As he almost always did, when it was time for something important, David summoned all of the officials of Israel to assemble. He was an early pioneer in change management (maybe because his Mentor was the God of the Universe.)
David assembled almost all leadership, leaders over thousands and hundreds and those he had assigned to be in charge of the king and his sons. Plus his warriors and palace officials.
Then David gives a speech:
- He review that he wanted to build the Temple for the Ark; but God said "no" and told him why.
- Then he reviews his unexpected rise to King. God chose Judah (not firstborn), then God chose David's family, then God chose the youngest of the many sons: David. Now God has chosen Solomon despite there being many older sons to choose from. God said Solomon would be His Son and king forever- if he followed God's commandments.
- Next he exhorts everyone to follow the Lord that they will possess the land and be able to pass it along as an inheritance. He is referring to the Davidic covenant between God and Israel via the line of David (to Christ).
- Finally, directly to Solomon, David exhorts him to acknowledge and serve God with his whole heart and mind. He explains that God searches our heart and knows our mind.
If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
I Chronicles 28:9b
Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.
I Chronicles 28:10
In verse 11 David hands over very detailed, God-inspired plans for the Temple, the surrounding rooms, the courts, the treasuries, the division of labor for Temple workers, and detailed weights and measures for various gold and silver items to be used.
Then David reiterates that the detailed plans came from the Lord. They should not be taken as suggestions or guidelines, but a holy design to be followed earnestly.
His final exhortation directly to Solomon is a familiar refrain in the Old Testament:
Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you.
I Chronicles 28:20a
Then he goes on to explain that God is going to see Solomon through on this project to the end. Then he lists all of the people who are ready for this exchange of power.
David has prepared the materials, the skilled labor, the temple workers, the officials, the military, the government, his personal affairs, the Temple plans and every other thing he could in order to set Solomon up for success. We know that ever generation makes their own choices; but it's tough to imagine anything more David could have done to successfully prepare for his dream of providing the Lord a Temple.
What an inspiration. And it's because he listened to God. Amen.