1 Chronicles Chapter 22 — David's Preparations for the Temple
David prepares vast resources and skilled laborers for the Temple and commissions his son Solomon to build it as a man of peace.
1Then David said, “This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut dressed stones to build God’s house.
3David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the couplings, and bronze in abundance without weight,
4and cedar trees without number, for the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
5David said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.
7David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.
8But the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.
9Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
10He shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and prosper you, and build the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you.
12May the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.
13Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed.
14Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents*A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces, so 100,000 talents is about 3 metric tons of gold, one million talents†about 30,000 metric tons of silver, and bronze and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them.
15There are also workmen with you in abundance—cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work;
16of the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may the LORD be with you.”
17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18“Isn’t the LORD your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD and before his people.
19Now set your heart and your soul to follow the LORD your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the LORD’s name.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Chronicles 22:8
“But the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.’”
This verse explains why David was disqualified from building the Temple, distinguishing between a time of war and a time of peace.
1 Chronicles 22:13
“Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed.”
This classic exhortation links success and strength directly to the observance of God's laws.
1 Chronicles 22:19
“Now set your heart and your soul to follow the LORD your God.”
This verse highlights the spiritual devotion required to accompany the physical labor of building the sanctuary.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Chronicles Chapter 22, King David begins the extensive preparations for building the Temple in Jerusalem. Although David desired to build the house himself, he explains that God chose his son Solomon for the task because Solomon would be a man of peace, whereas David had shed much blood in war. David gathers immense quantities of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and cedar wood, while also enlisting skilled stonecutters and craftsmen. He encourages Solomon to be strong and courageous, emphasizing that prosperity follows obedience to the laws given to Moses. David also commands the leaders of Israel to support Solomon in this sacred duty, urging them to set their hearts and souls on following the Lord and completing the sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the text, God told David that he had shed too much blood and fought many wars. The Temple was to be built by a man of peace, which God identified as David's son, Solomon.
David gathered a vast amount of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and stone. He also received cedar trees in abundance from the Sidonians and the people of Tyre to be used for the construction.
David advised Solomon to be strong and courageous, and to carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the Lord gave to Moses. He also prayed that the Lord would give Solomon discretion and understanding.
David commanded all the princes and leaders of Israel to help Solomon. He reminded them that God had given them rest on every side and urged them to set their hearts on following God and building the sanctuary.
Study Note
The emphasis on Solomon as a 'man of rest' highlights a shift in Israel's history from conquest and consolidation to established worship and national stability.
Related Chapters
2 Samuel 7
This chapter contains the original promise from God that David's descendant would build the Temple.
1 Kings 5
This chapter records Solomon's actual commencement of the Temple construction using the materials David prepared.
1 Chronicles 28
David provides further public instructions and the specific plans for the Temple to Solomon and the assembly.
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