Topical Bible Study: David's Temple Dedication

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David's Temple Dedication

INTRODUCTION: David transferred his kingdom to his son Solomon, explained how the temple in Jerusalem was to be built with all the materials that were prepared, and delivered a dedication prayer for the temple. David had been told by the LORD that he could not build the temple, but his son Solomon was to have that honor.

NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Version.

A - DAVID GAVE SOLOMON THE TEMPLE PLANS

1 Chronicles 28 "11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: 13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD. 14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service: 15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick. 16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of show bread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver: 17 Also pure gold for the meat hooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver: 18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand on me, even all the works of this pattern. 20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with you for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with you for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at your commandment."

COMMENTS: King David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, and there were many details. This is very much like the way the LORD had given precise details to Moses in the wilderness to prepare the tabernacle. Exodus 25 "1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that gives it willingly with his heart you shall take my offering. 3 And this is the offering which you shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, 4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, 5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, 6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, 7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall you make it." The instructions were very extensive in passages that followed in the book of the law so Solomon would have many parallel details to reference along with those specific ones given to King David for constructing a building rather than a tent. David gave much gold and silver for all instruments of all manner of service: candlesticks and for their lamps, tables of show bread, meat hooks, the bowls and cups, basins, the altar of incense, and the chariot of the cherubim.

King David said the LORD had made him to understand by guiding him to put the entire pattern down in writing, and this was a confirmation of his earlier comment that the pattern was by the Spirit. David then encouraged Solomon not to have any fear or dismay for the LORD God would not fail or forsake him until all was completed, and he would have the service of every willing skillful man, for any manner of service. Also the princes and all the people would be wholly at Solomon's commandment.

B - DAVID INFORMED ALL THE PEOPLE

1 Chronicles 29 "1 Furthermore David the king said to all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. 2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. 3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of my own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house. 4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses with: 5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day to the LORD? 6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly, 7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. 8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy."

COMMENTS: King David addressed the people to make sure that they understood that even though Solomon was a young man, he had been chosen by the LORD from among all of David's sons to be his successor on the throne. He then told them that in addition to the many things that had been set aside for the temple; he added more of his own personal gifts out of his affection to the house of his God. David then challenged the people to consider whether they would be willing to consecrate service to the LORD. Chief men of the tribes of Israel, captains of thousands and of hundreds, and rulers of the king's work led the way in an abundant giving for the house of God. The people rejoiced because these offerings had been made freely and with a whole heart for God, and David the king also rejoiced greatly.

C - DAVID LED THE PEOPLE IN PRAISE AND PRAYER

1 Chronicles 29 "10 Why David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be you, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; your is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come of you, and you reign over all; and in your hand is power and might; and in your hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you an house for your holy name comes of your hand, and is all your own. 17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, which are present here, to offer willingly to you. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart to you: 19 And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision."

COMMENTS: Before the entire congregation David began by blessing the LORD God of their father Israel, for ever and ever. He acknowledged many wonderful attributes of God as he exalted him as head above all and that he reigns over everything. All riches, power, victory, and greatness for man come from the LORD. the tings David has said makes a good starting point for all believers to stop to consider the unequaled and boundless majesty of the God that we serve, and reviewing all of David's words provides an excellent way to do that. After personally contemplating all that David has said of the LORD, we too should be humbled before him as we praise his glorious name.

David acknowledged that neither he nor the children of Israel were specially qualified for the privilege to be willing to offer in the manner they demonstrated, for everything they gave had come from God who supplies all things for life. Christians are chosen people just as the nation of Israel had been chosen by the LORD for his own glory. Believers must remember that we are strangers before the LORD, and sojourners, as were all the saints of old: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and those days for each of us will end. So again, we need to be reminded that all that we have to offer the LORD has come from his provision, and we therefore should readily return it to him as our sacrifice of love because he searches our hearts and takes pleasure in sincere motives. David knew his own heart and he believed the people had pure motives as he felt great joy from their giving. David made an earnest request of the LORD to keep for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of his people all of these things and to prepare their hearts for him. What a worthy prayer to ask for ourselves and for our fellow Christians. David's final request of the LORD was to give to Solomon a perfect heart, to keep God's commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the temple.

D - SOLOMON'S SECOND CORONATION AS KING

1 Chronicles 29 "20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king. 21 And they sacrificed sacrifices to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: 22 And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest."

COMMENTS: David gave the people an opportunity, and they blessed the LORD and bowed before him in worship, and on the following day they offered many sacrifices and burnt offerings in great number for all Israel. They ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness, and they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to the LORD to be the chief ruler, and Zadok to be priest. This was a celebration that was better prepared to make positive affirmation before all the people, since the first ceremony had been hurriedly put together while Solomon's older brother Adonijah was being declared king in a ceremony without the knowledge or blessing of King David. Since the priest Abiathar was part of that rebellion by Adonijah, he was replaced as Zadok became the priest. 1 Kings 1 "32 And King David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. 33 The king also said to them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow you with the trumpet, and say, God save King Solomon. 35 Then you shall come up after him, that he may come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. ... 39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save King Solomon."

E - SOLOMON BEGAN TO REIGN AS KING OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH

1 Chronicles 29 "23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. 24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of King David, submitted themselves to Solomon the king. 25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead."

COMMENTS: After the second coronation, Solomon was firmly established on the throne of the LORD. That statement made an important distinction in the inspired text as the emphasis was not on David's throne, but it was a throne in service to the LORD who provided all things for his chosen people. Solomon prospered as the entire kingdom submitted to him. The LORD made Solomon great in the eyes of all Israel, and gave him exceeding royal majesty more than any king before him in Israel. David the son of Jesse had reigned over Israel for forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. He died at a very old age with a life that had been filled with riches and honor, as the text allows that those blessings over shadowed the many difficulties he experienced. Unlike his predecessor King Saul, despite attempts to the contrary, David saw the peaceful transition of rule to his son Solomon before dying a natural death.

--- REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ---

I thank you Lord that your mercy can bring each believer through times of difficulty and to a final rest that is a secure hope as you did for David. The full record of his life in scripture helps me to understand that even the most dedicated servant of God has times of failing, but you brought David through many difficulties and allowed him to make extensive preparations for the temple. David was in failing health near the end of his reign, and two of his older sons had already tried to wrest his throne away before you brought about just the right time for the succession to Solomon. David had the honor to dedicate all that he had accumulated for the temple, and to lead the people in prayer to glorify the LORD. What a blessed ending to David's life to see the child named for peace after David's transgression with Bathsheba and the death of their first child. I am so thankful Lord that you have provided peace for me through the death and resurrection of your Son, and I pray that I will continually turn to your word for strength against the wiles of the one who wants to lead me to rebel against you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who has sealed me to redemption, and may I not grieve Him in either thought or action. Hallelujah to my King! Amen.