1 Chronicles 28

David's Charge to Solomon and the Leaders

¹David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king by division, the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.

²Then David the king stood up on his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the LORD’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building.

³But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

⁴However the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.

⁵Of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom over Israel.

⁶He said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

⁷I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues to do my commandments and my ordinances, as it is today.’

⁸Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the LORD’s assembly, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

⁹You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

¹⁰Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”

The Plans for the Temple

¹¹Then David gave to Solomon his son the plans for the porch of the temple, for its houses, for its treasuries, for its upper rooms, for its inner rooms, for the place of the mercy seat;

¹²and the plans of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the LORD’s house, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of God’s house, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;

¹³also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the LORD’s house, and for all the vessels of service in the LORD’s house—

¹⁴of gold by weight for the gold for all vessels of every kind of service, for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service;

¹⁵by weight also for the lamp stands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lamp stand and for its lamps; and for the lamp stands of silver, by weight for every lamp stand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lamp stand;

¹⁶and the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver;

¹⁷and the forks, the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl;

¹⁸and for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and gold for the plans for the chariot, and the cherubim that spread out and cover the ark of the LORD’s covenant.

¹⁹“All this”, David said, “I have been made to understand in writing from the LORD’s hand, even all the works of this pattern.”

²⁰David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the LORD’s house is finished.

²¹Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing man who has skill for any kind of service shall be with you in all kinds of work. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.”

Previous 1 Chronicles 27

Next 1 Chronicles 29

David assembles Israel's leaders to formally announce Solomon as his successor and charge him with building the temple. He explains that while God prevented him from building the temple due to his warfare, God has chosen Solomon for this sacred task and provided detailed plans through divine revelation. David delivers solemn charges to both Solomon and the assembled leaders, emphasizing obedience to God's commandments and wholehearted devotion as essential for maintaining God's covenant blessings.

Context

This chapter follows David's organization of temple personnel in chapters 23-27 and precedes his final public appeal for temple offerings in chapter 29.

Key Themes

Outline

1
Assembly of Israel's Leaders David gathers all the princes, captains, and mighty men of Israel to Jerusalem for a solemn assembly.
2-8
David's Public Address David explains God's choice of Solomon over himself to build the temple and charges the assembly to obey God's commandments.
9-10
Personal Charge to Solomon David gives Solomon a direct, fatherly charge to know God intimately and build the temple with strength and courage.
11-19
Transfer of Temple Plans David presents Solomon with the detailed, Spirit-given plans for the temple, its furnishings, and the priestly service.
20-21
Final Encouragement David concludes with assurance that God will be with Solomon and that skilled workers are ready to assist.

David's Charge to Solomon and the Leaders

28:1–28:10

narrative speech solemn

David addresses Israel's leaders, explaining God's choice of Solomon to build the temple and establishing the conditional nature of the covenant. He charges Solomon and the people to obey God's commandments to secure their inheritance.

person_contrast

David's final public address uniquely emphasizes conditional obedience to commandments for securing inheritance, departing from his typical focus on divine covenant and royal authority.

The Plans for the Temple

28:11–28:21

narrative instruction solemn

David provides Solomon with detailed temple plans received through divine revelation, including specifications for furnishings and priestly divisions. He encourages Solomon to be strong and courageous in completing this sacred work.

person_contrast

David transforms from warrior-king to prophetic architect, receiving temple blueprints "by the Spirit" in language typically reserved for Moses receiving tabernacle instructions.

Insight Character Study

David's final public address uniquely emphasizes conditional obedience to commandments for securing inheritance, departing from his typical focus on divine covenant and royal authority.

Insight Character Study

David transforms from warrior-king to prophetic architect, receiving temple blueprints "by the Spirit" in language typically reserved for Moses receiving tabernacle instructions.