A SURVEY OF THE BIBLE
(“The Book of First Chronicles”) (II)
I Chronicles 15:11-15, 25; 17:1-4, 11-14;
28:1-7, 11-13 (NASU)
11“Then David gave to his son Solomon the plan of the porch of the temple, its buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms and the room for the mercy seat; 12and the plan of all that he had in mind, for the courts of the house of the Lord, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the storehouses of the house of God and for the storehouses of the dedicated things; 13also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord …” (I Chronicles 28:11-13)
TWO MAJOR DIVISIONS
(1) We said last time that the Book of First Chronicles can be divided into two major sections – with the first containing a long list of genealogies, found in chapters one through nine (c.f. I Chronicles 1-9). These genealogies summarize the line of God’s covenant people – starting with Adam and Seth (1:1) – running through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (1:28; 2:1-8) – and ending with some of the descendants of Jacob who returned to the Land of Promise after seventy years in captivity (9:1-44).1
(a) Along the way, special attention is given to the kingly line of David (2:9-17; 3:1-24) – and to the priestly line of Levi and Aaron (6:1-81) – both of which came through the exile intact.
(b) It should also be noted that there are genealogies for ten of Israel’s twelve tribes (4-8) – which suggests that, by divine grace, people from every tribe were still part of God’s covenant family (c.f. II Chronicles 30:1-12) – even though most of the tribes (except for Judah and Benjamin) had broken away from the throne of David several centuries earlier (c.f. I Kings 12:16-20), and had gone off to worship other gods (c.f. II Kings 17:7-12).
(2) The second major section of First Chronicles is found in chapters ten through twenty-nine, and focuses on the reign of King David (c.f. I Chronicles 10-29).
(a) Some of this material is a repeat of what we read earlier in the Book of Second Samuel – like, for example, David’s first futile attempt to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, which resulted in the death of a man named Uzza(h) (c.f. I Chronicles 13:1-14; II Samuel 6:1-11) – also, God’s covenant promise to David (known as the Davidic Covenant), and his subsequent prayer of gratitude (c.f. I Chronicles 17:3-27; II Samuel 7:4-29) – and also, David’s sinful act of taking a census of the people, which resulted in seventy thousand Israelites dying from a God-sent plague (c.f. I Chronicles 21:1-30; II Samuel 24:1-25)2 (which illustrates, in passing, what a far-reaching impact our sins can have on the lives of others).
(b) On the other hand, about fifty percent of the material in the Book of First Chronicles is new3 – like the celebration (in chapter twelve) that took place at Hebron, when David was made king over all Israel (c.f. I Chronicles 12:23-40) – David’s psalm of praise (in chapter sixteen), after the ark of the covenant had been successfully brought to Jerusalem (c.f. I Chronicles 16:8-36) – and, all the specific plans and preparations David made for building the temple, which occupies most of the last eight chapters of the book (c.f. I Chronicles 22-29).2
(c) Material found in Second Samuel, but not repeated here in First Chronicles include (but are not limited to) – the struggle that took place between David and the house of Saul for control of the throne of Israel (c.f. II Samuel 2-4) – David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, coupled with his subsequent murder of her husband Uriah (c.f. II Samuel 11) – and Absalom’s unsuccessful attempt to usurp his father’s throne (c.f. II Samuel 15-19).2
(B) KING DAVID’S REIGN
(1) As we’ve already noted, the reign of King David occupies the bulk of chapters ten through twenty-nine – and can be subdivided into two parts, with the first focusing primarily on the political aspects of his reign, in chapters eleven through twenty-one (c.f. I Chronicles 11-21).
(a) Hence, we’re told in chapter eleven, for example, about some of “the mighty men” (v. 11) who served David, and helped establish him as king – including (of all people!) “Uriah the Hittite” (v. 41). While in chapter twelve, we’re told about the celebration that took place as warriors from the various tribes of Israel “came to David at Hebron” (v. 23) and attached themselves to his service. Indeed, we’re told that they “came to Hebron with a perfect heart”, and “were of one mind” (v. 38) (i.e. so far as the kingship of David was concerned) – so that, “there was joy indeed in Israel” (v. 40).
Chapter eighteen tells us about a some of the victories David won over surrounding enemy peoples – including the Philistines (v. 1), the Moabites (v. 2), the Arameans (v. 5), and the Edomites (v. 12). The two most important things we’re told in this chapter, however, are – (one) that “it was the Lord who helped David achieve all these victories” (vs. 6, 13) – and (two) that as king, David “administered justice and righteousness for all his people” (v. 14) (with the administration of “righteousness”, especially in the area of worship, being something many of his successors in both Israel and Judah did NOT do).
(b) We noted last time,4 however, that scattered throughout this record of David’s political rule are glimpses of the spiritual aspect of his reign – like his attempt to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, which failed the first time because those in charge of moving it didn’t follow God’s instructions for how it was to be transported (c.f. Exodus 25:14; I Chronicles 13:7) – but then succeeded on a subsequent attempt, because this time those in charge of carrying the ark did it the way the Lord had prescribed in the Law of Moses (c.f. I Chronicles 15:13-15) – thereby illustrating something called “The Regulative Principle of Worship”, which says we are to worship God the way He tells us to in His word, as opposed to worshipping Him in ways that may seem like good ideas to us, but have no basis or support in Scripture.
(c) In chapter seventeen, we read about David’s desire to build a temple where God can be worshipped, to replace the tent of meeting. And though it’s apparent such a building is God’s will, it’s not His will that David be the one to build it. Rather, one of his sons will do so – whereupon God makes a covenant with David, saying (in part, starting in verse eleven): 11“When … you … go to be with your fathers … I will set up one of your descendants after you, who will be (one) of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12HE SHALL BUILD (A HOUSE FOR ME), AND I WILL ESTABLISH HIS THRONE FOREVER” (c.f. I Chronicles 17:11-12).
Later, in chapter twenty-eight, David will say that the reason God would not let him build the temple was because he had “shed much blood and … waged great wars” (v. 3). Hence, the privilege would be given to one of his sons, who would be a man of “peace” – which “just happens to be” what Solomon’s name means5 (c.f. I Chronicles 28:3-10).
(d) It seems to me, however, that there may be another (unspoken) reason why God chose to have Solomon build His temple instead of David – and that’s because he is a better fit for the prophetic type.
As you know, Solomon’s building of the temple in Jerusalem was only a partial fulfillment of the covenant God made with David. Jesus, who is a direct physical descendant of David, and rightful heir to his throne (c.f. Luke 1:32-33), is the ultimate and complete fulfillment of this promise – especially in regard to the building of the temple that consists of all those who have put their trust in Him to save them. Hence, the Book of Ephesians talks about how believing Jews and believing Gentiles are 19“no longer strangers and aliens, but … fellow citizens … and (fellow members) of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole BUILDING … is growing into A HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord” (c.f. Ephesians 2:19-21).
To put it simply, Solomon building the temple is a better typological fit, because he is the SON of David, just like Jesus is the SON of God. Hence, David will later explain (in chapter twenty-eight) that “(God) said to me, ‘Your SON Solomon is the one who shall build My house … for I have chosen him to be A SON TO ME, AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM” (c.f. I Chronicles 28:6; see Matthew 3:17).
(2) And that brings us to the second part of David’s reign as king, found in chapters twenty-two through twenty-nine, which focuses primarily on the spiritual aspects of his rule (c.f. I Chronicles 22-29). This is all pretty much new material not recorded in any previous books of the Old Testament. Furthermore, it mostly has to do with David’s plans for building the temple – which included organizing the various groups of people who would be serving in the temple, and leading others in the worship of God.
(a) The one exception is found in chapter twenty-seven, where we’re told about how David organized the civil aspects of his kingdom – including the commanders of his army, the chief officers of each tribe, the various people who oversaw his agricultural and husbandry interests, and his personal counselors (c.f. I Chronicles 27:1-34).
Tucked away in this chapter is also a passing reference to God’s covenant promise to make Abraham’s descendants like “the stars of heaven” (v. 23) (c.f. Genesis 15:5).
(b) David was a man of many accomplishments – a tough and successful soldier – a just and righteous king – the writer of numerous psalms and songs – as well as the father of many children – all by God’s grace. When people think of David, however, the first thing that often comes to mind is either his battle with Goliath, or his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. Scripture, on the other hand, devotes far more words to the vast preparations he made for building the temple – which gives us some indication as to what David and the Holy Spirit both considered to be most important.7
(c) Hence, in chapter twenty-two, starting at verse one, we’re told: 1“Then David said, ‘This is the house of the Lord God (i.e. the house that is to be built), and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel’ (kind of like David was saying, “Here are the blueprints for the temple”). (2)So David … set stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God. 3(He) prepared large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than could be weighed; 4and timbers of cedar logs beyond number … 5(And) David said, ‘My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore … I will make preparation for it.’ So David made ample preparations before his death” (c.f. I Chronicles 22:1-5) – much of which is recorded in the last eight chapters of First Chronicles.
The picture we’re given, then, is one of great stockpiles of material – large quarried stones – beautiful cedar logs – heaps of iron and bronze (and other precious metals) – all waiting for the day when Solomon would give the order to start building the House of God. Hence, later on in chapter twenty-two – in addition to exhorting Solomon to be “careful to (obey all) the statutes and … ordinances which the Lord commanded (through) Moses” (c.f. I Chronicles 22:13) – David also told him (starting in verse fourteen): 14“Now behold, with great pains I have prepared for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weight, for they are in great quantity; also timber and stone … and you may add to them. 15Moreover, there are many workmen with you, stonecutters and masons … and carpenters, and … men who are skillful in every kind of work. 16Of … gold, (and) silver and … bronze and … iron there is no limit. (Therefore) Arise and work, and may the Lord be with you” (c.f. I Chronicles 22:14-16).
(d) But David didn’t just make preparations for BUILDING the Temple, he also organized its personnel2 – i.e. the priests and Levites (c.f. I Chronicles 23-24) – the musicians and gatekeepers (c.f. I Chronicles 25-26) – as well as those who would be in charge of collecting and managing all the wealth8 that would be brought into house of God (c.f. I Chronicles 26). Indeed, four whole chapters are devoted to David’s organization of temple personnel – SO THAT the worship of God would be lead by the right people (c.f. Deuteronomy 18:1-2), and be done in a decent and orderly manner (c.f. I Corinthians 14:40) – all according to the word of the Lord, as laid down in the Law of Moses (see the Books of Leviticus and Numbers).
(e) Hence, we read in chapter twenty-eight, starting at verse eleven, that 11“David gave to his son Solomon the plan of the porch of the temple, its buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms and the room for the mercy seat; 12and the plan of all that he had in mind, for the courts of the house of the Lord, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the storehouses of the house of God and for the storehouses of the dedicated things; 13also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord …” (c.f. I Chronicles 28:11-13).
(f) Nor was this something David just made up – or had a special knack for doing. On the contrary, he says in verse nineteen that, “the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the details of this pattern” (c.f. I Chronicles 28:19). In other words, David is claiming that these plans for the Temple, which he wrote down, were divinely inspired – just as surely as the plans Moses received for the tent of meeting were9 (c.f. Exodus 25:9) – which only makes sense, when we consider that both places represented the true sanctuary in heaven (c.f. Hebrews 9:24). In other words, even though the outward physical appearance of the tent of meeting and the temple in Jerusalem were very different (although the location and arrangement of the two inner rooms was the same – as was the placement of the bronze altar and bronze basin) – they still both pointed to the same spiritual reality. Hence, God was not about to let David (or Solomon) build a house of worship according to their own imagination – rather, the pattern would have to conform to the heavenly reality!
From this we learn, once again, that God is to be worshipped in the manner He prescribes – and not as seems good (or interesting, or entertaining) to us!
(g) The Book of First Chronicles ends, then, with the death of David – and “his son Solomon reign(ing) in his place” (c.f. I Chronicles 29:28), poised to begin building the house of God as soon as the kingdom is firmly and securely in his hands (c.f. II Chronicles 1-7).
(C) SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
(1) At the time the Book of First Chronicles was written,10 however, the temple David planned for (and Solomon built) was gone – having been destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon several hundred years earlier. Nor was there anyone sitting on the throne of David – even though the royal line was still intact.
(2) Both temple worship and the throne of David were (and still are!) vital parts of God’s covenant with His chosen people – indeed, both point to Christ in their own way. But as of the writing of First Chronicles, neither was functioning. Hence, one of the things the Books of the Chronicles do is remind the people who were returning to the land of Judah after seventy years in exile, of what God had promised, and how those covenant promises had been fulfilled in the past – in order to encourage them to believe that, despite their present circumstances, God was going to keep His promises to His redeemed people. In other words, true worship of the true God would be restored – and a descendant of David would rise up and rule over God’s covenant people!
(3) As Scripture continues to unfold, however – and a poor replica of Solomon’s temple is rebuilt (c.f. Haggai 2:3), but there is no throne for David’s descendants to sit on, nor any kingdom for them to rule over – it begins to look as though God has something other than a return to the glory days of David and Solomon in mind. As it turns out, that “something” is far greater and far better (c.f. Luke 11:31) – indeed, that “something” is a Someone – whose name is Jesus!
1The New Geneva Study Bible: Footnote on I Chronicles
9:2; p. 573.
2The English Standard Study Bible: Comparison of 1-2
Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings; p. 702.
3MacArthur: The MacArthur Bible Commentary; p. 479.
4http://www.wpcpca.org/Archive/06-20-10-pm.html
5Gardner: Who’s Who in the Bible; p. 623.
6MacArthur: Ibid; p. 491.
7Ryken: Ryken’s Bible Handbook; p. 178.
8The New Geneva Study Bible: Footnote on I Chronicles
26:20; p. 594.
9MacArthur: Ibid; p. 492.
10Mathison: From Age to Age (The Unfolding of Biblical
Eschatology); p. 107.