1 Chronicles 22:6

¶ Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

Then he called {H7121} for Solomon {H8010} his son {H1121}, and charged {H6680} him to build {H1129} an house {H1004} for the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}.

Then he summoned Shlomo his son and charged him to build a house for ADONAI, the God of Isra'el.

Then David called for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.

Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

1 Chronicles 22:6 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as King David, nearing the end of his life, formally entrusts his son Solomon with the monumental task of building the Temple in Jerusalem. For decades, the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence, had resided in a tent (2 Samuel 7:2), and David had long harbored a deep desire to construct a permanent, magnificent "house" for the LORD. However, God had revealed through the prophet Nathan that David, a "man of war" (1 Chronicles 22:8), would not be the one to build it. Instead, the task would fall to his son, Solomon, a "man of rest" (1 Chronicles 22:9). This verse highlights David's obedience to God's will and his meticulous preparation, ensuring the project's success even though he wouldn't complete it himself.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Mandate and Succession: The building of the Temple was not merely a human ambition but a divinely ordained project. David's charge to Solomon underscores the transfer of a sacred responsibility, ensuring God's plan would be fulfilled through the next generation. It emphasizes the importance of passing on spiritual legacies and tasks.
  • Preparation and Foresight: Though David was forbidden to build the Temple, he devoted immense resources and effort to prepare for its construction. He gathered vast quantities of materials—iron, bronze, timber, and stone—and organized the Levites and priests (1 Chronicles 22:14). This demonstrates a profound commitment to God's work, even when one cannot see the completion of it.
  • The "House for the LORD": This phrase signifies more than just a physical building; it represents the central place of worship, sacrifice, and the manifestation of God's presence among His people. It was to be a symbol of Israel's covenant relationship with the "LORD God of Israel."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "charged him" translates from the Hebrew verb tsavah (צוה), which means to command, ordain, or instruct with authority. This isn't a mere suggestion but a solemn, authoritative injunction from a dying king to his successor. It conveys the weighty responsibility Solomon was inheriting, emphasizing the divine nature of the task. The "house" (Hebrew: bayith) refers specifically to the Temple, which would later be known as Solomon's Temple, a magnificent and enduring structure central to Israelite worship.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Passing the Torch: Just as David prepared Solomon, we are called to invest in and mentor the next generation, equipping them to carry forward God's work and spiritual values.
  2. Fulfilling God's Purpose: We may not always be the ones to complete a task God has laid on our hearts, but we can faithfully prepare and contribute to its foundation. Our obedience in preparation is as vital as the act of building itself.
  3. Commitment to God's Dwelling: While the physical Temple no longer stands, the New Testament teaches that believers are now the "temple of the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 6:19). This calls us to maintain purity, holiness, and dedication as living dwelling places for God's Spirit.
  4. Obedience to Divine Instruction: David's example demonstrates the importance of listening to God's specific instructions, even when they differ from our desires, and faithfully carrying them out or preparing for their fulfillment.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 5:21 (2 votes)

    I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

  • 1 Timothy 6:13 (2 votes)

    ¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

  • 1 Timothy 6:17 (2 votes)

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

  • Numbers 27:23 (2 votes)

    And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

  • Acts 20:25 (2 votes)

    And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

  • Acts 20:31 (2 votes)

    Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

  • Acts 1:2 (2 votes)

    Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: