Arise and Build!

Godly Preparation For An Exceedingly Magnificent Endeavor

(1 Chronicles 22:2-19, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, February 25, 2018)

[2] David commanded to gather together the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. [3] David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, [4] and cedar timbers without number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David. [5] For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.

[6] Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. [7] David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. [8] But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. [9] Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. [10] He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’

[11] “Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you. [12] Only, may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your God. [13] Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. [14] With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. [15] You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working [16] gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!”

[17] David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, [18] “Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and his people. [19] Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.”

Material preparation for a great work

David was very desirous of accomplishing a great work for the Lord, but was prevented from doing so. Nonetheless, he wanted to help in the necessary preparations for the building of the Lord's temple to be completed by his son Solomon. A first step in this preparation, which took up most of the remaining chapters in 1 Chronicles, was the gathering of some of the materials necessary for the successful completion of the job.

Solomon was not building a religious idea without any physical substance. The God who cares about our needs for health, food, and shelter had given to David's son the task of building a real building. Therefore David organized the collection of special stones, iron, bronze, cedar, and many other necessities that were not mentioned in this chapter.

Exhortation to Solomon

How could Solomon do what was far beyond him? All would require great faith and courage. David first gave a stirring exhortation to Solomon. This important man of history was David's son, yet Solomon's father's words go beyond David to God as the father of the true builder of the Lord's house. God says, “He shall build a house for My Name. He shall be My son, and I will be his Father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.” These must have been mysterious words at the time they were delivered. What could the Lord mean by these promises? Now we know. Back to David.

David was not permitted to do the work himself. He had “shed much blood and waged great wars.” Solomon (name from “peaceful”) would be “a man of rest.” The Lord would establish him as king, granting “rest from all his surrounding enemies.” The “peace and quiet” would allow him to complete this great work (1 Tim. 2:2).

God would equip David's son with “discretion and understanding.” He would give the new king “charge over Israel” with the good desire that the king and the nation would “keep the Law of the Lord.” Then there would be prosperity. David encouraged Solomon with the words used in the Bible for a big project when one leader must die and another takes his place. “Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.” David spoke to Solomon of his provision of materials and people, though more would be needed. He then concluded with these stirring words, “Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”

Exhortation to the leaders

The king then turned his attention toward the leaders under Solomon whose help would be important for the completion of this great work. He asked two great questions: “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you peace on every side?” Rather than force a confession of faith, the “Yes” and “Amen” could come from their mouths.

With those great affirmations, David could continue to challenge them to move further in the direction of godly obedience. “Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.” Then concluding with words that were similar to those he had just spoken to Solomon: “Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God.” Why? “So that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the Name of the Lord.” This great conclusion gave all the glory to God, as was right.

Beyond David and Solomon

God's Son has a good Word for us today that takes us from Tabernacle to Temple to church (cf. Ps. 127, Heb. 3:1-6). David was not the first great man prevented by providence or death from accomplishing some great dream for God. (Remember Moses' speech to Joshua?) Jesus would die before the full appearing of His great kingdom, yet His death was not a setback in His mission, it established it (Psalm 118:22). He would rise up, living and reigning through His people. Neither Moses nor David could have accomplished that. Because of Jesus' great victory, His final kingdom mission is on, and you are a part of it. Do not assume that He can be stopped out in achieving His desires. Consider the preparation, and hear the exhortation. Rise up and build!

In the days of David and Solomon, God provided everything necessary for the work of building a magnificent temple in Jerusalem. Jesus is greater than Solomon, and He is building a far superior “temple.” He grants us all the gifts that we need for every aspect of this important work. Our greatest encouragement is that the Lord Himself is with us.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 46 – Be still, and know that I am God

Gospel Reading—Matthew 12:22-32 – A spiritual kingdom