1 Chronicles 28:11 - Meaning and Application

As for David’s general charge to his son to seek God and serve him, the law of God was his only rule, and no other was needed. But when it came to building the temple, David had to give Solomon three things: a model of the building, the materials for the most costly parts, and directions for where to look for help in the work.

First, David gave him the design of the temple, because it was unlike any building Solomon or his builders had ever seen. Moses was shown a pattern of the tabernacle on the mountain (Hebrews 8:5), and David received a pattern of the temple by God’s direct hand, as 1 Chronicles 28:19 says. It was given to him in writing, likely through an angel, or at least it was placed so clearly in his mind that it was as if written before him. Verse 12 says he had this pattern by the Spirit.

This was no place to rely on David’s devotion or Solomon’s wisdom. The temple had to be a holy thing and a picture of Christ, so it needed meaning as well as beauty and usefulness. It was like a sacred sign, and so it could not be left to human imagination. It had to be built by God’s own direction. Christ, the true temple, the church, which is the gospel temple, and heaven, the lasting temple, are all formed according to God’s plan, laid in his wisdom before the world began for his glory and our good.

David passed this pattern on to Solomon so he would know what to prepare and have a sure guide. In the same way, when Christ gave his disciples the task of building his church, he gave them a clear pattern and told them to follow only what he commanded. The model included the porch, which rose higher than the rest like a tower, then the main rooms, the holy place and the most holy place, along with the side rooms for treasures, storage, and other chambers. It also included the mercy seat, the place where God showed mercy, in verse 11.

The courts and the rooms around them were also part of the plan, since they held the dedicated things. Bishop Patrick thinks that among these things were the tabernacle that Moses had set up, along with its utensils, which were no longer needed. If so, that would show that in the fullness of time, the whole Mosaic system, with its rites and ceremonies, would be respectfully set aside and something better would take its place.

David also gave Solomon a table showing the divisions of the priests, patterns of the service vessels, and a model of the chariot of the cherubim, verse 18. Besides the two cherubim over the mercy seat, there were two much larger ones in the temple, with wings reaching from wall to wall (1 Kings 6:23, etc.). David called this a chariot, because the angels are pictured as God’s chariot, as in Psalm 68:17.

Second, David provided the materials for the richest temple items. He weighed out the exact amount of gold and silver for each vessel, so none would be made smaller or poorer than the pattern required, verse 14. In the tabernacle there had been only one golden lampstand, but in the temple there were ten (1 Kings 7:49), along with silver ones, which were likely smaller hand lamps, verse 15.

In the tabernacle there had been only one table, but in the temple there were ten more for other uses, besides silver tables (2 Chronicles 4:8). Since the temple was much larger than the tabernacle, it would have looked empty without enough furniture. The gold for the altar of incense is called refined gold, verse 18, meaning especially pure gold. That fit the altar’s meaning, since it pointed to Christ’s intercession, and nothing is more pure or perfect than that.

Third, David told Solomon where to look for help in this great task. He was not to fear opposition, the cost, the work, failure, or the shame of beginning and not finishing. He was not to be discouraged. God would help him, and he must look to God first, verse 20. David spoke from his own experience: the Lord God, whom he had chosen and served, had been with him, had guided him, and had prospered him. That same God would be with Solomon, direct him, strengthen him, and make his work prosper. He would not fail him or leave him.

We can be sure that God, who supported our fathers and carried them through the work of their time, will do the same for us if we stay faithful. This was the encouragement given to Joshua (Joshua 1:5), to Solomon, and to all believers (Hebrews 13:5). He will never leave you or forsake you. God never leaves anyone unless they first leave him.

Good people would also help Solomon, verse 21. The priests and Levites would advise him, and he could consult them. He also had skilled workers who were willing to do the work, and both willingness and skill are excellent qualities in a worker, especially in building the temple. The princes and the people would not hinder the work, but would be ready to follow Solomon’s lead and help in every way. Good work is likely to go well when everyone involved is sincere, united, and eager to do their part.