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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28 verses 11–21
As for the general charge that David gave his son to seek God and serve him, the book of the law was, in that, his only rule, and there needed no other; but, in building the temple, David was now to give him three things: - 1. A model of the building, because it was to be such a building as neither he nor his architects ever saw. Moses had a pattern of the tabernacle shown him in the mount (Heb 8:5), so had David of the temple, by the immediate hand of God upon him, Ch1 28:19. It was given him in writing, probably by the ministry of an angel, or as clearly and exactly represented to his mind as if it had been in writing. But it is said (Ch1 28:12), He had this pattern by the Spirit. The contrivance either of David's devotion or of Solomon's wisdom must not be trusted to in an affair of this nature. The temple must be a sacred thing and a type of Christ; there must be in it not only convenience and decency, but significancy: it was a kind of sacrament, and therefore it must not be left to man's art or invention to contrive it, but must be framed by divine institution. Christ the true temple, the church the gospel temple, and heaven the everlasting temple, are all framed according to the divine councils, and the plan laid in the divine wisdom, ordained before the world for God's glory and ours. This pattern David gave to Solomon, that he might know what to provide and might go by a certain rule. When Christ left with his disciples a charge to build his gospel church he gave them an exact model of it, ordering them to observe that, and that only, which he commanded. The particular models are here mentioned, of the porch, which was higher than the rest, like a steeple, - then the houses, both the holy place and the most holy, with the rooms adjoining, which were for treasuries, chambers, and parlours, - especially the place of the mercy-seat (Ch1 28:11), - of the courts likewise, and the chambers about them, in which the dedicated things were laid up. Bishop Patrick supposes that, among other things, the tabernacle which Moses reared and all the utensils of it, which there was now no further occasion for, were laid up here, signifying that in the fulness of time all the Mosaic economy, all the rites and ceremonies of that dispensation, should be respectfully laid aside, and something better come in their room. He gave him a table of the courses of the priests, patterns of the vessels of service (Ch1 28:13), and a pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, Ch1 28:18. Besides the two cherubim over the mercy-seat, there were two much larger, whose wings reached from wall to wall (Kg1 6:23, etc.), and of these David here gave Solomon the pattern, called a chariot; for the angels are the chariots of God, Psa 68:17. 2. Materials for the most costly of the utensils of the temple. That they might not be made any less than the patterns, he weighed out the exact quantity for each vessel both of gold and silver, Ch1 28:14. In the tabernacle there was but one golden candlestick; in the temple there were ten (Kg1 7:49), besides silver ones, which, it is supposed, were hand-candlesticks, Ch1 28:15. In the tabernacle there was but one table; but in the temple, besides that on which the show-bread was set, there were ten others for other uses (Ch2 4:8), besides silver tables; for, this house being much larger than that, it would look bare if it had not furniture proportionable. The gold for the altar of incense is particularly said to be refined gold (Ch1 28:18), purer than any of the rest; for that was typical of the intercession of Christ, than which nothing is more pure and perfect. 3. Directions which way to look for help in this great undertaking. "Fear not opposition; fear not the charge, care, and trouble; fear not miscarrying in it, as in the case of Uzza; fear not the reproach of the foolish builder, that began to build and was not able to finish. Be not dismayed. (1.) God will help thee, and thou must look up to him in the first place (Ch1 28:20): The Lord God, even my God, whom I have chosen and served, who has all along been present with me and prospered me, and to whom, from my own experience of his power and goodness, I recommend thee, he will be with thee, to direct, strengthen, and prosper thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Note, We may be sure that God, who owned our fathers and carried them through the services of their day, will, in like manner, if we be faithful to him, go along with us in our day, and will never leave us, while he has any work to do in us or by us. The same that was Joshua's encouragement (Jos 1:5), and Solomon's, is given to all believers, Heb 13:5. He will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. God never leaves any unless they first leave him. (2.) "Good men will help thee, Ch1 28:21. The priests and Levites will advise thee, and thou mayest consult them. Thou hast good workmen, who are both willing and skilful;" and these are two very good properties in a workman, especially in those that work at the temple. And, lastly, "The princes and the people will be so far from opposing or retarding the work that they will be wholly at thy command, every one in his place ready to further it." Then good work is likely to go on when all parties concerned are hearty in it, and none secretly clog it, but all drive on heartily in it.
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SUMMARY
This verse meticulously records King David's precise and generous provision of precious metals for the sacred furnishings of the future temple in Jerusalem. It specifically details the allocation of gold, measured "by weight," for the tables designated to hold the holy shewbread, and silver for other temple tables. This detailed inventory underscores the immense value, meticulous care, and profound reverence King David invested in every aspect of God's dwelling place, setting a standard of excellence and intentionality for divine worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several literary devices to underscore its profound theological and practical implications. Emphasis is powerfully conveyed through the repetition of "tables" and the specific, insistent mention of "by weight," drawing the reader's attention to the meticulousness, precision, and immense value of the provisions. A clear Contrast is established between the gold allocated for the tables of shewbread and the silver designated for other tables. This distinction highlights the supreme importance and sanctity of the shewbread within the temple's ritual life, signifying a hierarchy of holiness within the sacred space. Furthermore, the precious materials themselves, gold and silver, carry rich Symbolism. Gold, consistently throughout Scripture, symbolizes divine glory, purity, royalty, and the unblemished nature of God, making it supremely fitting for objects directly associated with His presence. Silver, while also valuable, often represents redemption, purification, or a lesser, yet still significant, standard of worth. The cumulative effect of these details contributes to a vivid and grand Imagery of the future temple, portraying it as a place of unparalleled beauty, precision, and sacredness, truly worthy of the worship of the Almighty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the theological principle that the sovereign God is supremely worthy of our absolute best, not merely in our spiritual devotion but also in our tangible offerings, resources, and service. King David's meticulous provision for the temple, extending even to the precise weight of gold for the shewbread tables, reflects an unparalleled reverence for God's holiness, His majestic presence, and the divine standards for His dwelling. It powerfully teaches us that worship, in all its facets, is never to be approached casually or with indifference, but rather with intentionality, sacrificial generosity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The continuity of the shewbread's central role, transitioning from the portable Tabernacle to the permanent Temple, highlights God's unchanging nature and the enduring significance of His covenant with Israel, perpetually symbolized by His constant provision and intimate presence. This elaborate preparation anticipates a dwelling place where God's tangible glory would reside, inspiring profound awe, reverence, and unwavering devotion among His chosen people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 28:16 stands as a powerful and enduring reminder of the profound reverence, meticulous intentionality, and sacrificial generosity with which God's people in the Old Testament approached His worship. The precise allocation "by weight" of gold and silver for the sacred furnishings, particularly the tables of shewbread, speaks volumes about the immense value placed on God's holy presence and the consecrated elements used in His service. While contemporary believers do not worship in a physical temple with literal shewbread, the underlying principles of devotion, excellence, and wholehearted giving remain timeless and profoundly applicable. This verse challenges us to critically examine the quality of our own offerings—whether of our precious time, unique talents, or material resources—in service to God and the advancement of His kingdom. Do we approach His work with the same precision, lavish generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence, thereby truly reflecting the honor and glory due to His majestic name? This passage encourages us to offer our "best," not out of mere obligation or duty, but out of a heartfelt, overflowing desire to glorify the One who has graciously given us everything. Ultimately, our worship, our service, and our giving should be indelibly marked by intentionality, integrity, and a deep, abiding sense of His infinite worthiness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the theological and symbolic significance of the "shewbread" in the Tabernacle and Temple?
Answer: The "shewbread," or "bread of the presence" (Hebrew: lechem panim), consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, which were perpetually displayed on a golden table in the Holy Place. Its primary significance lay in representing God's constant, abiding presence among His people and His faithful, unwavering provision for them. Each Sabbath, the old bread was replaced with fresh loaves, and the consumed bread was eaten by the priests, signifying the perpetual renewal of God's covenant and His ongoing sustenance for the nation. It served as a tangible, visual reminder of God's intimate relationship with His chosen people, as meticulously detailed in Leviticus 24:5-9.
What was the significance of specifying materials "by weight" for the temple furnishings?
Answer: The phrase "by weight" (Hebrew: mishqâl) emphasizes profound precision, exactness, and meticulous care in the allocation of precious metals. In the ancient Near East, measuring precious metals by weight was the standard method to determine their precise value and ensure their purity. For the temple construction, this detail underscored the supreme sacredness of the entire project and the uncompromised divine standard required for every single component. It signified that the materials were not merely estimated or roughly allocated, but rather precisely measured and distributed according to the divinely revealed blueprint that David had received from the Lord, as explicitly stated in 1 Chronicles 28:19. This extraordinary level of detail reflected King David's immense reverence for God and his fervent desire to construct a dwelling place truly worthy of His holy and glorious presence.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the earthly temple, particularly the sacred tables of shewbread, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "shewbread" itself, symbolizing God's perpetual presence and faithful provision for His people, is powerfully superseded by Jesus' self-declaration as "the bread of life" in John 6:35, the true spiritual sustenance descended from heaven to give life to the world. He is the ultimate and perfect manifestation of God's presence among humanity, for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" bodily (Colossians 1:19 and Colossians 2:9). The precise weighing of gold and silver for the temple's glory foreshadows the immeasurable value, unblemished purity, and perfect sufficiency of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice and His divine nature. He is the perfect High Priest who entered, not an earthly sanctuary made with human hands, but the true, heavenly tabernacle, offering Himself as the eternal, efficacious sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:11-12). The physical temple, with its divinely specified furnishings, served as a tangible shadow pointing to the greater spiritual reality found in Christ, who is the true temple, the living dwelling place of God among humanity (John 2:19-21). Through His redemptive work, believers are now spiritually incorporated into Him, becoming "living stones" built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5), thereby fulfilling the Old Testament's profound emphasis on a consecrated and precious dwelling for the Lord.