwell in—for believers are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and the Church is the temple of the living God—the principle of designated sacred space remains. This can manifest as our personal prayer closet, a dedicated time for devotion, or the corporate gathering of believers for worship and fellowship. The emphasis on the "altar of the burnt offering" also points us to the necessity of complete surrender and atonement. For us, this means embracing the finished work of Christ on the cross and living lives of complete dedication to Him, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Our worship, like David's response, should be marked by intentionality, reverence, and a deep understanding of God's holiness and His gracious provision for our reconciliation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was this specific location chosen for the Temple?
Answer: The location was chosen not by human design or preference but by divine designation, confirmed through a miraculous sign. In 1 Chronicles 21, David's sinful census led to a devastating plague upon Israel. When David, at the prophet Gad's instruction, built an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite and offered sacrifices, fire miraculously came down from heaven to consume them, and the plague immediately ceased. This divine intervention confirmed the site as divinely chosen and sacred, marking it as the precise place where God's judgment was appeased and His presence was revealed in acceptance. David's declaration in 1 Chronicles 22:1 formally recognized and affirmed this divine selection, establishing it as the permanent site for the future Temple.
What is the significance of "the altar of the burnt offering"?
Answer: The "altar of the burnt offering" (Hebrew: mizbeach ha'olah) was the primary altar in the Tabernacle and later the Temple where the ʻôlâh or whole burnt offering was made. This specific sacrifice was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication, consecration, and atonement for general, unintentional sins. Its prominent mention in David's declaration underscores the foundational role of sacrifice and atonement in Israel's worship and their covenant relationship with God. It signifies that the Temple's central purpose would be to facilitate the divinely ordained means by which Israel could approach a holy God, receive forgiveness for their sins, and maintain fellowship with Him, as meticulously detailed in Leviticus 1. It was the place of reconciliation and purification for the nation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 22:1, with its designation of a permanent "house of the LORD God" and "altar of the burnt offering," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David's declaration pointed to a physical structure where God's presence would symbolically dwell and atonement would be made through animal sacrifices, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Himself is the true and ultimate Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity (John 2:19-21). He is the embodiment of God's presence, the place where heaven and earth meet. Furthermore, Jesus is the perfect and final "burnt offering," whose single, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross completely atoned for the sins of the world, rendering all animal sacrifices obsolete (Hebrews 10:10-14). The fire from heaven that consumed David's sacrifice on Ornan's threshing floor powerfully foreshadows the divine acceptance of Christ's perfect offering, which opened the way for direct and confident access to God for all who believe (Hebrews 4:16). Thus, the sacred space and sacrificial system envisioned by David are not merely historical relics but profound types pointing to Jesus, through whom God fully dwells with His people and provides eternal, complete atonement.