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1David said, “The temple of the Lord God must be built right here at this threshing place. And the altar for offering sacrifices will also be here.”
David Prepares
2David ordered the foreigners living in Israel to come to Jerusalem. Then he assigned some to cut blocks of stone for building the temple. 3He got a large supply of iron to make into nails and hinges for the doors, and he provided so much bronze that it could not be weighed. 4He also brought an endless supply of cedar logs from the cities of Sidon and Tyre.
5He said, “The temple for the Lord must be great, so that everyone in the world will know about it. But since my son Solomon is young and has no experience, I will make sure that everything is ready for the temple to be built.”
That's why David did all these things before he died.
David Instructs Solomon
6David sent for his son Solomon and told him to build a temple for the Lord God of Israel. 7 He said:
My son, I wanted to build a temple where the Lord my God would be worshiped. 8But some time ago, he told me, “David, you have killed too many people and have fought too many battles. That's why you are not the one to build my temple. 9But when your son becomes king, I will give him peace throughout his kingdom. His name will be Solomon, because during his rule I will keep Israel safe and peaceful. 10Solomon will build my temple. He will be like a son to me, and I will be like a father to him. In fact, one of his descendants will always rule in Israel.”
11Solomon, my son, I now pray that the Lord your God will be with you and keep his promise to help you build a temple for him. 12May he give you wisdom and knowledge, so that you can rule Israel according to his Law. 13 If you obey the laws and teachings that the Lord gave Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and brave and don't get discouraged or be afraid of anything.
14I have all the supplies you'll need to build the temple: You have more than 3,000 tons of gold and over 34,000 tons of silver. There's also plenty of wood, stone, and more bronze and iron than I could weigh. Ask for anything else you need. 15I have also assigned men who will cut and lay the stone. And there are carpenters and people who are experts in working with 16gold, silver, bronze, and iron. You have plenty of workers to do the job. Now get started, and I pray that the Lord will be with you in your work.
17David then gave orders for the leaders of Israel to help Solomon. 18David said:
The Lord our God has helped me defeat all the people who lived here before us, and he has given you peace from all your enemies. Now this land belongs to the Lord and his people. 19Obey the Lord your God with your heart and soul. Begin work on the temple to honor him, so that the sacred chest and the things used for worship can be kept there.
Reflect
Paul talks about how the kingdom comes when he says that some plant, some water and some harvest, but God makes it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). In the economy of God it takes more than one person to accomplish his plans and purposes. Sometimes the plans of God are simultaneous and all of us work at the same time. Sometimes they are sequential and can even be separated by a generation or more. That is what is happening in our text. God wants the people of Israel to have a Temple where his name can be exalted and where his people can meet in service to Him. David, the warrior king, is not the one for the task but his son Solomon is. There is no jealousy in David but a determination to prepare the way for Solomon to succeed.
It is important that every child of God have someone for whom they are preparing the way. Many Christians see the gifts of God in others and step out of the limelight so they can shine. Many followers of Jesus celebrate new generations and refuse to demand their own way. Thank God for everyone who is willing to pass the torch to others. If we are honest we can see that for each of us there is a time when others prepared the way. There comes a time when we must do the same for those who would follow after us. May we live meaningful lives through what we have been given and gladly pass those gifts to others with a heart of gratitude. It is how the kingdom of God flourishes.
Respond
Great God,
You have a plan and for some reason beyond all imagining you include us in it. You include me in it. Today I want to thank you for all those who have prepared the way for me and invested in my life and service to and for you. Like Solomon thanked David, his father, so I want to remember to thank those that gave of themselves for me. Then God, show me who I should be preparing for their life of service. Let me be willing to serve and sacrifice so your work gets done and so we always have a new generation who will rise up and call you blessed. I really want to be part of that.
William Morrow
William Morrow currently serves as an associate pastor at Evangel Church in downtown Montreal. Before that he was president of Master's College & Seminary in Peterborough Ontario. He also served as General Superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (12 years), Superintendent of the Western Ontario District (6 years) and pastored in Montreal, Smiths Falls and Sarnia. He spent five years teaching at the college where he now serves as President. He is a husband, father and grandfather and has given his ministry life to mentoring a new generation of leaders and pastors.