221 Then David said, This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar for Israel's burned offerings.

David's Preparation for the Temple

2 And David gave orders to get together all the men from strange lands who were in the land of Israel; and he put stone-cutters to work, cutting stones for building the house of God. 3 And he got together a great store of iron, for the nails for the doors and for the joins; and brass, more in weight than might be measured; 4 And cedar-trees without number, for the Zidonians and the men of Tyre came with a great amount of cedar-trees for David. 5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and untested, and the house which is to be put up for the Lord is to be very great, a thing of wonder and glory through all countries; so I will make ready what is needed for it. So David got ready a great store of material before his death.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 22:1-5

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 22:1-5

(Read 1 Chronicles 22:1-5)

On occasion of the terrible judgment inflicted on Israel for the sin of David, God pointed out the place where he would have the temple built; upon which, David was excited to make preparations for the great work. David must not build, but he would do all he could; he prepared abundantly before his death. What our hands find to do for God, and our souls, and those round us, let us do it with all our might, before our death; for after death there is no device nor working. And when the Lord refuses to employ us in those services which we desired, we must not be discouraged or idle, but do what we can, though in a humbler sphere.