1 Chronicles 27:1-29:30 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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David's Plan for the Temple
Comments for Study 11

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Memory Verse: 28:20
Questions
Outline

MAPS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
A MAP OF THE DIVISION OF CANAAN
A MAP OF DAVID'S ESCAPE FROM SAUL AND BATTLE AT GILBOA
A MAP OF DAVID'S CONQUESTS
A MAP OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
A MAP OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE
OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS TIMELINE
A LIST OF ISRAEL'S KINGS AND PROPHETS
A TIMELINE OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY
A TIMELINE FROM BABYLON TO ROMAN EMPIRES

I. Organization in the Army of Israel (27:1-34)

>1. How was David's kingdom organized? (1) What seems to be the only purpose of the twelve district governors? (1 Kings 4:7-19, 1 Kings 4:26-28)

* 1 Chronicles 27:1 "This is the list of the Israelites--heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men."

* 1 Kings 4 records Solomon's officials and governors.

* 1 Kings 4:1-6 "So King Solomon ruled over all Israel. And these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok--the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha--secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud--recorder; Benaiah son of Jehoiada--commander in chief; Zadok and Abiathar--priests; Azariah son of Nathan--in charge of the district officers; Zabud son of Nathan--a priest and personal adviser to the king; Ahishar--in charge of the palace; Adoniram son of Abda--in charge of forced labor."

* 1 Kings 4:7-19 "Solomon also had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household. Each one had to provide supplies for one month in the year. These are their names: Ben-Hur--in the hill country of Ephraim; Ben-Deker--in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh and Elon Bethhanan; Ben-Hesed--in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher were his); Ben-Abinadab--in Naphoth Dor (he was married to Taphath daughter of Solomon); Baana son of Ahilud--in Taanach and Megiddo, and in all of Beth Shan next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah across to Jokmeam; Ben-Geber--in Ramoth Gilead (the settlements of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead were his, as well as the district of Argob in Bashan and its sixty large walled cities with bronze gate bars); Ahinadab son of Iddo--in Mahanaim; Ahimaaz--in Naphtali (he had married Basemath daughter of Solomon); Baana son of Hushai--in Asher and in Aloth; Jehoshaphat son of Paruah--in Issachar; Shimei son of Ela--in Benjamin; Geber son of Uri--in Gilead (the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and the country of Og king of Bashan). He was the only governor over the district."

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>2. How was the officers of the tribes of Israel organized? (16-24) Compare Solomon's court to David's. (1 Kings 4:1-6; 2 Samuel 8:15-18, 20:23-26) What differences and similarities do you see?

* 1 Chronicles 27:16-24 "The officers over the tribes of Israel: over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zicri; over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maacah; 17 over Levi: Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron: Zadok; 18 over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David; over Issachar: Omri son of Michael; 19 over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel; 20 over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah; over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah; 21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner; 22 over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the officers over the tribes of Israel. 23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David."

* 1 Kings 4:1-19 records Solomon's officials and governors.

*1 Kings 4:7-19 "Solomon also had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household. Each one had to provide supplies for one month in the year. These are their names: Ben-Hur--in the hill country of Ephraim; Ben-Deker--in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh and Elon Bethhanan; Ben-Hesed--in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher were his); Ben-Abinadab--in Naphoth Dor (he was married to Taphath daughter of Solomon); Baana son of Ahilud--in Taanach and Megiddo, and in all of Beth Shan next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah across to Jokmeam; Ben-Geber--in Ramoth Gilead (the settlements of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead were his, as well as the district of Argob in Bashan and its sixty large walled cities with bronze gate bars); Ahinadab son of Iddo--in Mahanaim; Ahimaaz--in Naphtali (he had married Basemath daughter of Solomon); Baana son of Hushai--in Asher and in Aloth; Jehoshaphat son of Paruah--in Issachar; Shimei son of Ela--in Benjamin; Geber son of Uri--in Gilead (the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and the country of Og king of Bashan). He was the only governor over the district."

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>3. How was David and Solomon's cabinet organized? (25-34) How is 1 Samuel 8:11-20 fulfilled? What can be learned from the organization of the kingdom?

* 1 Chronicles 27:25-34 "Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers. 26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who farmed the land. 27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats. 28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills. Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil. 29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys. 30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys. 31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were the officials in charge of King David's property. 32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hacmoni took care of the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the royal army."

* 1 Kings 4:26-28 "Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses. The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king's table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. They also brought to the proper place their quotas of barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses."

* 1 Samuel 8:11-20 "He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. ome he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."

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II. David's Plan for the Temple (28:1-21)

>4. How is the assembly described in this chapter different than the one described in 21:25-22:1? How did David describe himself and his place? (4-5) How did David know that Solomon was the one to build the temple? What was possible? (7) What can we learn about God's desire for everyone through this?

* 1 Chronicles 28:1-8 "David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the brave warriors. 2 King David rose to his feet and said: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. 3 But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.' 4 "Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my family, and from my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel. 5 Of all my sons--and the LORD has given me many--he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 He said to me: 'Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.' 8 "So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever."

* David's plans for the temple is first mentioned in 1 Chronicles 22. Chapter 28 is a continuation of chapter 22. The chapters in-between are filled with information about the organization of the Levites, priests, and other people who served.

* 1 Kings 5 concern Solomon announcing his attention to build the temple to the king of Tyre and retrieve cedar from his kingdom. That is the only other place that the details of David preparing and Solomon building the temple is given.

* 1 Chronicles 21:25-22:1 records when and why David bought the land where the temple was to be built. David had intended to build a temple for the Lord before that time. However, he did not know where to do it until the angel of the Lord was about to continue killing those living in Jerusalem (as he had done in the rest of Israel) in response to David counting the army of the Lord. Upon seeing the angel of the Lord with sword drawn David realized that this was the place where the Lord's temple should be built. He bought the land and built an altar to the Lord as instructed by the Lord.

* David gathered all the leaders of Israel to tell them of his intent to build a temple in the name of the Lord in the area of land he had bought on Mount Zion. This is where he had in obedience built an alter to offer sacrifices to the Lord to stop the angel of the Lord from killing those living in Jerusalem.

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>5. What can be learned about the Lord? (9) Where did the design of the temple come from? (12, 19) What final instructions and advice did David give to Solomon? (20)

* 1 Chronicles 28:9-21 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." 11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the LORD, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. 14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: 15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and shelter the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 "All this," David said, "I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan." 20 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command."

* David's words to Solomon is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 22:7-19 and 1 Kings 2:1-12. Compare David's final words to Solomon here with those in 1 Kings 2:1-12.

* David gave further instructions to his son Solomon in chapter 28. This is first mentioned in chapter 22. Factually chapters 22 and 28 happened at the same time.

Chapter 23 thru 27 are merely explaining how David organized the kingdom for him and his son. The Lord enabled David to have everything prepared for Solomon and Israel. Solomon's reign would have been relatively easy because of all that David had done. Everyone's life is influenced by the labor of those before us.

Ancestral influence does not mean that I am free of responsibility and decisions. David instructed his son, "acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

Regardless of the good and poor influence of my parents, grand parents, and all those in line before God holds me accountable for how I respond and deal with their sustaining influence. I am the master of the decision to serve God in spirit and truth.

David continued, "Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." David helped Solomon by making preparations to build a house as a sanctuary for the Lord. Jesus is building his house in his people, a place for his Spirit to rest. I am to continue and participate in the effort.

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III. Gifts for Building the Temple, David's Prayer and Humility (29:1-25)

>6. What did David say to the people? (1-5) Why did he say that?

* 1 Chronicles 29:1-5 "Then King David said to the whole assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God--gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble--all of these in large quantities. 3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?"

* The account of Israel bringing gifts to fund the building of the temple is unique to Chronicles.

* David's speech concerning offerings to fund the building of the temple remind me of pledge offering challenges I hear in my lifetime. I hear them in many social groups and on Christian radio, TV, concerts, and in congregational pews. "An unnamed individual(s) has given a match pledge offering challenge. The individual will match all offerings up to $$$s."

I wonder, "They are going to give it anyway. Who are they kidding? Are they inspiring or do they have other motives?"

I like Jesus' wise words, "Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing." " Do not announce it with trumpets." (Matt. 6:2,3)

However, one phrase of David is unique in my experience, "Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?" (5) Consecration refers to persons or things being separated to or belonging to God. David did not say the offerings would be consecrated. Rather, he said they would be consecrating themselves to God.

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>7. What did the people do in response to David's words (6-9) Why is it important to give willingly? How is their offering similar and yet different than tithing?

* 1 Chronicles 29:6-9 "Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly. 7 They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. 8 Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly."

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>8. After everyone made an offering toward's the construction of the temple what did David do? (10-13) Where does wealth and honor come from? How are we in God's sight? (14-15) Why does God test our heart? (17) What did Solomon need to conplete the extensive work needed to build the temple? What does this say about charactor that pleases God?

* 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 "David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

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* 1 Chronicles 29:14-20 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided." 20 Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king."

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>9. What was the general atmosphere of the celebration? (21-25) Does this make sense after giving offerings to the Lord? Who did they acknowlege to be the new king of Israel a second time? Where they sincere?

* 1 Chronicles 29:21-25 "The next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and presented burnt offerings to him: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day. Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the LORD to be ruler and Zadok to be priest. 23 So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officers and mighty men, as well as all of King David's sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon. 25 The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before."

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IV. David's Death (29:26-30)

>10. How long did David reign? How is is life described? What books are listed as having a record of David's life?

* 1 Chronicles 29:26-30 "David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. 27 He ruled over Israel forty years--seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. 29 As for the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer, 30 together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other lands."

* 1 Kings 2:10-12 also records David's death. It says, "Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned forty years over Israel--seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established."

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