1 Chronicles 29:23 - Meaning and Application

These verses bring Solomon to the throne and David to the grave. The younger generation takes the place of the former one and says, “Make room for us.” Everyone has his own day.

Solomon is now raised up. “Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord” means the throne of Israel, not God’s throne in heaven. It is called the Lord’s throne because God is King over all nations, and especially over Israel, as he told Samuel, “The Lord chose the kingdom” (1 Samuel 12:12). God also gave Israel’s kings their laws, by direct instruction. The Urim and the prophets were the private advisers of their rulers, so their throne was rightly called the throne of the Lord.

Solomon’s kingdom also pointed forward to the Messiah’s kingdom, and Christ’s throne is truly the Lord’s throne. The Father has given all judgment to him, and that is why God calls him “my King” (Psalm 2:6). Because Solomon was placed on the throne where God had appointed him, he prospered. Those who follow God’s leading can expect his blessing.

Solomon prospered in two ways. First, his people gave him the honor that belonged to him. “All Israel obeyed him” means they were ready to swear loyalty to him. The princes, the mighty men, and even David’s sons submitted themselves, although by age some of them might have claimed the crown before him. God had chosen Solomon and made him fit to rule, so they accepted him. God also inclined their hearts to do this, so his reign would begin in peace.

David had been a better man than Solomon, yet he came to the throne with much more trouble, after long delay and many slow steps. David had more faith, and so his faith was tested more. They “submitted themselves,” or, as the Hebrew says, they “gave the hand under Solomon.” That was an ancient way of swearing loyalty, like placing the hand under the thigh in an oath. It may also mean they were so fully devoted that they would have put their hand under his feet to serve him.

Second, God himself honored Solomon. Those who honor God, he will honor. The Lord greatly lifted Solomon up. His very look and presence, it seems, carried something impressive and awe-inspiring. What he said and did commanded respect. None of the judges or kings of Israel before him displayed such splendor.

Now David is laid down, the great man leaving the stage. The historian brings him to the end of his day, leaves him as one asleep, and draws the curtains over him.

A brief account is given of the length of his reign. He ruled for forty years, as did Moses, Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Eli, Samuel, and Saul before him, and Solomon after him.

A short account is also given of his death. He died “full of days, riches, and honor.” That means two things. First, he was loaded with them. He was very old, very rich, and greatly honored by both God and people. He had been a man of war from his youth, always in danger, yet he was not cut off in the middle of his life. God kept him through the dangers of battle, gave him a good old age, and let him die in peace, in his bed, yet in honor.

Second, he was satisfied with them. He had enough of this world and its riches and honors, and he knew it. He was willing to die and leave it all, as he had said, “God will receive me” (Psalm 49:15), and, “You are with me” (Psalm 23:4). A good man may soon be full of days, riches, and honor, but he is never satisfied with them. Only God’s faithful love can satisfy him.

For a fuller account of David’s life and reign, the writer points to the records of those times. Samuel began them while he was alive, and Nathan and Gad continued them after his death. They told what was worth noting in David’s rule at home and his wars abroad, that is, the events that passed over him. These records existed then, but they are lost now. We can still make good use of church histories that are trustworthy, even if they are not sacred Scripture or inspired by God.