The Temple Project

David called the chiefs and princes of Israel together for an official coronation for Solomon. Solomon had been anointed swiftly to prevent Adonijah’s attempted usurpation of the throne. Now David wanted to publicly acknowledge his choice of Solomon as his successor (1 Chronicles 28:5) and, at the same time, place before the leaders his plan to have Solomon build the temple (v. 6). Many did not expect David to be well enough to address the assembly in person. But he “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” (v. 2).

“To build a house for the Lord was a worthy purpose, but God had reasons why it would be better for someone other than David to build the Temple. “. . . It was hardly appropriate that a man of war should build the world’s great temple of peace. The wars of David were perhaps necessary and justifiable wars, but they were wars nevertheless, and they resulted in the shedding of much blood. It seemed inappropriate that such a ruler should build the Temple [1 Chronicles 22:8].” David’s dream of building a dwelling place for the Lord was not to be fulfilled. Heartbroken though he was, David did not question God’s command.

The Lord had blessed Israel with a good land (Exodus 3:8).

If Israel remained faithful and kept the commandments of the Lord, they would leave a rich inheritance to their children (1 Chronicles 28:8).

The promise to David that his throne would be established forever was also contingent upon obedience to God’s commandments (vv. 7, 8).

“By his own bitter experience he had learned that the pathway of transgression is hard. He knew by experience what it meant to be condemned before God and to reap the fruits of transgression. Therefore with all the earnestness of his soul he urged the people to be true to God.” “There is no such thing as forced Christianity.”