281 Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel , the princes of the tribes , and the commanders of the divisions that served the king , and the commanders of thousands , and the commanders of hundreds , and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons , with the officials and the mighty men , even all the valiant men . 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said , "Listen to me, my brethren and my people ; I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool e of our God . So I had made preparations to build it. 3 "But God said to me, ' You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood .' 4 "Yet, the Lord , the God of Israel , chose me from all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever . For He has chosen Judah to be a leader ; and in the house of Judah , my father's house , and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel . 5 " Of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons ), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel . 6 "He said to me, 'Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts ; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him. 7 'I will establish his kingdom forever e if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances , as is done now .' 8 "So now , in the sight of all Israel , the assembly of the Lord , and in the hearing of our God , observe and seek after all the commandments of the Lord your God so that you may possess the good land and bequeath it to your sons after you forever e . 9 "As for you, my son Solomon , know the God of your father , and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind ; for the Lord searches all hearts , and understands every intent of the thoughts . If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever . 10 "Consider now , for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary ; be courageous and act ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28:1-10
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28:1-10
(Read 1 Chronicles 28:1-10)
During David's last sickness, many chief priests and Levites were at Jerusalem. Finding himself able, David spoke of his purpose to build a temple for God, and of God's disallowing that purpose. He opened to them God's gracious purposes concerning Solomon. David charged them to cleave stedfastly to God and their duty. We cannot do our work as we should, unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from Divine grace. Religion or piety has two distinct parts. The first is knowledge of God, the second is worship of God. David says, Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. God is made known by his works and word. Revelation alone shows the whole character of God, in his providence, his holy law, his condemnation of sinners, his blessed gospel, and the ministration of the Spirit to all true believers. The natural man cannot receive this knowledge of God. But thus we learn the value of the Saviour's atonement, and of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and are influenced to walk in all his commandments. It brings a sinner to his proper place at the foot of the cross, as a poor, guilty, helpless worm, deserving wrath, yet expecting every thing needful from the free mercy and grace of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been forgiven much, the pardoned sinner learns to love much.