1 Chronicles 22:16

1 Chronicles 22:16 is part of King David's final instructions and encouragement to his son Solomon regarding the immense task of building the Temple in Jerusalem. David, prohibited by God from building the Temple himself due to his involvement in warfare, meticulously prepared vast quantities of materials and laid out the plans for Solomon.

Context

In 1 Chronicles 22, David gathers the leaders of Israel and publicly charges Solomon with the responsibility of constructing the Temple, a house for the name of the LORD. David has already amassed an extraordinary amount of resources—gold, silver, bronze, and iron—for this monumental project. He assures Solomon that the materials are beyond measure, signifying God's abundant provision for His work. The verse serves as a powerful exhortation, transitioning from the assurance of resources to the imperative of action, coupled with a divine promise.

Key Themes

• Abundant Provision: The phrase "Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number" emphasizes God's boundless resources and His willingness to provide everything necessary for accomplishing His will. This underscores that no task commanded by God is impossible due to lack of means.
• Call to Action and Diligence: "Arise therefore, and be doing" is a direct command for Solomon to begin the work with earnestness and commitment. It highlights the human responsibility to act upon divine provision and direction. This call to diligence is a recurring theme in scripture, emphasizing that faith is demonstrated through works (see James 2:17).
• Divine Presence and Empowerment: The concluding phrase, "and the LORD be with thee," is a profound promise of God's sustaining presence and active help. This assurance is crucial for undertaking any significant work for God, reminding Solomon, and us, that success ultimately depends on divine partnership, not just human effort. This echoes similar promises given to leaders like Joshua (see Joshua 1:9).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "no number" (אֵין מִסְפָּר, 'ein mispar) literally means "without counting" or "innumerable," powerfully conveying the immense quantity of materials David had prepared. The imperative "Arise" (קוּם, qum) is a common biblical call to action, often signifying readiness and initiation of a task. The phrase "be doing" (וַעֲשֵׂה, va'aseh) directly translates to "and do," emphasizing the active engagement required. The promise "the LORD be with thee" uses the common Hebrew formula for divine blessing and assurance of presence, a cornerstone of biblical encouragement.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 22:16 offers timeless encouragement for any undertaking, especially those serving God's purposes:

• Trust in God's Provision: Just as God provided for the Temple's construction, He provides for His work through His people. We can have confidence that if God calls us to a task, He will equip us with the necessary resources, whether material, spiritual, or intellectual. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• Embrace Action and Diligence: This verse calls us away from procrastination and towards active obedience. Once we discern God's will, the command is to "arise and be doing." Our faith should lead to diligent effort in areas like ministry, personal growth, or addressing societal needs.
• Rely on God's Presence: The ultimate assurance is that "the LORD be with thee." This promise transforms daunting tasks into achievable ones, reminding us that we do not labor in our own strength but through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. This divine partnership ensures that our efforts, when aligned with God's will, will not be in vain.