“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” - 2 Samuel 7:12-13 (ESV)
When David was informed by God that he would not be allowed to build a temple of stone for God’s residence in Jerusalem, it was a true test of his character. Jehovah revealed that He had a better plan; rather than having David build a house for the Lord, God would make a house out of David and his descendants. Instead of becoming disheartened that the Lord had rejected his plan, David responded with rejoicing. Instead of dwelling on what he could not do, David contemplated the blessing of all that God was going to use him for!
In 1 Chronicles 29, David’s heart for the Lord is revealed as he willingly gives the treasures it took a lifetime to acquire so that the house of the Lord may be built and adorned to the glory of God. Not only that, his example and his urgent words encouraged the rest of his generation to do the same. Like their forefathers some 450 years earlier who had given abundantly of their riches for the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness, these were willing to invest greatly in the vision of God for His people. Unlike that generation, however, most of these would not see the temple built, but were storing up treasure for a generation to come.
As David looked at their willing hearts evidenced by the abundance of their giving, he “rejoiced greatly” with all the people. [1 Chronicles 29:9] The words of His prayer recorded for us in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 encourage us to continue rejoicing along with them at the goodness of the Lord and in His providence for us, who in Christ have become His household and His true tabernacle, just as was promised to David.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13. It would have been easy for David to have allowed his “position” as king to go to his head. Saul before him, and Jeroboam afterward stand as sad examples of what happens when kings do not follow the rule of God, but decide for themselves how they will reign. But David recognized that to the Lord belong “the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty” [v11, ESV]. Because He is Creator, He is naturally the Ruler [v11] and the Source of all things [v12]. If David – or any man – has any strength or authority, it is only because God has granted such to him. God, therefore, is the only One who deserves honor and praise [v13].
What “position” do you hold? Do you exercise a certain degree of “authority” at work, at home, or in some other area? Are you humbly acknowledging God as the Source and working through your influence to bring all things in subjection to His will, so that He may be honored and praised? If so, you will have reason to rejoice in Him for all victories that come! If not, what plan of yours is better than what God has revealed? (Hint: not one!) Would you instead repent and submit to His will as the godly king David did?
1 Chronicles 29:14-16. David and all the people were able to give selflessly to the Lord’s project because they recognized that all they had was only theirs because God had given it to them. This perspective changes everything. In truth, we only possess even our lives for a short time, and all that we may accumulate during that time is worthless if it is spent merely on our own lusts and desires. God gives abundantly for our needs, blessing us with opportunity also to share from that abundance in serving others. In so doing, we continue to build a lasting testimony to the glory of God!
Do you recognize that all you have has been placed into your hands by the Lord’s providence? Are you using it to store up short-lived treasures here on earth, or are you investing it in the Lord’s plans? [cp Matthew 6:19-20]
1 Chronicles 29:17-19. As David finishes the words of his prayer, he is keenly aware of God’s working on his heart and the hearts of all men. God has revealed His will – the test is whether we will follow His plan or devise our own schemes. The Bible is full of examples of the consequences of both choices. David’s prayer is that God’s word may continue to guide the hearts of good men – men like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through whose faithful service God’s promises came to be realized hundreds of years later, in David’s generation. He prays that God may guide the heart of his own son, Solomon, so that he might faithfully fulfill the plan of God for a temple that will serve to turn the hearts of his people to God for generations to come.
Following his prayer, David calls on the assembly to “Bless the Lord your God” [1 Chronicles 29:20, ESV]. When we humbly recognize God as the Creator and Source of all we have, who has blessed us with abundance and opportunity, and when our hearts are given to doing His will and not our own, we will naturally be moved to worship Him! Where is your heart? Has God’s abundance in your life led you to serve in such a way that He will be praised in this and future generations?