1 Chronicles 28:11

¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

Then David {H1732} gave {H5414} to Solomon {H8010} his son {H1121} the pattern {H8403} of the porch {H197}, and of the houses {H1004} thereof, and of the treasuries {H1597} thereof, and of the upper chambers {H5944} thereof, and of the inner {H6442} parlours {H2315} thereof, and of the place {H1004} of the mercy seat {H3727},

Then David gave Shlomo his son the designs for the hall [of the temple], its buildings, its supply areas, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the place for the ark-cover;

Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, storehouses, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the mercy seat.

Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porchof the temple, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat;

Commentary

Context of 1 Chronicles 28:11

This verse is pivotal within the narrative of King David's final days and his preparations for the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. Having been forbidden by God to build the Temple himself due to his involvement in warfare (1 Chronicles 22:8), David dedicates his energy to gathering materials and making meticulous preparations for his son, Solomon, who was chosen by God for this task (1 Chronicles 22:9). In this chapter, David publicly charges Solomon and the leaders of Israel with the responsibility of constructing the Lord's house. Verse 11 specifically reveals that David possessed a divinely inspired blueprint for the entire structure, which he then passed on to Solomon. This underscores the sacred nature and divine origin of the Temple's design.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Blueprint and Guidance: The phrase "the pattern" is crucial. It signifies that the Temple's design was not a human invention but a detailed architectural plan given by God Himself to David. This parallels the instructions given to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:9). This emphasizes that God desires His dwelling place and worship to be conducted according to His specific will.
  • Legacy and Succession: David, though unable to build the Temple, faithfully prepares everything for Solomon. This act of passing on the divine pattern demonstrates David's obedience, his commitment to God's plan, and his role in establishing a spiritual legacy for his son and the nation. It highlights the importance of mentorship and preparing the next generation for spiritual tasks.
  • Holiness and Precision: The detailed nature of the pattern—including the porch, treasuries, upper chambers, inner parlours, and especially "the place of the mercy seat"—underscores the sanctity and precision required for God's house. Every part of the Temple was significant, particularly the mercy seat, which covered the Ark of the Covenant and was the focal point of atonement and God's presence in Israel (Leviticus 16:14).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pattern" here is tabnith (תַּבְנִית), which means a "model," "form," or "construction plan." It conveys the idea of a precise, detailed design, not just a general idea. This same word is used in Exodus 25:9 when God instructs Moses on the Tabernacle. The term "mercy seat" is kapporeth (כַּפֹּרֶת), which literally means "covering" or "propitiatory cover," referring to the lid of the Ark of the Covenant where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement to make expiation for sins. Its inclusion in the detailed pattern signifies its supreme importance as the place where God's presence met with His people to grant mercy.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 28:11 reminds believers that God often has a specific plan for our lives and the work He calls us to do. Just as David received a divine blueprint for the Temple, we are called to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all our endeavors, especially those pertaining to His kingdom. This verse encourages us to:

  • Seek Divine Guidance: Before embarking on significant projects, especially those related to faith or service, we should earnestly seek God's specific "pattern" through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel.
  • Be Faithful Stewards: David diligently prepared for a task he would not complete. We are called to be faithful stewards of the resources, wisdom, and opportunities God gives us, even if the full realization of a vision is for another generation.
  • Value Precision in Worship: The meticulous detail of the Temple's design highlights the importance of intentionality and reverence in our worship and service to God. It's not just about what we do, but how we do it, according to God's revealed will.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 28:19 (5 votes)

    All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.

  • Exodus 25:40 (4 votes)

    And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

  • 1 Kings 6:3 (4 votes)

    And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits [was] the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; [and] ten cubits [was] the breadth thereof before the house.

  • Exodus 25:17 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure gold: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

  • Exodus 25:22 (3 votes)

    And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

  • Hebrews 8:5 (3 votes)

    Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

  • 1 Chronicles 9:26 (2 votes)

    For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in [their] set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.