May 18
Read I Chronicles 21 -- 23
Solomon was about 20 years of age when he was anointed king. Since young people do not have the years of experience that their elders do, they often underestimate the things that are of greatest importance. Therefore, David was not satisfied with just providing Solomon with the materials needed to build the Temple. Yes, the stone, wood, gold, iron, and precious metals were necessary, along with the workers' willing hands, earnest minds, and devoted hearts; but the best materials and the finest skilled workers would all be meaningless if the people were not surrendered to the Lord for whom this Temple was to be built. David strongly urged Solomon to keep the Law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper (do wisely), if you take heed to fulfill the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel (I Chronicles 22:12-13). Is not the Lord your God with you? and has He not given you rest (peace) on every side? for He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the Lord. . . . Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, and bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the Name of the Lord (22:18-19).
David's accumulation of materials and plans for building the Temple were now in the possession of Solomon. But he ignored the spiritual advice of his father David to set his heart . . . to seek the Lord. . . . arise . . . build the sanctuary. Building the Temple should have been his first priority. But Solomon put personal interests first and did not begin building the Temple until the fourth year of his reign. Instead, he began to amass chariots and horses (II Chronicles 1:14; 3:1-2). This was in violation of the command of God for the kings of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:16-17; I Kings 10:26 -- 11:4).
David's appeal to Solomon is the need of every Christian. True faith is demonstrated by our commitment and obedience to the Word of God and our dependency upon Him to answer prayer while we do all we can to bring it to pass. This is illustrated by David when he was told that his most-trusted advisor Ahithophel had joined with Absalom to overthrow him. He prayed: O Lord . . . turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness (II Samuel 15:31). But then he sent Hushai to Absalom's camp in an attempt to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel. God answered David's prayer through the advice of Hushai to Absalom. We too can be sure the Lord will provide the necessities for our physical well-being. But faith and works always go together. We should not assume that we will just "leave it up to the Lord and do nothing." The Lord expects our participation in all that we can do. Christ calls every believer to seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Then consider this fact: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the alter? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (James 2:21-22).
Christ Revealed: Through the altar David built to sacrifice unto the Lord and restore Israel to right standing with God (I Chronicles 21:18,26). Only through Christ can we have right standing with God (Romans 3:24-26).
Word Studies: 21:15 repented Him of the evil means had compassion due to man's repentance and intercession; 22:3 without weight means beyond calculation; 23:1 old and full of days means reached old age; 23:11 reckoning means counted together.
Prayer:
BPM Staff: Benjamin Wallace · Pray for Rick Hash and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on Radio Paradise, Nevis, West Indies · Country: Iceland (272,000) at the northern end of the Atlantic · Major language: Icelandic · Religious freedom · 94% Protestant; 6% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to make you willing to go wherever He wants to send you (Isaiah 6:8).
Optional Reading: I Corinthians 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 20:12