David (as King, remembered)
Category: Wholehearted devotion & preparation for God’s house
Could avoid: Rule like other kings, focusing on power and wealth.
“David said, ‘I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD… But God said to me, “You are not to build a house for my Name.”’” (1 Chronicles 28:2–3)
Cross-Refs: 2 Samuel 7:12–13; Acts 13:22.
Chose: Prepared abundantly for the temple though he could not build it.
“With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God.” (1 Chronicles 29:2)
Cross-Refs: 1 Kings 8:17–19; 1 Corinthians 3:9.
Endured: Battles, personal failures, discipline, grief.
“David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.” (1 Chronicles 18:14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 23:4; Hebrews 12:6–7.
Why: Desired to glorify God above himself.
“I take no delight in my house… but in the house of my God.” (1 Chronicles 29:3)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 27:4; Matthew 6:33.
Result: Secured materials and leadership support for Solomon.
“Then the people rejoiced… for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 29:9)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 35:21–22; 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Levites & Priests
Category: Faithful service & carrying God’s presence
Could avoid: Live ordinary lives without priestly burdens.
“The Levites carried the ark of God with poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 15:15)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8.
Chose: Dedicated themselves to temple service and music.
“David said to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians.” (1 Chronicles 15:16)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 29:11; Colossians 3:16.
Endured: Lifelong service, danger of irreverence, strict requirements.
“The Levites were to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 23:28)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 18:5–7; Hebrews 7:27.
Why: Called to holiness and honouring God’s presence.
“For the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 15:2)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 18:5; 1 Peter 2:9.
Result: Worship established, ark brought to Jerusalem with joy.
“So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets.” (1 Chronicles 15:28)
Cross-Refs: 2 Samuel 6:15; Revelation 15:3–4.
The People of Israel (Temple Giving)
Category: Sacrificial generosity & covenant loyalty
Could avoid: Keep their wealth for themselves.
“Besides, in my devotion… I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver.” (1 Chronicles 29:3)
Cross-Refs: Haggai 1:4; Luke 12:15.
Chose: Gave willingly and wholeheartedly for the temple.
“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 29:9)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 35:21–22; 2 Corinthians 8:2–3.
Endured: Sacrificial loss of treasures and resources.
“They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold.” (1 Chronicles 29:7)
Cross-Refs: Mark 12:44; Philippians 4:18.
Why: Their hearts were moved to honour God.
“Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14)
Cross-Refs: James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Result: Temple preparations completed, God praised among His people.
“David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly.” (1 Chronicles 29:10)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 4:11; Psalm 96:7–8.
David’s Final Charge to Solomon
Category: Generational faithfulness & exhortation
Could avoid: Retire quietly at the end of his reign.
“I am about to go the way of all the earth.” (1 Kings 2:2 → parallel to 1 Chronicles 28)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 23:14; 2 Timothy 4:6–7.
Chose: Charged Solomon and leaders to serve God wholeheartedly.
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 10:12; Matthew 22:37.
Endured: The burden of preparing the next generation for God’s work.
“Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 28:11)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 25:40; Hebrews 8:5.
Why: Desired God’s covenant to continue beyond his lifetime.
“Be strong and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20.
Result: Solomon strengthened to build the temple.
“Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David.” (1 Chronicles 29:23)
Cross-Refs: 1 Kings 2:12; 2 Chronicles 1:1.