1 Chronicles 22:2-27:33

What’s Happening?

David is about to pass the kingdom of Israel and the responsibility to build God’s temple to his son, Solomon. David has been preparing for this moment ever since God promised his son would rule forever (1 Chronicles 17:11-12). Every battle David’s won, every trading relationship he’s established, and every administrative official he’s appointed has been to make sure his inexperienced son Solomon has everything he needs to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22:2-5).

In an official ceremony, David gathers his heads-of-state. He charges Solomon to build the temple that David has spent his life making preparations for (1 Chronicles 22:6-7). David has secured peace for Israel through a series of bloody conflicts, but in so doing disqualified himself from building God’s temple (1 Chronicles 22:8). So Solomon must do what David cannot (1 Chronicles 22:9-10). As Solomon prepares to take the throne, David urges his son to listen to God’s laws and build God’s temple (1 Chronicles 22:11-16). David commands his heads-of-state to devote themselves to helping his son complete this task (1 Chronicles 22:17-19).

The Chronicler spends five entire chapters detailing the massive government David hands to his son and how it is centered around the worship of God and the guidance he provides. The Chronicler outlines the temple’s organizational structure (1 Chronicles 23:1-3), breaks down the military rotations of Israel's national guard (1 Chronicles 27:1-15), and names Israel’s 24 tribal leaders and heads-of-state who will function as Solomon’s royal cabinet (1 Chronicles 27:16-34). More space is spent detailing the responsibilities of the Levites who worked the temple than any other function in Israel’s government. That’s because the temple and its administration were more important than any tribal, military, or state leadership position. And in the center of the most important institution, the Chronicler names those responsible for one of the temple’s most important functions—prophetic singing. At the center of Israel’s government are musicians who offer divine guidance to Israel’s leadership through song (1 Chronicles 25:1). The massive government David hands to his son is centered around the worship of God and the guidance he provides. 

Where is the Gospel?

David hands Solomon everything he needs to build God’s temple. While there is some mention of the raw materials David acquires for the project, that’s not the focus of these chapters (1 Chronicles 22:2-4, 14-16). Far more important than gold, silver, or timber are the priests David appoints to build and serve in God’s temple. And the most central priests David appoints are those who speak and sing on God’s behalf (1 Chronicles 25:1). More than the stones and buildings, the Chronicler wants us to understand that God’s priests and people are the most essential part of his temple. 

Similarly, David’s son, Jesus, has made preparations for us to be a part of his new temple. Like David, he has made peace through a bloody conflict. On the cross, Jesus went to war with our greatest enemies—sin and Satan—and he defeated them by rising from the dead. Jesus has prepared our hearts to be at peace with one another and at peace with God forever (Romans 5:1). And just as David gave inexperienced Solomon everything he needed to build a temple, Jesus has given us everything we need to build his new temple through the Holy Spirit. Jesus has prepared, in advance, for our good works of administration, teaching, and even singing so that God’s people can be built up and encouraged (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Jesus has totally equipped us to join his work of building a new temple and kingdom on earth.

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who guides his people. And may you see Jesus as the one who prepares a temple so that God will guide us always.