Finding Delight in the Lord

INTRO

This is the final study in 1 Chronicles. This is, for all intents and purposes, King David’s final address to the people. In the past couple of chapters, we’ve looked at how God gave David the specifics for what the temple would be like. In this chapter, the responsibility for the construction of the temple was passed on to Solomon.

The underlying theme in this entire chapter is finding delight in God (Psalm 119:16, 47). The word “delight” can be understood as taking great pleasure in something or to revel or glory in something. David had a heart for worship, seen throughout his entire life.

TEACHING

1 Chronicles 29:1–9: There had been a fight over who would take David’s throne, and two of David’s sons died in the fight. Therefore, David called the people together to make sure they understood God chose Solomon as the next king (v. 1). Solomon was around 20 years old, but he was seen as young and inexperienced. Therefore, Solomon would be surrounded by teachers and fathers who would support and help him (1 Corinthians 4:15). Further, David had gathered the provisions for building the temple––gold, silver, bronze, precious stones, and marble (v. 2).

These materials created a great mosaic within the temple, providing another foreshadowing of the spiritual kingdom to come in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2, 10-12, 18-20). The 12 stones mentioned in Revelation point to the future and the coming of the new temple that is within us, a mosaic of living stones (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19). We are a sanctuary for the living God; we are no longer our own (1 Peter 2:4-5).

David also gave his personal treasures of gold and silver for the building of the temple (vv. 3-4a). The British Museum has established that a talent weighs 66.5 pounds. Therefore, based on today’s economy, David’s personal gifts would be valued at more than $1,267,000,000 or $1.26 billion. Remember that David was unwilling to give anything to God that cost him nothing (1 Chronicles 21:24). After telling what he gave, David asked those in the assembly to give to the work of the temple as well (v. 5b). He asked them to consecrate themselves by declaring what they had as sacred and was dedicated for use in a divine purpose. The leaders and officials gave willingly with delight (2 Corinthians 9:7). They gave cheerfully and radically. They have gold, silver, bronze, and iron that today would be worth approximately $2,268,000,000—almost twice what David personally gave (v. 7). The people, along with King David, rejoiced and took delight in what the leaders gave, and David also rejoiced in delight (vv. 8-9).

1 Chronicles 29:10-18: David led the people in prayer, praising God as being eternal (v. 10), reminiscent of the line that’s been added to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.” David praised in delight. David’s prayer described God’s greatness and power, His glory and splendor and majesty, as the creator of everything, and the owner and provider of everything (vv. 11-13). David worshipped with delight (Psalm 100:4). David acknowledged everything that had been given to God belonged to God already (Psalm 24:1-2; Haggai 2:8). Everything belongs to God (vv. 14, 16).

In verse 15, David gave a prophetic word, acknowledging that “our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” David stated that the people had given joyfully, with delight, because of who God is and what He had done (vv. 17-18).

1 Chronicles 29:19-25: Then David asked God to help Solomon keep his heart fully focused on Him in carrying out His commands (v. 19). David’s prayer set Solomon up for success. It shows the power of a father’s prayer and blessing, which we too can give to our children. David led the people in worship, and they bowed down and gave homage with delight to the Lord (v. 20). The next day, offerings were made to the Lord, and they ate and drank with great joy and delight in God’s presence (vv. 21-22a). Afterwards, they anointed Solomon as king a second time, making it abundantly clear Solomon was God’s chosen heir to the throne (v. 22b). Solomon took the throne, and all the leaders and David’s mighty men, and all of the remaining sons of David, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon (vv. 23-24). The Lord exalted Solomon, and his reign prospered (v. 25).

1 Chronicles 29:26–30: The remaining verses give the summary of David’s reign. As king over Israel, David reigned 40 years: reigning at Hebron for seven years and 33 years in Jerusalem (vv. 26-27). David died “at a ripe old age, full of days, riches, and honor” (v. 28). This is a sign of a life well lived, a sign of a man full of faith just like Moses, Abraham, and Isaac, who had gone before him (vv. 28-30).

CLOSING

Verse 25 says God bestowed on Solomon “such royal majesty as had not been bestowed on any king over Israel before him.” Why? Because Solomon had the blessing of his father, David. Because Solomon delighted in the Lord as his father David had, he received everything David originally wanted. When we delight in God, He gives us the desires of our hearts.