Here, David spoke to the people in order to present Solomon as the next king and to establish him as the builder of the temple. David also shows the importance of preparation in the work he did to get ready for the construction of the house of the Lord.

What Does It Say?

1. David had in his heart to build a house of _______ for the ark of the covenant, but God did not allow him to do so because he had been a man of _______.
2. God promised concerning Solomon, “Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be _________ to do my commandments and my judgments.”
3. David encouraged Solomon to know the God of his father and serve Him with a _________ heart and with a __________ mind.
4. Oliver Cromwell said, “Man is immortal till his work is done.” David promised Solomon that the Lord would be with him; that “he will not fail thee, not forsake thee, until thou hast _________ all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”
5. Many people will be available to help Solomon build the temple, including for all manner of workmanship every willing _________ man.

What Does It Mean?

1. Please read verse nine. This verse teaches that the Lord understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. Explain what this means. Now consider what this verse says before and after this phrase and answer the question: how should this understanding of the Lord motivate us? That is, knowing God has this knowledge, what should we do? Try to give a deeper answer than: we should think good thoughts.
2. Where did Solomon get the plans for the temple? Ultimately, where did they come from? See verses 12 and 19. Why is this significant?
3. David gathered “gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims” (v.18). This is a description of the cherubim that were placed in the Holy of Holies with the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. How many cherubim were in the Holy of Holies (compare Exodus 25:18And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
   See All... with 1 Kings 6:23And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
   See All... – Note: the correct answer is not two)? Why would scripture speak of the CHARIOT of the cherubims? Compare Ezekiel 10:1-22 [1] Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. [2] And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. [3] Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. [4] Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD's glory. [5] And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh. [6] And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels. [7] And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out. [8] And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings. [9] And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone. [10] And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel. [11] When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went. [12] And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. [13] As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. [14] And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. [15] And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. [16] And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. [17] When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. [18] Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. [19] And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. [20] This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. [21] Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. [22] And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
   See All.... See also Psalm 68:17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
   See All....

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. See verses 2-3. David was called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
   See All...). He was the “sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
   See All...). Yet, God did not allow him to build the temple (“an house of rest”) because he was a “man of war.” This should teach us to be patient when God does not use us for something we desire to do. God divides His Spirit “to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
   See All...). What things have you wished you could do that God has not allowed? What has your reaction been? David did not react in anger but helped the man God chose to build the temple. Give some modern examples from your own life and from the lives of those you know. What can we learn from this?
2. David encouraged Solomon to do the job God had given to him. In verse 10, he states, “be strong, and do it.” In verse 20, he says, Be strong and of good courage, and do it.” When do we need encouragement like this? Why is being strong and courageous connected with doing something? When do you need this kind of advice?

Suggested Memory Verses

1 Chronicles 28:20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
See All...