1 Chronicles22

King David designated the site for the LORD's house and began extensive preparations, gathering vast quantities of materials and workmen. He charged his son Solomon to build the Temple, explaining that God forbade him due to his wars, but promised Solomon, a man of peace, would accomplish the task. David also exhorted Solomon and the princes to diligently undertake this sacred work.

David Prepares Materials for the Temple

1
Then David said, “This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” ​
2
David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in Eretz-Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build God’s house. ​
3
David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight;
4
and cedar trees without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
5
David said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death. ​

David Charges Solomon to Build the Temple

6
Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. ​
7
David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.
8
But the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. ​
9
Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. ​
10
He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.’ ​
11
Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and prosper you, and build the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you.
12
May the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of the LORD your God. ​
13
Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.
14
Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them. ​
15
There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work:
16
of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may the LORD be with you.”

David Commands the Princes to Help

17
David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, ​
18
“Isn’t the LORD your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people. ​
19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek after the LORD your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built for the LORD’s name.” ​

Study Notes for 1 Chronicles 22

Verse 1

This verse establishes the sacred location for the future Temple and altar, identified earlier as Araunah's threshing floor (1 Chr 21:28). This site was purchased by David and consecrated by divine fire.

Verse 2

David utilized resident aliens (“strangers”) for the heavy labor of quarrying stone, a common practice for large-scale royal building projects in the ancient Near East.

Verse 5

David recognized that the Temple needed to be “exceeding magnifical” to reflect God’s glory, thus justifying his massive, preemptive preparation before his death, knowing his son was still young.

Verse 6

This marks the formal transition of the Temple project authority from David, the warrior king, to Solomon, the designated successor.

Verse 8

God forbade David from building the Temple because he was a man of war who had shed much blood, establishing a theological principle that the Temple, a house of peace and reconciliation, required a peaceful builder.

Verse 9

Solomon’s name (Hebrew: *Shelomoh*) is highlighted as reflecting the peace (*shalom*) God would grant during his reign, providing the necessary political stability for the Temple construction.

Verse 10

This promise reaffirms the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7), linking the stability of the everlasting throne directly to Solomon's role in building the Temple for God's name.

Verse 12

David prays specifically for Solomon to receive wisdom and understanding, recognizing that righteous governance and adherence to the Law are necessary components for the success of the sacred building project.

Verse 14

The monetary figures cited (100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver) are symbolic of unimaginable abundance, emphasizing the completeness and divine blessing upon David's preparation rather than literal calculation.

Verse 17

David ensures that the entire governmental structure supports Solomon’s monumental task by commanding the national leaders to offer their full assistance.

Verse 18

The 'rest on every side' confirms that David had successfully subdued all immediate enemies, creating the peaceful political environment necessary for Solomon to begin the work of building the sanctuary.

Verse 19

David directs the leaders to focus their spiritual energy ('set your heart and your soul') on seeking God and completing the sanctuary project, emphasizing that the physical building must be matched by spiritual commitment.

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