Wednesday, August 21 – 1 Chronicles 21, 22 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 73, “The Last Years of David”
1. Who incited David to take the census? (1 Chronicles 21:1)
2. What does David’s intercession for the people reveal about his character? (1 Chronicles 21:16, 17)
3. Whom did David charge with the construction of the temple? (1 Chronicles 22:6)
Commentary and Reflection:
Regarding the census of the people that David ordered, the servant of God says:
“The prosperity of Israel under David had been due to the blessing of God rather than to the ability of her king or the strength of her armies. But the increasing of the military resources of the kingdom would give the impression to surrounding nations that Israel’s trust was in her armies, and not in the power of Jehovah.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 747).
Joab was a military man but demonstrated a clear sense of public opinion and good political instincts.
“Though the people of Israel were proud of their national greatness, they did not look with favor upon David’s plan for so greatly extending the military service. The proposed enrollment caused much dissatisfaction; consequently it was thought necessary to employ the military officers in place of the priests and magistrates, who had formerly taken the census. The object of the undertaking was directly contrary to the principles of a theocracy. Even Joab remonstrated, unscrupulous as he had heretofore shown himself.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 747).
And David said, “Here shall be the house of the Lord God, and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel” (1 Chronicles 22:1).
It is remarkable that the angel of the Lord stopped, and David erected the altar on Mount Moriah, the same place where Abraham brought Isaac to be offered by God’s direction and where the temple was later built. God’s wrath is stopped where the sacrifice is offered, on the mount of “The Lord Will Provide.”
The temple was called “Solomon’s temple,” but David had the vision and desire to build it, gathered all the materials, including gold and bronze, designated the site, designed it, and commissioned his son Solomon and the people with specific instructions.
David had the desire, ability, and resources to build the temple. If he had done so, it would have been a significant and visible part of his legacy; the building would have been known in history as “David’s temple.” However, he received a message from a prophet that it was not to be. It is God who calls and assigns the mission. He directs His work. He has a chosen servant and a time for what He wants to do. We cannot decide who and when because God is in control, and things happen when and how He directs.
Obedience to God must take priority over the desire to receive credit for doing something great. It should have been called David’s temple, but it is called Solomon’s temple. It was not the temple of either; it was the House of God. David did well to obey, Solomon also did well to follow, and we do well to submit to the plan and will of The Lord. What is your calling? What is your place in God’s plan?
I wish you a day under God’s blessing.