Monday, January 30, 2012

A National Assembly

Reflections on 1 Chronicles 28:1 - 29:20

After Solomon had been anointed king and set on the throne, David called the leaders of the government and the leaders of the Levites to Jerusalem to meet with their new king and put them under his command. Undoubtedly Solomon met with many of these leaders privately, but David also planned a national assembly while the leaders were in Jerusalem. Although David had been weak and confined to his own room in the palace, David rose to his feet on this occasion to address the whole assembly.

GOD SELECTED (28:1-7). First, he explained that he had wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but the Lord had not chosen him for the task. The kingdom was the "kingdom of the Lord" (v. 5), and God would exercise his sovereignty over his kingdom. He had chosen Judah to be a leader in Israel, he had chosen David to king over all Israel, and he had chosen Solomon to succeed David and build the temple in Jerusalem.

DAVID DIRECTED (28:8-10). David then charged Solomon to follow the Lord's commands carefully, to acknowledge God and serve him wholeheartedly, and to be strong and complete the building of the temple. He promised that if he would do these things, he would possess the land and pass it on as an inheritance to his descendants forever.

DAVID DELIVERED THE PLANS HE HAD RECEIVED (28:11-19). Then David gave to Solomon the plans for the temple that the "Spirit had put in his mind" (v. 12) and David had then put "in writing from the hand of the LORD" (v. 19).

DAVID ENCOURAGED (28:20-21). David encouraged his son with these words, "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" (v. 20).

DAVID ENABLED (29:1-9). David understood that the plans for the temple called for abundant materials because the structure was to reflect the glory not of man but of God, so he gave freely from his own treasures so that Solomon might have the resources to build the temple. The leaders of the people also gave freely for the project, and the people rejoiced greatly at the willing response of their leaders.

DAVID PRAISED THE LORD (29:10-20). David concluded his address to the national assembly with a song of praise to a majestic and powerful God before whom he and all Israel stood in awe because of their own insignificance. The public assembly not only solidified Solomon's position as king over all Israel, but it also motivated all Israel to help in building a temple for God.

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