Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 28

Introduction

First Chronicles Chapter 28

1 Chronicles 28:1 "And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem."

David assembled all the people together in Jerusalem whom he had assigned positions of leadership. He brought the leaders of the spiritual life, the leaders of the civil government, and the leaders of the military, that he might tell them his wishes for Israel.

1 Chronicles 28:2 "Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:"

We must remember, that David is rather elderly when this takes place, and it would be a great effort for him to stand for any length of time. He had great respect for the men he had put in charge of the various aspects of life in Israel He stood to honor these men. He even called them his brethren, rather than his subjects. He truly was one of them. He was a Hebrew, the same as they were. He wanted to build a permanent place to house the ark of the covenant. He had set up a tent for it, but he wanted a greater house than any that had ever been built, to house the presence of God. He had gathered all the materials together to build the temple, but he would not be able to build it himself. It was not the will of God for him to build it.

1 Chronicles 28:3 "But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou [hast been] a man of war, and hast shed blood."

David was called a bloody king, because of the wars he had fought and won. He would, however, honor David by letting Solomon build the temple with the materials David had gathered for the task.

1 Chronicles 28:4 "Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah [to be] the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make [me] king over all Israel:"

David had not chosen to be king. God chose David to be king of all Israel when he was just a boy. In fact, he was the youngest of his brothers. Samuel anointed David to be king of all Israel. God promised David that there would always be a king of Judah, who would be descended from David. We know this was fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the flesh, He was of the tribe of Judah. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

1 Chronicles 28:5 "And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel."

This was a very important statement for David to make, since Solomon was not the oldest son of David. This would leave no room for dispute about who should reign as king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 28:6 "And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him [to be] my son, and I will be his father."

We do not know exactly when the Lord told David to make Solomon king, but we know He did tell him. Solomon would reign during a time of peace in Israel. Solomon was known as a king with a peaceful nature. The name "Solomon" means peaceable. God would give Solomon the gift of wisdom to lead his people, and to build the temple. One of the reasons Solomon married so many women, was so there would be no war with the fathers of his wives. Some of them were marriages of state.

1 Chronicles 28:7 "Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day."

All blessings from God are conditional on the person, who receives the blessings, keeping God’s commandments. It was the same with Solomon.

1 Chronicles 28:8 "Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave [it] for an inheritance for your children after you for ever."

This is a warning from David that all of the people must keep God’s commandments, if they are to continue to be blessed of God. David is not to blame for them not keeping God’s commandments. He stressed, here, that God was his witness that he warned them.

1 Chronicles 28:9 "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."

We have discussed so often, the way to know God is to know Him in His Word, the Bible. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. We must learn the will of God for our lives as Solomon was to learn the will of God for his life. God is more interested in the heart of man than anything else about man. The heart is what you are. Solomon must keep his heart stayed upon God. The thoughts of mankind lead astray, unless they are controlled by the spirit of mankind. Matthew 22:37 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." One of the wisest things a person can do, is to seek the Lord with all of his heart. God will not hide, if we seek Him. We will find Him, if we really want to find Him. Blessings are abundant for those who obey God’s Commandments, but those who do not will face curses abundant.

1 Chronicles 28:10 "Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do [it]."

God chooses people for a task, and then, He gives them the ability to get it done. He just wants a willing heart to work with.

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,"

It seems that, God had given the plan to David for all of this, and he gave it to his son, Solomon. It appears that, every little detail had been given to David by the Spirit of God. The porch was 30 feet in length and 180 feet high.

1 Chronicles 28:12 "And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:"

Just as God had given detailed information on the building of the tabernacle to Moses in the wilderness, it appears He had given detailed information to David, here. It appears, he had drawn out detailed instructions, and given them to Solomon.

1 Chronicles 28:13 "Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD."

It appears from this, that the proper functions of the priests and high priest had been overlooked in the last few years. It appears, that God gave the entire plan to David, to establish before his death. The vessels for use in the temple had to be made a certain way, and of certain metal. All of the plans for housing for the priests, as well as the plans for the actual temple were given to David by the Spirit of God. Everything had to be done exactly as the plans, if it pleased God.

1 Chronicles 28:14 "[He gave] of gold by weight for [things] of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; [silver also] for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:"

David not only gathered up the gold for use in the temple, but had plans showing exactly how much gold was to be used in each item, along with the exact plans for making the item. Nothing but gold was used in the near vicinity of the ark, which symbolized the presence of God. In this temple, there was an unusually large amount of gold used.

1 Chronicles 28:15 "Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, [both] for the candlestick, and [also] for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick."

There were no candlesticks of silver, that I am aware of. "Silver" means redemption. It is possible for candlesticks to have been made of silver for the palace, or the quarters of the priests, or high priest, but the candlestick in the temple was made of pure gold. The light is symbolic of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. The candlesticks of gold showed they were in the near presence of God.

1 Chronicles 28:16 "And by weight [he gave] gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and [likewise] silver for the tables of silver:"

Again, I am unfamiliar with the tables of silver. The table of shewbread was to be made of gold. The shewbread symbolized Jesus who is the Bread of life. 1 Kings 7:48 "And Solomon made all the vessels that [pertained] unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread [was]," 1 Kings 7:49 "And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right [side], and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs [of] gold," Silver means redemption, so the tables of silver could have been in another place other than the temple.

1 Chronicles 28:17 "Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins [he gave gold] by weight for every basin; and [likewise silver] by weight for every basin of silver:"

The main thing that this is saying, is that David prepared enough gold, silver, and bronze to build all that they needed for the temple.

1 Chronicles 28:18 "And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD."

Everything in the presence of the ark, which symbolized the presence of God, had to be 24 kt. gold, or 24 kt. gold overlay. These wings were so long, they entirely covered the width of the holy of holies.

1 Chronicles 28:19 "All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern." Just as the Scriptures were written by the Spirit of God moving upon men of God, this pattern of everything in the temple was miraculously given to David by God. God wrote it in David’s heart.

1 Chronicles 28:20 "And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."

Solomon was very young, and needed this encouragement from David. We know that God gave Solomon the gift of wisdom, as well. David reminded Solomon that God was faithful to give him the understanding to build the temple. God would not have called him, had He not ikntended to equip Solomon to do the task. God wanted the temple built, and He would be with Solomon.

1 Chronicles 28:21 "And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment."

The priests and the Levites would be there to help with any information Solomon needed from the law. There would be thousands of skilled people for every task. Solomon would actually just supervise his leaders, to see that the work went on. David had already assigned each person the task they were to do. God would guide Solomon every step of the way. God had provided skillful people for every task. It would be done. Solomon just, must believe it could be done, and do it.

1 Chronicles 28 Questions

1. Who did David call to Jerusalem?

2. There were leaders of the _________ life, leaders of the ________ government, and the leaders of the __________.

3. Why did he call them?

4. Why was it important that he stood upon his feet?

5. What did David have in his heart to do?

6. Why did God not allow David to do it?

7. David was called a _________ king.

8. What had God allowed David to do about the temple?

9. What special honor had God shown David?

10. Why was it so important for David to proclaim Solomon king?

11. What does "Solomon" mean?

12. How are blessings of God conditional?

13. Who did David warn about keeping the commandments?

14. How can we know God?

15. Quote Matthew 22:37.

16. What does a person have to have for God to use him?

17. Where did David get the plans he gave to Solomon?

18. How had David received the plans?

19. Why did God give David information for the priests?

20. What does "silver" mean?

21. Quote 1 Kings 7:48-49.

22. Everything in the presence of the ark had to made with _______.

23. How long were the wings of the cherubim?

24. What encouraging statement did David make to Solomon?

25. Where did Solomon get his wisdom?

26. Who had God given Solomon to help with the building of the temple?

27. What must Solomon do?

Verses 1-8

1Ch 28:1-8

Introduction

This and the following chapter conclude First Chronicles and are devoted to the final words and instructions of king David, especially as they related to Solomon and the construction of the temple. David freely confessed here that God had told him, "Thou shalt not build a house for my name" (1 Chronicles 28:3); but David nevertheless proceeded to build it, making all the necessary preparations for doing so, accumulating the necessary supplies, and vigorously commanding Solomon and all Israel to build it. Throughout human history, every man has been credited with doing what he commanded others to do, a principle illustrated a hundred times in the Bible; and we must therefore accept the truth that David’s actions with reference to Solomon’s temple were sinful. He violated the prohibition that God laid upon him.

The inspired Chronicler has given us in these chapters a faithful and accurate record of what was said and done; but many of the things David said and did in these two chapters were not based upon what God had commanded but upon David’s sincere and honest misunderstanding of the prophecy of the Lord through Nathan the prophet.

Once the die was cast and all Israel had enthusiastically accepted the idea of building a temple, God indeed accommodated to it, continuing to bless Israel, and even overruling their sins and mistakes, bending them to contribute toward the Eternal Purpose of Redemption for all mankind.

Yes, God even commanded the temple to be rebuilt under Ezra and Nehemiah; but at that stage in Israel’s long and rebellious history of sin and apostasy, the heavenly command to build again the temple must be viewed as exactly the equivalent of Jesus’ command for Judas Iscariot to betray him (John 13:27), or the command of God’s angel to Balaam, "Go with the men" (Numbers 22:35).

Solomon’s temple, in every real sense, was the project conceived and achieved by David. It was in the same category as the monarchy, used and overruled by God toward the achievement of his eternal purpose; but neither of them, in the ultimate sense, was actually the will of God, except in the sense that he permitted them.

This background review of the Jewish temple should be kept continually in mind in our study of these two chapters.

1 Chronicles 28:1-8

DAVID’S PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SOLOMON WOULD BUILD THE TEMPLE

"And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, unto Jerusalem. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and for the footstool of our God; and I made ready for the building. But God said unto me, "Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed much blood. Howbeit Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for he hath chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; and of all my sons (for Jehovah hath given me many sons) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do my commandments and mine ordinances, as at this day. Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah, and in the audience of our God; observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever."

"I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father" (1 Chronicles 28:6). This and the following verse positively indicate that David was here basing what he said upon his understanding of the prophecy in 1 Chronicles 28:7; however, that prophecy said nothing at all resembling what David here declared. Solomon, in no sense whatever, was God’s son, nor did God establish Solomon’s throne for ... ever. All that was happening in this chapter was taking place during David’s lifetime, absolutely contrary to the specific declaration in 2 Samuel 7:12 that the promised Great One who would build that house for the name of God would do so, "When thou (David) shalt sleep with thy fathers, and that the Promised One would be SET UP AFTER THEE" (2 Samuel 7:12). Solomon was not set up after David but during David’s reign; and God did not do it, as the prophecy indicated, but David did it! (See our extensive comment on this in 2Samuel.)

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 28:1. This verse reports a call for a general assembly of all David’s chief men. He knows he is near the end of his life, and plans to inform his people of what had been in his mind, also what he hopes to have done after he is gone.

1 Chronicles 28:2. The ark was a divine instrument for the service of God, ordained by the Lord himself. Yet its material was earthly and the forming of it was done by man. In view of such facts it was fitting to call the building David proposed to erect a resting place for the ark. But when he came to speak of it in connection with God personally, he claimed no higher honor for the temple than to call it a footstool.

1 Chronicles 28:3. See my comments at Ch. 22:11 on the attitude of David regarding this matter of his being denied the privilege of building the temple.

1 Chronicles 28:4. Instead of feeling as if he were left out of all honor, David called attention to the particulars in which he had been favored. For one thing, his tribe was chosen to furnish the kings who were to reign in Jerusalem. Next, out of that tribe the Lord chose his father’s family. Last but not least, of the eight sons his father had, he was the one chosen.

1 Chronicles 28:5. In continuing his specifications of favors David pointed out that of all the many sons he had, God had selected Solomon to be the next king. Not only was Solomon to be king, but was to be allowed the honor of building the house of God, something David had longed to do but was forbidden. It might be wondered why David had this feeling of preference for Solomon. There is no direct statement in the Bible on this subject. But we know that Solomon was a son of Bath-sheba, and the affair with that attractive woman, although connected with some bitter memories, must have left a feeling of favoritism in the mind of David.

1 Chronicles 28:6. David’s reverence for God would naturally influence him to have profound respect for his activities. God had set Solomon on a pedestal of special favor by the endearing terms of father and son; David had been told all this. It necessarily impressed him with the outstanding importance of this son of the woman of tender memory.

1 Chronicles 28:7. For ever means "age-lasting." Had Solomon been always true to God, the vast extent of his jurisdiction (see 1 Kings 4:21) would have continued to the end of that (Jewish) age. But the condition on which such favor was to be granted was that he continue in obedience to the Lord’s commandments. As at this day means that the future king should serve God according to the law that was then in force.

1 Chronicles 28:8. This exhortation was addressed to the assembly of the great men mentioned in verse 1. It was in the sight of the congregation and in the hearing of God. It should always be remembered that God hears all that is said. That is important as to the things we say, and also as regards the instructions that are given us from any of God’s authorized teachers. Leave it for an inheritance. This expression implies more than is generally realized. Many people act as if they were not responsible on behalf of the future generations. If they see lit to consume the land to which they have a title, they think it is no concern of others. This verse teaches that the men then in charge of the land were to conduct themselves in such a manner that the territory would be left for others after the present generations had passed away.

Verses 9-10

1Ch 28:9-10

1 Chronicles 28:9-10

DAVID’S ORDER FOR SOLOMON TO BUILD THE TEMPLE

"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever. Take heed now; for Jehovah hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it."

Here, in the presence of all Israel, David laid the solemn charge upon his son Solomon to build the Jewish temple, which thus became, in every particular, what David did through his son Solomon. It should have been called David’s Temple.

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 28:9-10. This is a fine exhortation and came from an able and sincere mind. Had Solomon heeded it he would have been a happier man. The Lord must be sought if he is to be enjoyed. This is taught in Isaiah 55:6-7 and Matthew 7:7.

Verse 11

1Ch 28:11

1 Chronicles 28:11

GOD’S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE IN THE TEMPLE’S CONSTRUCTION

"Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat."

David himself did not invent this pattern, but God gave it to him, having first given it to Moses; and David learned all about it from Exodus 25:10; Exodus 25:17-22; Exodus 31:7; Exodus 40:20; and in Numbers 7:89. The statement in the next verse that David had this pattern "by the Spirit" is a reference to the fact that God’s Spirit revealed all of these things to Moses.

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 28:11-12. God was very considerate of David even though he would not permit him to build the temple. He gave him the pattern by the spirit, which means he was inspired in delivering it to his son. More will be said on this subject at 1 Chronicles 28:19.

Verses 12-19

1Ch 28:12-19

1 Chronicles 28:12-19

MANY OTHER DETAILS GIVEN BY DAVID TO SOLOMON

"And the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit for the courts of the house of Jehovah, and for all the chambers round about, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Jehovah; of gold by weight for the vessels of gold, for all vessels for every kind of service; by weight also for the candlesticks of gold, and for the lamps thereof, of gold, by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof; and for the candlesticks of silver, silver by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick; and the gold by weight for the tables of show-bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; and the flesh-hooks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, even the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of Jehovah. All this, said David, have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern."

The very names, descriptions and instructions regarding all of these things were derived by David from the Mosaic Law as given in the Pentateuch. Any good reference Bible lists the following references in this single paragraph to the Law of Moses: Exodus 20:16; Exodus 25:9; Exodus 25:18-22; Exodus 25:37; Exodus 26:31-37; Exodus 28:16; Exodus 30:1-19; Exodus 30:34; and Exodus 36:9; Leviticus 16:2; Leviticus 16:14-15; and Numbers 1:47. Thus, what we have here is David’s relay of the instructions Moses received from God for the building of the tabernacle accommodated to the requirements of the temple. We know that Solomon did not strictly follow David’s instructions; and there were enough departures from the true pattern to justify the author of the Book of Hebrews in by-passing the Jewish Temple altogether and going back to the tabernacle for all of true symbolism supposed to be in the temple.

"David said, I have been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah all the works of this pattern (1 Chronicles 28:19). These words are another reference to the Mosaic Law where David read the pattern of the tabernacle, and which pattern Solomon was supposed to follow in the construction of the temple. The proof of this is in the general correspondence of the temple in all of its truly important features to the ancient tabernacle. The variations and changes imposed upon the temple by Solomon should not be charged to David.

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 28:11-12. God was very considerate of David even though he would not permit him to build the temple. He gave him the pattern by the spirit, which means he was inspired in delivering it to his son. More will be said on this subject at 1 Chronicles 28:19.

1 Chronicles 28:13. God directed David as to the courses or turns of the priests, and he handed the instructions over to Solomon. Verse 14. All metal has weight, but the expression by weight means that David had it weighed and did not leave it for his workmen to guess at.

1 Chronicles 28:15. According to the use means the weight of the metal allotted to each piece was according to its needs, depending on the service to be had from it.

1 Chronicles 28:16-18. When Solomon built the temple he reproduced, in enlarged form, all the vessels and furniture that had been in the tabernacle service, except the ark. That had been housed in a special tent by David, and Solomon did not reproduce it.

1 Chronicles 28:19. Hand is from YAD and Strong defines it, "a primitive word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.] in distinction from a closed one)." So the verse means God gave David the power to write the description of the temple to be erected by Solomon. There should be no questioning of the work of Solomon in the vast architecture he used in the building. If the temple was not constructed as God wanted it, the rear son was that the divine pattern was not followed. We cannot conclude that, for the Lord blessed the building at the prayer and dedication.

Verses 20-21

1Ch 28:20-21

1 Chronicles 28:20-21

DAVID’S ADMONITION FOR SOLOMON

"And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed; for Jehovah God, even my God is with thee; he will not fail thee, or forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished. And, behold, there are the courses of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee in all manner of work every willing man that hath skill for any manner of service: also the captains and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment."

The absolute sincerity and total devotion of king David in his love of God and his enthusiasm for building the temple shine in every word of these wonderful sentences. How tragic it is that his son Solomon failed so wretchedly to honor the admonition of this wonderful father.

SPECIAL NOTE ON 1 Chronicles 28:5

"He (God) hath chosen Solomon ... to sit upon the throne of the KINGDOM OF JEHOVAH over Israel" (1 Chronicles 28:5). There is not a more preposterous statement in all the Bible than this one. David truly believed, as did all Israel, that the earthly kingdom that God had given them was the kingdom of heaven.

In a certain sense, of course, the people of Israel were a type of that `kingdom of heaven’ which is the Church; but in no sense whatever was the secular, political kingdom of David and Solomon the kingdom of God. The ancient inhabitants of Canaan were not driven out of Palestine, as God commanded; but they were enslaved by Israel. (See the opening chapters of my commentary on Judges.)

"2 Samuel 20:24 indicates that David used forced (slave) labor; that passage does not say who composed the labor gangs"; and, although David might not have forced Israelites into his forced labor gangs, the enslaved Canaanites were certainly used; and Solomon quickly extended them to include Israelites also. There is no way that the evil, secular and political kingdom of Israel could have been the kingdom of heaven. Of course, the multitudes who were living off the sweat of other peoples’ faces liked doing so; and no doubt many thought it was wonderful. (See further comment on this in our Introduction to 1 Kings 4.)

The political Jewish kingdom was never anything other than what the prophet of God called it - "THE SINFUL KINGDOM" (Amos 9:8).

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 28:20. The task of erecting a building of such vast proportions was great. It was to require the work of thousands of men and call for the collecting of huge amounts of materials; hence the encouraging words of David were appropriate. Neither could such a great work be accomplished without the help of God, and David assured his son that divine help would be given him.

1 Chronicles 28:21. The courses or turns of the priests also would be assured for Solomon’s service in things belonging to their line. In short, the talents of the entire nation would be at his command.