Thursday
Then he [David] called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me:
‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house on the earth in my sight. But you have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would.
May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
(I Chronicles 22:6-13, NIV)
Chapters 11 through 20 of I Chronicles record the history of King David’s reign over Israel, his victories in battle and his relationship to God. According to the prophet Nathan, David is told: “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you” (17:2). As David’s reign comes to an end, the vision for building a glorious temple for the Lord comes to dominate his thinking. Today’s verses tell us of a surprising word from the Lord which David passes on to his son Solomon: because his hands were bloodied, Jehovah God did not want him to build the Temple. Instead, the Lord chooses his son “who will be a man of peace and rest” (v. 9) and instructs him to “build a house for my Name” (v. 10).
The moving story recorded in I Chronicles 22 offers us insights into God’s desire for his created universe. The same desire made real in the Garden of Eden is once again reflected in the decision to build the Temple in Jerusalem, a Temple of unparalleled beauty. It is striking that God, who is the Giver of peace, desires that He be worshipped in dwellings made by people of peace.
Prayer
Lord, give us the zeal that King David had to worship you. Give us the clean hands of his son Solomon so that our worship will not be stained by the blood of others. May our churches be dwellings built by people of peace. Amen.