David’s Counsel To The People And Solomon

Near the end of David’s life, he let the children of Israel know more about the building of the temple of God, which they were excited about. How God set Solomon apart to be in charge of it also. Solomon was announced in front of the crowd to be the next king, which must have caused the crowd to roar. David’s life was coming to an end and he would soon pass on from death to life, in order to be with the Lord forever. So in doing this, he gave special counsel to the people and then to his son. 1“David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: And of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.” (1 Chronicles 28:1-7) I can just imagine what people were thinking, for David’s reign was coming to an end.

So God trusted in Solomon but desired that he would show himself worthy, by keeping His commandments and judgments for the people. Solomon was not only the son of David now but has been elevated up to be the son of God the Father. God’s kingdom on earth was riding upon his shoulders and there was a lot of responsibility upon him now. Therefore, there was a lot riding on Solomon and him living up to God’s standards, as David did throughout his life. This weight was heavy, but the Lord trusted in Solomon. So all he had to do was trust in God, and all this would work out in his favor. God would take the weight off of Solomon’s shoulders, that He may be able to do as God commanded without any issues at all. David knew this and, therefore, gave him special instructions, so that he would take the building of God’s temple, being king, and being God’s son seriously. It was said, 1“therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.” (1 Chronicles 28:8-10)

Solomon was counseled to keep the commandments, to serve the Lord with all his heart, and most importantly, to do things with a willing mind. By doing this, the Lord God would know his true intentions in life and bless him accordingly. David knew this to be true, and in his counsel, he helped him realize the importance of walking out his faith in God. That he should take every thought captive, for God knows what we are thinking, even before we act on it. To not forsake God, for this would mean trouble for him and God’s kingdom. If he did this, then he would be cast off from His sight, lest he repented, which is not a good outcome come death. And lastly, he was told to be of good courage, for God will not forsake those that love Him. 1“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 28:20) And although this advice was given to Solomon, please take into account what was said for you as well. Not just this last part, but everything that David said. This is vital to our walk with God. My friends, we don’t just worship and do God’s will one day a week, but walk out our faith in Him every day of our lives. Our trust in Him causes us to be of good courage and not worry about different things. God will not forsake those true Christians that make Him a part of their everyday life. Please think about this, and if you are not seeking God now, then repent.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I know that as long as You are there for me, then who could be against me. I have nothing to fear, for You fill me up with courage and give me the strength to live another day without being afraid of the outcomes of this life. As long as You are doing a work in me, then I am made glad. If you are not there, then I am sad. So, Lord, it is my great pleasure to do Your will and to keep Your commandments. I will remember what You have taught us in scripture and keep this counsel with me at all times. For I love it when Your words are in my heart, for they are also a light unto my path. I have direction because of prayer and the Bible. I do not have to worry about slipping and falling because of temptation, for You are there right by side. Therefore, as long as your presence is with me, I feel safe, even from the storms and trials that I face. The world may be crumbling before my eyes, but there is no need to fear, for You have me in Your arms. No plague can take my focus away from the God of the heavens, who gives me breath. I am alive because You have come and rescued me. Who knows what my life would be like now if You were not apart of it. I would surely be cast out, and if died, I would not be in a happy place, but be suffering for my sins in hell. Lord, You have heard my prayers and have had compassion for me. If I am happy, it is because You have forgiven me. Your mercy has set my life in motion and on this new path of righteousness. I know that there is much more for me to do in Your kingdom, and I am ready to serve You with all my heart, with a willing mind. But if there is anything in my life now that needs to be distinguished, then I repent of it. Make me aware of anything that doesn’t belong in my life, that the Holy Spirit will be with me at all times and in all places. I wish to light up the world and have more people come to faith in You, Jesus, but know that I cannot do this if I am on my own. I trust in You, Lord. I love You, God. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1 Chronicles 28
11 Chronicles 28 (KJV)
1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
4 Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:
5 And of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.
6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10 Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the Lord.
14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:
18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.
19 All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.
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