Journal Through the Bible: Week 92 Wednesday

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I Chronicles chapter 28

Did you read that previous list of  "Who's Who in King David's Kingdom" in the previous chapters? We're told in this chapter that he assembled all of them together to tell them what was on his heart and on the heart of the LORD.

Then David charged Solomon and gave him the pattern for the Temple. I particularly love his charge to his son.

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. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. (verses 9 and 10)

I love these verses. This parent knows exactly how David must have felt when exhorting his child to whole-heartedly serve the LORD!

Does God issue any commands?

• David reminded the people that God had told him not to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant which he calls here "the footstool of our God" as he also called it in Psalm 99:5 and Psalm 132:7.
• David reminded the people that out of all the king's sons God had chosen Solomon to be the next king.
• David told the people that God had commanded that Solomon be the one to build the Temple because God had chosen him as a son.
• Verses 12 and 19 say that the Spirit gave David the pattern of the House that David then passed on to Solomon. This is not surprising. God gave the pattern of the tabernacle to Moses so it seems only fitting that He would design the temple also.

Does God make any promises?

• David reminded the people that he had been chosen by God to be king over Israel forever, meaning his line will rule forever. (I particularly like the phrase in verse 4 that says, "He liked me to make me king over all Israel." It is nice to be liked by God.)
• God promised to establish Solomon's kingdom forever if he would follow God's judgments.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• David gave Solomon a charge to build the Temple according to God's own pattern and design. This Temple was to be a permanent building with all of the accessories and services of the tabernacle which represented the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
• Solomon was to do his father's will and work. This is a type of Christ Jesus who came to do His Father's will and work.
• David told Solomon that God would not fail him or forsake him until all the work was finished. God did not fail nor forsake Jesus until such time as the work He was sent to do was finished also. Only during that time did the Father temporarily forsake the Son until He cried, "It is finished!"

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The eternal dynasty of David and Solomon is referenced in this chapter. This dynasty will once again rule and reign Israel when Jesus comes again.