1 Chronicles 28:1-8--David's Charge to Israel

1 Chronicles 28:1-8
English Standard Version

David's Charge to Israel
28 David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of thousands, the commanders of hundreds, the stewards of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the seasoned warriors. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. 3 But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ 4 Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me from all my father's house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father's house, and among my father's sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 And of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘It is Solomon your son who shall 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 continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ 8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

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These are David's final words to the nation as king.  He's about to turn over control of the kingdom to his son Solomon.  David gathered together everyone that we just listed in the previous chapters--the cabinet members, civilian leaders, military leaders and commanders, stewards of the king's property and treasure, palace officials, mighty men, seasoned warriors--all these were invited to Jerusalem to hear David's farewell address and for the coronation of King Solomon.  Everybody who was somebody was there.

David explains how his greatest desire was to build a house for the LORD--a Temple that would bear His Name and that people from around the world would come to in order to worship Him and hear His Word.  However, since David was a man of war, the LORD told him that he could not build his house (though David made all the preparations for materials and manpower).  Instead, that task belonged to Solomon, and David charges all the leaders of the kingdom, great and small to make this their highest priority and to use whatever means are necessary to assist Solomon in completing this project.

David also makes sure everyone knows that the LORD chose Solomon not just to build the Temple, but to be David's successor and that the line of kings would come through Solomon.  They are to help Solomon by themselves being careful to obey the Law and all that is written in it (David will give the same charge to Solomon) and there is an implicit charge to the leaders to hold Solomon accountable (they clearly did not follow through with this).  Only if they obeyed the Law could they experience the blessings of the Law.  As far as the Law is concerned, obedience brings life and rebellion leads to death.  Yet there are none who obey the Law completely.  We are all in rebellion against the LORD and His commands, which is why Jesus had to come and die in our place.  It is only through Him that we can have abundant, eternal life.