Topical Encyclopedia
The preparation for the construction of Solomon's Temple, often referred to as the First Temple, is a significant event in biblical history, primarily orchestrated by King David, Solomon's father. Although David was not permitted by God to build the temple himself, he played a crucial role in its preparation, laying the groundwork for his son Solomon to undertake the actual construction.
Divine Prohibition and PromiseDavid's desire to build a house for the Lord is first expressed in
2 Samuel 7. David, having established his kingdom and settled in his palace, felt it was inappropriate for the Ark of the Covenant to remain in a tent. However, God, through the prophet Nathan, informed David that he was not the one to build the temple. Instead, God promised David that his offspring would build the house for His name. This promise is recorded in
2 Samuel 7:12-13 : "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."
Reasons for David's DisqualificationThe reason for David's disqualification is further elaborated in
1 Chronicles 22:8 , where David recounts God's words: "But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and fought many wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.’" Despite his disqualification, David's heart remained devoted to the task, and he took extensive measures to ensure that Solomon would have all the necessary resources and plans to build the temple.
Gathering Materials and ResourcesDavid's preparations were extensive and meticulous. He amassed vast quantities of materials, including gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
1 Chronicles 22:14 details David's efforts: "Now behold, with great effort I have provided for the house of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, and you may add to them."
David also organized the labor force, enlisting skilled craftsmen and laborers. He appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stones and gathered cedar logs from Tyre and Sidon, as noted in
1 Chronicles 22:2-4. His preparations ensured that Solomon would have all the necessary resources to construct the temple without delay.
Instructions to SolomonDavid's instructions to Solomon were both practical and spiritual. He charged Solomon to be strong and courageous, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments. In
1 Chronicles 22:11-13 , David exhorts Solomon: "Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would. Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He gives you command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged."
Organizational and Liturgical PreparationsBeyond material preparations, David also organized the Levitical priesthood and established the divisions of priests and Levites, as recorded in
1 Chronicles 23-26. He set in place the musical arrangements and the duties of the gatekeepers, ensuring that the temple worship would be conducted in an orderly and God-honoring manner.
David's Final ChargeIn a public assembly, David reiterated his charge to Solomon and the leaders of Israel, emphasizing the importance of the temple as a place for God's presence and worship. He encouraged the people to support Solomon and contribute willingly to the temple's construction. This is captured in
1 Chronicles 28-29, where David's passion for the temple and his dedication to God's glory are evident.
David's extensive preparations for the temple underscore his devotion to God and his desire to see a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. His efforts laid a solid foundation for Solomon, who would go on to build one of the most magnificent structures of the ancient world, fulfilling God's promise to David.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Chronicles 22:1Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
Nave's Topical Index1 Chronicles 28:14-18
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:
Nave's Topical Index
1 Chronicles 29:1-5
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.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Chronicles 5:1
Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Great Preparations for a Great Work
... with verse 3, where He is called David's God. ... nets, or great wealth like that which
Solomon found in ... treasuries and devoted to building the Temple, gives much ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/great preparations for a great.htm
Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... me, even all the works of their pattern.' Thus, therefore, David gave to ... fell those
trees, and to dig those stones, with which Solomon built the Temple. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm
Chronicles
... of silver for the building of the temple (1 Chronicles ... and impossible sum when we
remember that Solomon himself had ... with the romantic story of David (1 Samuel ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm
The Desire of all Nations
... his finger have outdone the glory of Solomon's temple, but in ... the visible glory of
the true second temple will be ... Couldest thou say, with David, "He is all my ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the desire of all nations.htm
The Greater Prophets.
... exercising the prophetical office, like David, only in ... prophecy of the rebuilding
of Solomon's temple with the ... nothing Jewish in it, neither temple nor altar. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm
The Land and the People.
... for the life-giving spirit, and the temple of God was ... Son, as they called the Messiah,
from David's sword, sceptre ... from bc130-30), the Psalter of Solomon (bc63 ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm
A Discourse
... I shall have my path pleasant and green, and this makes me tread the ... As Solomon built
a house for Pharaoh's daughter, and that called the temple of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm
The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... in the solemn grandeur of the Temple, between the ... before their birth: Isaac, Ishmael,
Moses, Solomon, Josiah, and ... the Comforter, Isaiah 51:3); David (Psalm 18 ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm
The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... of to Jehoshaphat, in order to glorify the house of David. ... admitted because it bore
the name of Solomon; and Daniel's ... with much older ones in the temple service ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm
John.
... a descendant of David, and yet the Lord of David (Matt.22 ... which is by interpretation
Sent" (9:7), Solomon's porch as ... said, I am able to destroy the temple of God ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 83 john.htm
Resources
What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Zerubbabel's temple/the second temple? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Solomon's temple / the first temple? How many temples were there? | GotQuestions.orgTemple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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