Solomon Charged to Build the Temple

 

 

 

1 Chronicles 22:6-19

 

April 9, 2023

 

 

Solomon Charged to Build the Temple

Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.  David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God.  But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.  Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.  He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’

“Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you.  Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God.  Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous.​  Fear not; do not be dismayed.  With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these, you must add.  You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without numbers, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people.  Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”

 

Yesterday we address from disappointment to preparation, and today we see a dad talking to his young son about a plan God has for him.  He explains why God would not allow him to build, and how he had provided the people with the skills and the materials to do the job.  Yes, David's dreams did not happen as he had hoped, but as a dad, I can testify David is finding great joy in knowing how God will use Solomon.

 

You will notice the yellow highlights, they are wise words, and a dad who loves his child will share with them.  1. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. 2. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!” 3. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice