The book of Proverbs contains a significant section in which Solomon is giving instructions to his son for life. It is a natural desire for parents to want their children to succeed in life. Parents want their children to fail where they failed and to have an even better life than they might have experienced. In 1 Chronicles we also read King David wants to give his son Solomon the directions he needs for success as he gives instructions regarding the construction of the temple. So we are going to look at David’s words of success for his son and then look at David’s words of success to the people of Israel.
Preparing For God’s Presence (1 Chronicles 22:1-10)
Chapter 22 of 1 Chronicles begins with David making preparations for God’s presence to dwell in a new temple that his son is going to construct. Remember in 1 Chronicles 17 David proclaimed his desire to build God a house. But God responded that rather than David building him a house, God would build David a house. However, God did state David’s offspring would build him a house. The account in 2 Samuel 7:13-14 gives a little more clarity that Solomon would build a physical temple to the Lord. But David is going to make the preparations so that Solomon succeeds in this effort. You see David proclaim this in 1 Chronicles 22:5. David says that is son is young and inexperienced. David wants to make sure that the house built to the Lord will cause the nations to glory in the Lord. Part of David’s preparation efforts is to give important directions to his son.
In verse 7 David explains to his son that he desired to build God a house for God’s glory. But God did not give David permission to do this. The reason is given in verse 8. The Lord told David that he had shed much blood and fought many wars. Now I want to spend a moment considering what God meant by this. Didn’t God give David directions to go and fight these nations and gave David victory? When you read through 1 Chronicles as we have, we have seen that God was giving David victory everywhere he went (cf. 1 Chronicles 19:6,13). If God did not want David to win these battles, then David would have failed. We have also read that God has been with David wherever he went (cf. 1 Chronicles 11:9; 17:2). So what does God mean by not allowing David to build the temple when it was God’s instructions to fight against these peoples and nations? Did God tell David to do these things and now is criticizing David for doing it? I want us to consider that there are other scriptures that tell us what God meant. These scriptures show that God did not mean this as a moral criticism of David. First, let us consider what Moses said was going to happen when the people entered the land.
But when you go over the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and when he gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety, then to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, and all your finest vow offerings that you vow to the LORD. (Deuteronomy 12:10-11 ESV)
Notice when the Lord with have a place to make his name dwell and when everyone will bring their offerings. This would happen when God gave the people rest from all their enemies so that the people live in safety. During David’s reign this had not happened yet. David is battling the Ammonites, Philistines, and Moabites to secure the kingdom. Notice that David understood this and Solomon said this.
And Solomon sent word to Hiram, “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God…. (1 Kings 5:2-5 ESV)
Solomon says that David could not build the temple because he was at war with the nations. The temple was supposed to be built when God had given the people rest on every side. The temple would represent the peace that God had given to his people so that they had no reason fear their enemies and would no longer be under threat. As you come back to 1 Chronicles 22:9 you see that this is what God told David regarding Solomon. David would be a man of war but Solomon would be a man of peace and rest. David’s son would bring peace and quiet to the people. The temple was a statement that the battles are over and the victory had been achieved. The temple was a symbol of God’s established rule and settled kingdom.
Preparing For Success (1 Chronicles 22:11-19)
Now David is ready to give his directions to his son in verse 11. David says that he wants the Lord to be with his son so that he will succeed in building a house to the Lord. David also wants the Lord to give Solomon discretion and understanding to that he will keep the law of the Lord. Now notice verse 13. David says that Solomon will have success and prosper “if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
The first step for success in life with God is to be careful to follow the laws that God has given. I am surprised at how many people who claim to be followers of God do not think it is important or necessary to be careful to follow the decrees that the Lord gave. But David clearly teaches his son that if you want to succeed in this project, then you must be careful to observe God’s commands. The apostle Paul said the same thing to the Ephesian Christians.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV)
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:8 ESV)
We must understand the will of the Lord and be careful to walk wisely before the Lord. But I also want us to notice the second direction that David instructs his son for success. David tells his son to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Why does David say this? Friends, it takes strength to carefully follow God’s will. You are going to need courage to do what God tells you to do. What God tells us to do is not always easy. What God tells us to do can make us afraid. What God says to do requires courage. Sometimes we can be discouraged from doing what God has commanded because the command may be hard for us or doing what God says will bring resistance. But you must be strong and courageous to obey the Lord. It takes no strength and no courage to disobey him. But it does take great strength to listen to God, to carefully obey him, and to follow him no matter how hard the command is that he has given to us.
David continues by telling Solomon that he has provided what is needed for this project (1 Chronicles 22:14-16). This leads to David’s third instruction for success. The first step is to carefully obey what God says. The second step is to be strong and courageous and to not be afraid to do what God says. The third step is in verses 18-19. David tells Solomon that God is with him and given him rest. Therefore devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Determine in your heart to do the work God has given you to do. Being half-hearted with God will not lead to success with him. A divided heart will lead to a failed spiritual life. Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters. We must be determined to seek the Lord with our whole being for us to have success.
Now you might have noticed that the definition of success was not what the world uses. The world defines success with wealth, possessions, influence, power, and reputation. But relationship with God is life success. The truly good life is found by listening to God and being in relationship with God. But this requires care, strength, courage, and devotion to do the work that God has given to each of us.
Temple Worship Established (1 Chronicles 23-27)
In chapter 23 we read that David is old and makes Solomon king over Israel. Chapters 23-27 record all the preparations that are made for worshiping the Lord once the temple is constructed. These chapters record the Chronicler’s continued emphasis on worshiping God in the way God prescribes. Look at 1 Chronicles 23:31 where the Levites are established to serve the Lord regularly in the proper number and the proper way prescribed for them. Worship was not everyone doing what they wanted or what they think was best. Worship was following what God prescribed for them to do. You read this again in 1 Chronicles 24:19. The temple worship was according to the regulations prescribed as the Lord had commanded. Finally, the Chronicler reminds the audience what happened to Nadab and Abihu, two priests who did not follow God’s prescribed regulations (1 Chronicles 24:2). They died before their father did. In other words, they did not have a successful life before God because they disobeyed.
David’s Instructions For Success (1 Chronicles 28)
In chapter 28 David assembles all the leaders of Israel and tells them the plan for success that God had revealed to him and for his son, Solomon. This chapter will be our conclusion to this lesson because these instructions through repetition emphasize for us what we must do for successful living.
“I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.” Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing 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. And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. (1 Chronicles 28:7-9 ESV)
Notice that David again points to the same three steps for success. Carefully follow all the commands of the Lord. Be strong in keeping God’s commands and rules. Serve the Lord with a whole heart and with a willing mind. But notice the important and wonderful conclusion drawn in verse 9. “If you seek him, he will be found by you. But if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” Please think about this. If you seek the Lord, you will find him. If you want a relationship with God, you can have it. If you want to draw near to God, he will draw near to you (cf. James 4:8). This is our amazing hope that the Chronicler offers. You may have fallen. You may have failed. Israel had been carried into captivity because of their rejection of the Lord and his laws. But now they could have a restored relationship and worship the Lord if they will carefully seek him, be strong in keeping his commands, and serve him with a whole heart and willing mind.
Jesus, Our Hope
I want to conclude with one more picture of our hope. We noted that David could not build the temple because he had been a warrior and shed blood (cf. 1 Chronicles 28:3). But the promise had been given that the Lord would establish his name when he had given the people rest. Solomon would build the temple as a symbol that the battles were won, the kingdom was established, and God was giving rest to his people. Now think about how Jesus is the true temple to the Lord. In John 2:21 Jesus was referring to his own body as the temple. Jesus is the true temple through whom we have access to God and are able to worship the Lord. But please think about the symbolic meaning as well. God establishing his temple in Christ means that the war is over and the kingdom has been established. This is the beautiful picture of Revelation. The outcome has been determine and the victory has been achieved because Christ has risen from dead. Jesus as our temple means that we are living in peace with him. What can anyone do to us now that we are joined to Jesus (cf. Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:35-37)? Jesus is our temple and we are able to enter into the rest that has been promised to those who love him (cf. Hebrews 4:1). So be careful to obey him. Be strong and courageous and do not be afraid as you keep his word. Devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord.
