Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 22

Verse 1

CONTENTS

Though David had it in command, that he should not build the temple of the Lord, yet it was not commanded him that he should make no preparations for it. This chapter represents him busy in the design, and instructing his son, Solomon, who was appointed by the Lord to build it, how to proceed.

1 Chronicles 22:1

There is somewhat very interesting in this account. David, perhaps, had some secret intimation from the Lord, that the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite, was to be the hallowed spot. How strange and mysterious are the ways of the Lord! Was there no spot in all Jerusalem belonging to one of the seed of Israel, but this spot of Araunah must be chosen? Some Commentators have thought (and I see no reason to reject the idea) that it was a beautiful figure to represent the interest the Gentile world should have in the Lord Jesus, which this temple typified. The prophet Amos seems to have had such a thought, and one of the apostles, even James, in his sermon appears to have cherished the idea. I beg the Reader to compare Amos 9:11-12 with Acts 15:16-17 .

Verses 2-5

These verses represent David in a very engaging light. Though the honor of building this temple was not to be his, yet he will do his utmost towards it, that he may show his zeal and love to so good a cause. Do not the costly preparations made for it, serve to show a lively representation of the Lord Jesus, of whom this temple was to be a type, in those vast, and long, and costly preparations, made through so many ages, even from the fall: in all which there were so many shadowy representations for the introduction of the Lord Jesus? And do not these hewn stones David had prepared, represent to us the nature and state of God's people, who must be long hewing and polishing to become stones in the everlasting temple of Jesus's body, after they are dug out of the quarry of our fallen nature?

Verses 6-16

The time of this address of David to his son, as well as the occasion, being, as we are told, just before his death, gives great weight and energy to it. It is indeed a most interesting address from a father to a son. Like a parent anxious for his son's welfare, and in that grand point, which of all others is most interesting, David charges Solomon to be very attentive in this business, to which the Lord had called him. There is a beautiful intimation which David gives to Solomon, in that the Lord had reserved this honour to him, and would not suffer David to accomplish it. David had had his hands all his days engaged in the Lord's battles. But Solomon's reign was to be a peaceful reign. How sweetly this points to Him whose kingdom was in righteousness and peace, and who alone was competent to build the house, and to bear all the glory. Zechariah 6:13 .

Verses 17-19

This charge to the princes of Israel, very properly succeeds David's charge to his son. As a dying king he earnestly desired to see every heart engaged in the Lord's work, as certain of the Lord's blessing. So that altogether the whole forms a beautiful representation of the king and court of Israel.

Verse 19

REFLECTIONS

READER! while you and I pause over the account here given of David's zeal for the Lord's house, and behold with what generosity and greatness of mind he prepared his silver and his gold, for the service of Him, from whom he received, and to whom he owed all he had: while we pay all suitable respect and praise to David, let us duly consider to what nobler services we are called under a gospel dispensation, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God in Jesus Christ. Silver and gold, (may many a precious soul say, with the Apostle,) have I none, but such as I have, would I offer to the Lord. Oh! dearest Jesus! it is thou which hast made all thy followers kings and priests to God and the Father. By thee, therefore, would we offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. And while contemplating the vast preparation of Solomon's temple, in the gold, and silver, and wood, and stones, think of the vast and long preparation from the foundation of the world, for the introduction of him whom that temple represented. Oh! thou blessed Jesus! give me continually to meditate with rapture and delight on that love of thine in which God our Father laid the foundation of our everlasting happiness, and formed the temple of thy body for the express purpose of salvation. Here was mercy indeed built up forever. Here was a temple indeed formed for eternity, in which all thine, being incorporated, should he kings and priests forever. And when the temple of thy body, by the sacrifice of thyself was destroyed, according to the determinate counsel and fore knowledge of God, thou didst by thine own power, agreeable to thine own prediction, raise it again the third day. Make us, blessed Jesus, even all that are thy people, make us, as thou hast promised, pillars in thy temple; that being built upon the same foundation as the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; and in whom the whole building is fitly framed together! we may grow up unto an holy temple in the Lord, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit.