2021 - 15 - Bible Reading, Temple Preparations

Week 15

Sunday’s Sermon:

Bible Readings:

Sunday, Apr 4: 2 Sam 1–3

Monday, Apr 5: 2 Sam 4–7

Tuesday, Apr 6: 2 Sam 8–12

Wednesday, Apr 7: 2 Sam 13–15

Thursday, Apr 8: 2 Sam 16–18

Friday, Apr 9: 2 Sam 19–21

Saturday, Apr 10: 2 Sam 22–24

Brief Overview of the Biblical Content

Temple Preparations

By: Doy Moyer

David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord. However, because of David’s situation and the fact that he was involved in so much war, God told him that his son would build it instead. When the time came, David told Solomon:

1 Chronicles 22:7–13 ESV

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.

David then told Solomon that “with great pains” he had made preparations for the temple to be built. There is much in these verses that remind us of God’s promises, David’s commitment, and the importance of following God’s will.

As part of the preparations made for the temple, David gathered materials, but he also set in order the work of the priests, established their respective responsibilities, and appointed singers and musicians. This would become the pattern for later restorations of the temple. He also told the leaders

1 Chronicles 22:18–19 ESV

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.”

David further addressed the people by calling on them to serve God faithfully. They were to support the great work of the temple, “for the temple is not for man, but for the Lord God” (1 Chr 29:1).

David had provided for this with all his ability, and he asked for the people to consecrate themselves willingly in order to provide for and work on the temple. The people responded and “offered willingly” to the work. This, in turn, had a great effect on their own attitudes: “Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly” (1 Chr 29:9).

David also responded by praising God in front of the entire assembly of people, then praying for the people and the work of the temple. They recognized that what they had given for the temple was God’s all along: “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You” (1 Chr 29:14).

When David was finished, he told the assembly, “‘Now bless the Lord your God.’ And all the assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the Lord and to the king” (v. 20). They offered up appropriate sacrifices, then once again recognized that Solomon would be the king in the place of David. “The Lord highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him royal majesty which had not been on any king before him in Israel” (v. 25). When David died, he was “full of days, riches and honor; and his Solomon reigned in his place” (v. 28).

At this point in their history, Israel was poised to truly be a great nation. Solomon would begin well, seeking the Lord and doing what is right. If he and the nation had stayed on that path, they could have been blessed beyond measure. All was in place. The temple would soon be built, and the nation would know the fulfillment of God’s promises. Justice could have rolled “down like waters” and righteousness “like an ever-flowing stream” throughout the land (cf. Amos 5:24). What began so well, however, would soon take some terrible turns.

Four questions to ask after each day’s reading:

Key events, teaching, or concept:

Key verses:

What is God telling me about Himself or my relationship with Him?

How does this apply to my life today?