2 Chronicles 7

2 Chronicles 7:1

The Sword of the LORD

David, with his words to fall in the hand of the LORD, has put his choice in the hand of the LORD (1 Chronicles 21:13). Then the LORD gives an outbreak of the pestilence (1 Chronicles 21:14a). David did want to know the number of the members of his people of war. Now he is told how many members of his people he has lost (1 Chronicles 21:14b). If God is for us, we do not need to count. If He is against us, we will see what we have lost.

Pestilence is a disease, but God sends it through an angel. An angel with a message of peace already causes terror and trembling (Luke 1:12; Luke 2:9-10), how much more an angel with a drawn sword, sent to judge (1 Chronicles 21:16).

At the height of the plague, when 70,000 men have already fallen, Jerusalem is reached (1 Chronicles 21:15). When destruction begins there, God says it is enough. He is moved over that city with compassion. He “was sorry over the calamity”. When God is sorry over something, it is not because of something wrong that He has to return to – He does not do wrong things – but because He sees the outcome of certain developments and stops that development. In other words, God’s sorry has to do with the suffering and sorrow He must cause and what reveals His compassion about it.

At the moment when God stops the judgment, the angel stands by a threshing floor. A threshing floor speaks of judgment, but it is a judgment in which the wrong, the chaff, is separated from the good, the wheat. At the threshing floor it is all about the good, the wheat. The place of judgment is therefore the place of blessing. We see this also here, because here will be the altar of David and later the temple of Solomon.

At the place where judgment has been stopped, the altar must be placed, on which the daily burnt offerings will form a reminder of His purpose and mercies. He is going to show mercy. Only then, in the following verses, the confession of David comes. Here God’s actions stand alone. He finds reason in Himself for this action. God stops judging because He looks ahead, ultimately to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.

David sees “the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven”. He stands there “with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem”. The invisible world is opened up to the human eye here (cf. Numbers 22:31; Joshua 5:13; Judges 6:11). The effect of this impressive view on David and the elders is that they fall on their faces.

In this attitude David addresses the word to God, a word for the benefit of God’s people. In this he resembles the Lord Jesus, Who always makes intercession by God for His people (Hebrews 7:25). David’s responsibility is in stark contrast to that of the Lord Jesus. He knows that he is a sinner and pleads for God’s grace, that others should not bear the consequences of his sins.

Yet he is also a type of the Lord Jesus. We see this when he offers himself as a substitute for the people. He says, as it were: “Punish me, the true culprit, and release the innocent.” This is in contrast to the Lord Jesus, for He is the true innocent One Who is punished for the guilty. There is also a parallel, because the Lord Jesus becomes the guilty One, He takes the guilt on Himself and declares His people innocent.

2 Chronicles 7:2

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:3

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:4

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:5

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:6

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:7

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:8

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:9

David Must Build an Altar

Gad receives from the angel of the LORD – that is from the Lord Jesus, Who often appears in the Old Testament as ‘the Angel of the LORD’ – the instruction to go back to David. He must go and tell him to build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. An altar serves to bring a sacrifice on it. To bring a sacrifice David cannot go to Gibeon, because the sacrifice has to be brought quickly (cf. Numbers 16:47-48). Therefore God points this place out to him on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to build an altar there.

David obeys “the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD”. He goes “up”. The threshing floor is high. The altar and later the temple are built on a high place. David comes to Ornan when he is threshing wheat. The four sons of Ornan hid at the sight of the angel. When Ornan sees David, he comes down from the threshing floor and bows down respectfully before him.

David asks Ornan to give him the threshing floor and also tells him what he intends to do with it. He does not want to negotiate about the price. He wants to pay the full price, for it is about nothing less than stopping the plague that has come upon the people. Ornan wants to give David everything. If David had accepted that, it would not have been his altar and his sacrifice, but that of Ornan. That is why he wants to pay the full price.

David says it this way: “For I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24). This beautiful word contains an important spiritual lesson for us. The lesson is that we can only offer God something of value to Him and to us if what we offer Him has cost us something. We can think of spending our time reflecting on the Word of God, reading it, and discovering Who the Lord Jesus is. What we have discovered, we can offer to God in thanks and worship.

We can also think of the use of sound Bible study literature. Reading what others have written and said about a particular section is an important help in getting to know God’s thoughts. However, if we only parrot this in our thanksgiving, it is the bringing of a sacrifice that costs us nothing. It is about making what we may learn from others our own, by considering the section concerning God’s Word in our hearts, and then thanking God for it in our own words.

David pays Ornan the impressive sum of 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25). The height of the amount is striking when we realize that for a field in Anathoth seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9) and for the grave of Abraham four hundred shekels of silver (Genesis 23:15) has been paid. This makes it clear that this place is worth a huge amount to David.

2 Chronicles 7:10

David Offers and Calls to the LORD

David builds an altar on the threshing floor he just bought and brings offerings on it as the king-priest. The LORD accepts all his offerings. In response to the call to the LORD He sends fire from heaven to the altar of burnt offering (cf. Leviticus 9:24; Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:37-38). The fire burns the offering, and lets it ascend in smoke unto the LORD. Then the LORD speaks to the angel that he can put his sword back in its sheath. The repentance of David and the offering cause that the angel’s task is over.

What we see here is the beginning of a new worship service. It is a worship at the basis of a judgment brought to a halt by the burnt offering and the peace offering. These offerings speak of the Lord Jesus. The burnt offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as fully brought to God. The peace offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as a fellowship offering, through which there can be fellowship of the people with God and between the members of God’s people. God has fully accepted the sacrifice of His Son, and on that basis is able to forgive sins and accept sinners as His children.

The place where the plague is stopped is Mount Moriah. This is the mountain where Abraham sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) and where Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). This new place of worship replaces “the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering”. The place where they stand at that time is the high place at Gibeon. There still sacrifices are offered, but from that moment on no longer by David. Fear of the sword prevented him from going there, for a sacrifice had to be made with great haste to stop the plague. That sacrifice was made on God’s instruction on this new altar at Mount Moriah.

2 Chronicles 7:11

David Offers and Calls to the LORD

David builds an altar on the threshing floor he just bought and brings offerings on it as the king-priest. The LORD accepts all his offerings. In response to the call to the LORD He sends fire from heaven to the altar of burnt offering (cf. Leviticus 9:24; Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:37-38). The fire burns the offering, and lets it ascend in smoke unto the LORD. Then the LORD speaks to the angel that he can put his sword back in its sheath. The repentance of David and the offering cause that the angel’s task is over.

What we see here is the beginning of a new worship service. It is a worship at the basis of a judgment brought to a halt by the burnt offering and the peace offering. These offerings speak of the Lord Jesus. The burnt offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as fully brought to God. The peace offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as a fellowship offering, through which there can be fellowship of the people with God and between the members of God’s people. God has fully accepted the sacrifice of His Son, and on that basis is able to forgive sins and accept sinners as His children.

The place where the plague is stopped is Mount Moriah. This is the mountain where Abraham sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) and where Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). This new place of worship replaces “the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering”. The place where they stand at that time is the high place at Gibeon. There still sacrifices are offered, but from that moment on no longer by David. Fear of the sword prevented him from going there, for a sacrifice had to be made with great haste to stop the plague. That sacrifice was made on God’s instruction on this new altar at Mount Moriah.

2 Chronicles 7:12

David Offers and Calls to the LORD

David builds an altar on the threshing floor he just bought and brings offerings on it as the king-priest. The LORD accepts all his offerings. In response to the call to the LORD He sends fire from heaven to the altar of burnt offering (cf. Leviticus 9:24; Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:37-38). The fire burns the offering, and lets it ascend in smoke unto the LORD. Then the LORD speaks to the angel that he can put his sword back in its sheath. The repentance of David and the offering cause that the angel’s task is over.

What we see here is the beginning of a new worship service. It is a worship at the basis of a judgment brought to a halt by the burnt offering and the peace offering. These offerings speak of the Lord Jesus. The burnt offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as fully brought to God. The peace offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as a fellowship offering, through which there can be fellowship of the people with God and between the members of God’s people. God has fully accepted the sacrifice of His Son, and on that basis is able to forgive sins and accept sinners as His children.

The place where the plague is stopped is Mount Moriah. This is the mountain where Abraham sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) and where Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). This new place of worship replaces “the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering”. The place where they stand at that time is the high place at Gibeon. There still sacrifices are offered, but from that moment on no longer by David. Fear of the sword prevented him from going there, for a sacrifice had to be made with great haste to stop the plague. That sacrifice was made on God’s instruction on this new altar at Mount Moriah.

2 Chronicles 7:13

David Offers and Calls to the LORD

David builds an altar on the threshing floor he just bought and brings offerings on it as the king-priest. The LORD accepts all his offerings. In response to the call to the LORD He sends fire from heaven to the altar of burnt offering (cf. Leviticus 9:24; Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:37-38). The fire burns the offering, and lets it ascend in smoke unto the LORD. Then the LORD speaks to the angel that he can put his sword back in its sheath. The repentance of David and the offering cause that the angel’s task is over.

What we see here is the beginning of a new worship service. It is a worship at the basis of a judgment brought to a halt by the burnt offering and the peace offering. These offerings speak of the Lord Jesus. The burnt offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as fully brought to God. The peace offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as a fellowship offering, through which there can be fellowship of the people with God and between the members of God’s people. God has fully accepted the sacrifice of His Son, and on that basis is able to forgive sins and accept sinners as His children.

The place where the plague is stopped is Mount Moriah. This is the mountain where Abraham sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) and where Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). This new place of worship replaces “the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering”. The place where they stand at that time is the high place at Gibeon. There still sacrifices are offered, but from that moment on no longer by David. Fear of the sword prevented him from going there, for a sacrifice had to be made with great haste to stop the plague. That sacrifice was made on God’s instruction on this new altar at Mount Moriah.

2 Chronicles 7:14

David Offers and Calls to the LORD

David builds an altar on the threshing floor he just bought and brings offerings on it as the king-priest. The LORD accepts all his offerings. In response to the call to the LORD He sends fire from heaven to the altar of burnt offering (cf. Leviticus 9:24; Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:37-38). The fire burns the offering, and lets it ascend in smoke unto the LORD. Then the LORD speaks to the angel that he can put his sword back in its sheath. The repentance of David and the offering cause that the angel’s task is over.

What we see here is the beginning of a new worship service. It is a worship at the basis of a judgment brought to a halt by the burnt offering and the peace offering. These offerings speak of the Lord Jesus. The burnt offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as fully brought to God. The peace offering speaks of the sacrifice of Christ as a fellowship offering, through which there can be fellowship of the people with God and between the members of God’s people. God has fully accepted the sacrifice of His Son, and on that basis is able to forgive sins and accept sinners as His children.

The place where the plague is stopped is Mount Moriah. This is the mountain where Abraham sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) and where Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). This new place of worship replaces “the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering”. The place where they stand at that time is the high place at Gibeon. There still sacrifices are offered, but from that moment on no longer by David. Fear of the sword prevented him from going there, for a sacrifice had to be made with great haste to stop the plague. That sacrifice was made on God’s instruction on this new altar at Mount Moriah.

2 Chronicles 7:16

Introduction

This chapter must have been another great encouragement for those who returned from Babylon to Israel to rebuild the altar, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem. They are the ones for whom the writer of the Chronicles (Ezra?) tells his story. The chronicler writes about David’s efforts to build God’s house and how he encouraged Solomon to do this great work. By this the returnees will be motivated to do the work in their days with the same commitment and dedication for the LORD.

This chapter, in its spiritual sense, also means an encouragement for all who are comparable to the returnees from Babylon. Babylon means ‘confusion’ and is a picture of professing Christianity where confusion reigns. It is also possible today to leave the ‘confusion’ and stand on the basis of the church. For all who want to build what is God’s temple today, the chronicler’s account contains many spiritual lessons.

David Prepares the Temple Building

The LORD has appointed David the place of the temple and the altar (1 Chronicles 21:15; 18; 26). David joins the choice of the LORD. Although no stone has yet been laid for the house, David says: “This is the house of the LORD God” (1 Chronicles 22:1). He sees in the spirit the house before him.

The word “this” refers to the threshing floor David just bought. The foundation for the house of God is a threshing floor. The church is also built on a ‘threshing floor’. The wheat is beaten on the threshing floor to separate the chaff from the grain. It is a picture of the judgment with which the Lord Jesus was beaten, resulting in the origin of His church. The altar built in that place speaks of the Person of Christ and of the work He has accomplished as a sacrifice.

After the location of the temple has been determined, David will make preparations for the building of the temple and the service therein. Its description covers the rest of the first book of the Chronicles. After the turning away of the judgment on Jerusalem on the basis of the sacrifice, which the judgment has carried in place, the place where the sacrifice is brought is the basis of the temple and the temple service.

David establishes a temple service based on the sacrifice – the sacrifice is also a type of the Lord Jesus. Also today we have a temple service. For the church is “a temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is a spiritual temple. This spiritual temple includes a spiritual priestly service (1 Peter 2:5a; Revelation 1:6) with spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5b).

This spiritual priestly service with its spiritual sacrifices takes place especially when the church comes together to worship, that is to praise God for the gift of His Son. Based on the sacrifice, the sacrificial place becomes the center of a beautiful worship service which is established around the altar. These chapters indicate the great principles for the present service in what is now God’s temple.

The foreigners are called “to build the house of God” (1 Chronicles 22:2). They have to hew out stones. Today every believer originally is a foreigner, but is now allowed to contribute to the building of God’s house. We read about aliens who bring “large quantities of cedar timber to David” (1 Chronicles 22:4). Stone and wood are the basic elements for the house. Stones are a picture of believers, called “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Wood is a picture of man as one who belongs to the earth. Later all this will be covered with gold. Thus the believing man becomes one who shows God’s glory.

Then it is told that David prepares “large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps” (1 Chronicles 22:3). These materials are bought from the stock of David’s spoils of war. These are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 28-29. Here we see that the first thing mentioned of the house has to do with the doors of the gates. It is therefore in the foreground that it is important to ensure that what is and what is not allowed to enter. This is vital for the service in the house.

Together with the doors of the gates, “the clamps” are called. Apart from the supervision of who may and may not enter the temple, the mutual correlation of the believers is also important. If the believers are well connected by living together for the Lord Jesus and listening to God’s Word, the enemy will not have a chance to do his pernicious work among them. For example, false teachings about the Lord Jesus or God’s Word, which always sow divisions, will not have a chance to penetrate.

David contrasts the youthfulness and inexperience of Solomon with the house to be built for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:5). David wants the house to be made “exceedingly magnificent”. The reason for this is that it will be “famous and glorious throughout all lands”. In what David says, the contrast is expressed between man’s incompetence and inexperience and the enormous work of building the glorious house of God. From ourselves we can do nothing. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalms 127:1). But if the Lord cooperates, it succeeds (cf. Mark 16:20; Philippians 4:13).

Despite so much that has disappeared from the splendor of the house through our unfaithfulness, it is still possible to “adorn” God’s house, or to make it “glorious”. The remnant that has returned from Babylon to Israel does the same (Ezra 7:27).

We can “adorn” the house by a dedicated walk, by having meetings in which the Lord Jesus is glorified, by our testimony in this world, very generally by our complete submission to the Lord (cf. Titus 2:9-10). Then we build with good materials, with “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12a) and there is no room for the flesh. All services that do not envisage the building of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16) are not adornments for God’s house, but combustible material (1 Corinthians 3:12b-17).

David decides to prepare a supply with which Solomon can start building the house of God. He does this with an eye on the one hand to the youthfulness and inexperience of his son Solomon and on the other hand to the grandeur and splendor of that house. He does not do it sparingly, but he makes “ample preparations”. Everything is arranged by David for a house that has not yet been built. Thus everything is arranged through Christ before the church as His house is revealed in glory.

The last part of David’s life is filled with stockpiling for his son Solomon to build the temple. What a wonderful goal for an old man. What a wonderful example for all old believers. Old believers may diligently seek and serve the interests of God’s house to the last by supporting young believers in building God’s house.

2 Chronicles 7:17

Introduction

This chapter must have been another great encouragement for those who returned from Babylon to Israel to rebuild the altar, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem. They are the ones for whom the writer of the Chronicles (Ezra?) tells his story. The chronicler writes about David’s efforts to build God’s house and how he encouraged Solomon to do this great work. By this the returnees will be motivated to do the work in their days with the same commitment and dedication for the LORD.

This chapter, in its spiritual sense, also means an encouragement for all who are comparable to the returnees from Babylon. Babylon means ‘confusion’ and is a picture of professing Christianity where confusion reigns. It is also possible today to leave the ‘confusion’ and stand on the basis of the church. For all who want to build what is God’s temple today, the chronicler’s account contains many spiritual lessons.

David Prepares the Temple Building

The LORD has appointed David the place of the temple and the altar (1 Chronicles 21:15; 18; 26). David joins the choice of the LORD. Although no stone has yet been laid for the house, David says: “This is the house of the LORD God” (1 Chronicles 22:1). He sees in the spirit the house before him.

The word “this” refers to the threshing floor David just bought. The foundation for the house of God is a threshing floor. The church is also built on a ‘threshing floor’. The wheat is beaten on the threshing floor to separate the chaff from the grain. It is a picture of the judgment with which the Lord Jesus was beaten, resulting in the origin of His church. The altar built in that place speaks of the Person of Christ and of the work He has accomplished as a sacrifice.

After the location of the temple has been determined, David will make preparations for the building of the temple and the service therein. Its description covers the rest of the first book of the Chronicles. After the turning away of the judgment on Jerusalem on the basis of the sacrifice, which the judgment has carried in place, the place where the sacrifice is brought is the basis of the temple and the temple service.

David establishes a temple service based on the sacrifice – the sacrifice is also a type of the Lord Jesus. Also today we have a temple service. For the church is “a temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is a spiritual temple. This spiritual temple includes a spiritual priestly service (1 Peter 2:5a; Revelation 1:6) with spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5b).

This spiritual priestly service with its spiritual sacrifices takes place especially when the church comes together to worship, that is to praise God for the gift of His Son. Based on the sacrifice, the sacrificial place becomes the center of a beautiful worship service which is established around the altar. These chapters indicate the great principles for the present service in what is now God’s temple.

The foreigners are called “to build the house of God” (1 Chronicles 22:2). They have to hew out stones. Today every believer originally is a foreigner, but is now allowed to contribute to the building of God’s house. We read about aliens who bring “large quantities of cedar timber to David” (1 Chronicles 22:4). Stone and wood are the basic elements for the house. Stones are a picture of believers, called “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Wood is a picture of man as one who belongs to the earth. Later all this will be covered with gold. Thus the believing man becomes one who shows God’s glory.

Then it is told that David prepares “large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps” (1 Chronicles 22:3). These materials are bought from the stock of David’s spoils of war. These are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 28-29. Here we see that the first thing mentioned of the house has to do with the doors of the gates. It is therefore in the foreground that it is important to ensure that what is and what is not allowed to enter. This is vital for the service in the house.

Together with the doors of the gates, “the clamps” are called. Apart from the supervision of who may and may not enter the temple, the mutual correlation of the believers is also important. If the believers are well connected by living together for the Lord Jesus and listening to God’s Word, the enemy will not have a chance to do his pernicious work among them. For example, false teachings about the Lord Jesus or God’s Word, which always sow divisions, will not have a chance to penetrate.

David contrasts the youthfulness and inexperience of Solomon with the house to be built for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:5). David wants the house to be made “exceedingly magnificent”. The reason for this is that it will be “famous and glorious throughout all lands”. In what David says, the contrast is expressed between man’s incompetence and inexperience and the enormous work of building the glorious house of God. From ourselves we can do nothing. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalms 127:1). But if the Lord cooperates, it succeeds (cf. Mark 16:20; Philippians 4:13).

Despite so much that has disappeared from the splendor of the house through our unfaithfulness, it is still possible to “adorn” God’s house, or to make it “glorious”. The remnant that has returned from Babylon to Israel does the same (Ezra 7:27).

We can “adorn” the house by a dedicated walk, by having meetings in which the Lord Jesus is glorified, by our testimony in this world, very generally by our complete submission to the Lord (cf. Titus 2:9-10). Then we build with good materials, with “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12a) and there is no room for the flesh. All services that do not envisage the building of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16) are not adornments for God’s house, but combustible material (1 Corinthians 3:12b-17).

David decides to prepare a supply with which Solomon can start building the house of God. He does this with an eye on the one hand to the youthfulness and inexperience of his son Solomon and on the other hand to the grandeur and splendor of that house. He does not do it sparingly, but he makes “ample preparations”. Everything is arranged by David for a house that has not yet been built. Thus everything is arranged through Christ before the church as His house is revealed in glory.

The last part of David’s life is filled with stockpiling for his son Solomon to build the temple. What a wonderful goal for an old man. What a wonderful example for all old believers. Old believers may diligently seek and serve the interests of God’s house to the last by supporting young believers in building God’s house.

2 Chronicles 7:18

Introduction

This chapter must have been another great encouragement for those who returned from Babylon to Israel to rebuild the altar, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem. They are the ones for whom the writer of the Chronicles (Ezra?) tells his story. The chronicler writes about David’s efforts to build God’s house and how he encouraged Solomon to do this great work. By this the returnees will be motivated to do the work in their days with the same commitment and dedication for the LORD.

This chapter, in its spiritual sense, also means an encouragement for all who are comparable to the returnees from Babylon. Babylon means ‘confusion’ and is a picture of professing Christianity where confusion reigns. It is also possible today to leave the ‘confusion’ and stand on the basis of the church. For all who want to build what is God’s temple today, the chronicler’s account contains many spiritual lessons.

David Prepares the Temple Building

The LORD has appointed David the place of the temple and the altar (1 Chronicles 21:15; 18; 26). David joins the choice of the LORD. Although no stone has yet been laid for the house, David says: “This is the house of the LORD God” (1 Chronicles 22:1). He sees in the spirit the house before him.

The word “this” refers to the threshing floor David just bought. The foundation for the house of God is a threshing floor. The church is also built on a ‘threshing floor’. The wheat is beaten on the threshing floor to separate the chaff from the grain. It is a picture of the judgment with which the Lord Jesus was beaten, resulting in the origin of His church. The altar built in that place speaks of the Person of Christ and of the work He has accomplished as a sacrifice.

After the location of the temple has been determined, David will make preparations for the building of the temple and the service therein. Its description covers the rest of the first book of the Chronicles. After the turning away of the judgment on Jerusalem on the basis of the sacrifice, which the judgment has carried in place, the place where the sacrifice is brought is the basis of the temple and the temple service.

David establishes a temple service based on the sacrifice – the sacrifice is also a type of the Lord Jesus. Also today we have a temple service. For the church is “a temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is a spiritual temple. This spiritual temple includes a spiritual priestly service (1 Peter 2:5a; Revelation 1:6) with spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5b).

This spiritual priestly service with its spiritual sacrifices takes place especially when the church comes together to worship, that is to praise God for the gift of His Son. Based on the sacrifice, the sacrificial place becomes the center of a beautiful worship service which is established around the altar. These chapters indicate the great principles for the present service in what is now God’s temple.

The foreigners are called “to build the house of God” (1 Chronicles 22:2). They have to hew out stones. Today every believer originally is a foreigner, but is now allowed to contribute to the building of God’s house. We read about aliens who bring “large quantities of cedar timber to David” (1 Chronicles 22:4). Stone and wood are the basic elements for the house. Stones are a picture of believers, called “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Wood is a picture of man as one who belongs to the earth. Later all this will be covered with gold. Thus the believing man becomes one who shows God’s glory.

Then it is told that David prepares “large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps” (1 Chronicles 22:3). These materials are bought from the stock of David’s spoils of war. These are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 28-29. Here we see that the first thing mentioned of the house has to do with the doors of the gates. It is therefore in the foreground that it is important to ensure that what is and what is not allowed to enter. This is vital for the service in the house.

Together with the doors of the gates, “the clamps” are called. Apart from the supervision of who may and may not enter the temple, the mutual correlation of the believers is also important. If the believers are well connected by living together for the Lord Jesus and listening to God’s Word, the enemy will not have a chance to do his pernicious work among them. For example, false teachings about the Lord Jesus or God’s Word, which always sow divisions, will not have a chance to penetrate.

David contrasts the youthfulness and inexperience of Solomon with the house to be built for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:5). David wants the house to be made “exceedingly magnificent”. The reason for this is that it will be “famous and glorious throughout all lands”. In what David says, the contrast is expressed between man’s incompetence and inexperience and the enormous work of building the glorious house of God. From ourselves we can do nothing. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalms 127:1). But if the Lord cooperates, it succeeds (cf. Mark 16:20; Philippians 4:13).

Despite so much that has disappeared from the splendor of the house through our unfaithfulness, it is still possible to “adorn” God’s house, or to make it “glorious”. The remnant that has returned from Babylon to Israel does the same (Ezra 7:27).

We can “adorn” the house by a dedicated walk, by having meetings in which the Lord Jesus is glorified, by our testimony in this world, very generally by our complete submission to the Lord (cf. Titus 2:9-10). Then we build with good materials, with “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12a) and there is no room for the flesh. All services that do not envisage the building of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16) are not adornments for God’s house, but combustible material (1 Corinthians 3:12b-17).

David decides to prepare a supply with which Solomon can start building the house of God. He does this with an eye on the one hand to the youthfulness and inexperience of his son Solomon and on the other hand to the grandeur and splendor of that house. He does not do it sparingly, but he makes “ample preparations”. Everything is arranged by David for a house that has not yet been built. Thus everything is arranged through Christ before the church as His house is revealed in glory.

The last part of David’s life is filled with stockpiling for his son Solomon to build the temple. What a wonderful goal for an old man. What a wonderful example for all old believers. Old believers may diligently seek and serve the interests of God’s house to the last by supporting young believers in building God’s house.

2 Chronicles 7:19

Introduction

This chapter must have been another great encouragement for those who returned from Babylon to Israel to rebuild the altar, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem. They are the ones for whom the writer of the Chronicles (Ezra?) tells his story. The chronicler writes about David’s efforts to build God’s house and how he encouraged Solomon to do this great work. By this the returnees will be motivated to do the work in their days with the same commitment and dedication for the LORD.

This chapter, in its spiritual sense, also means an encouragement for all who are comparable to the returnees from Babylon. Babylon means ‘confusion’ and is a picture of professing Christianity where confusion reigns. It is also possible today to leave the ‘confusion’ and stand on the basis of the church. For all who want to build what is God’s temple today, the chronicler’s account contains many spiritual lessons.

David Prepares the Temple Building

The LORD has appointed David the place of the temple and the altar (1 Chronicles 21:15; 18; 26). David joins the choice of the LORD. Although no stone has yet been laid for the house, David says: “This is the house of the LORD God” (1 Chronicles 22:1). He sees in the spirit the house before him.

The word “this” refers to the threshing floor David just bought. The foundation for the house of God is a threshing floor. The church is also built on a ‘threshing floor’. The wheat is beaten on the threshing floor to separate the chaff from the grain. It is a picture of the judgment with which the Lord Jesus was beaten, resulting in the origin of His church. The altar built in that place speaks of the Person of Christ and of the work He has accomplished as a sacrifice.

After the location of the temple has been determined, David will make preparations for the building of the temple and the service therein. Its description covers the rest of the first book of the Chronicles. After the turning away of the judgment on Jerusalem on the basis of the sacrifice, which the judgment has carried in place, the place where the sacrifice is brought is the basis of the temple and the temple service.

David establishes a temple service based on the sacrifice – the sacrifice is also a type of the Lord Jesus. Also today we have a temple service. For the church is “a temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is a spiritual temple. This spiritual temple includes a spiritual priestly service (1 Peter 2:5a; Revelation 1:6) with spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5b).

This spiritual priestly service with its spiritual sacrifices takes place especially when the church comes together to worship, that is to praise God for the gift of His Son. Based on the sacrifice, the sacrificial place becomes the center of a beautiful worship service which is established around the altar. These chapters indicate the great principles for the present service in what is now God’s temple.

The foreigners are called “to build the house of God” (1 Chronicles 22:2). They have to hew out stones. Today every believer originally is a foreigner, but is now allowed to contribute to the building of God’s house. We read about aliens who bring “large quantities of cedar timber to David” (1 Chronicles 22:4). Stone and wood are the basic elements for the house. Stones are a picture of believers, called “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Wood is a picture of man as one who belongs to the earth. Later all this will be covered with gold. Thus the believing man becomes one who shows God’s glory.

Then it is told that David prepares “large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps” (1 Chronicles 22:3). These materials are bought from the stock of David’s spoils of war. These are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 28-29. Here we see that the first thing mentioned of the house has to do with the doors of the gates. It is therefore in the foreground that it is important to ensure that what is and what is not allowed to enter. This is vital for the service in the house.

Together with the doors of the gates, “the clamps” are called. Apart from the supervision of who may and may not enter the temple, the mutual correlation of the believers is also important. If the believers are well connected by living together for the Lord Jesus and listening to God’s Word, the enemy will not have a chance to do his pernicious work among them. For example, false teachings about the Lord Jesus or God’s Word, which always sow divisions, will not have a chance to penetrate.

David contrasts the youthfulness and inexperience of Solomon with the house to be built for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:5). David wants the house to be made “exceedingly magnificent”. The reason for this is that it will be “famous and glorious throughout all lands”. In what David says, the contrast is expressed between man’s incompetence and inexperience and the enormous work of building the glorious house of God. From ourselves we can do nothing. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalms 127:1). But if the Lord cooperates, it succeeds (cf. Mark 16:20; Philippians 4:13).

Despite so much that has disappeared from the splendor of the house through our unfaithfulness, it is still possible to “adorn” God’s house, or to make it “glorious”. The remnant that has returned from Babylon to Israel does the same (Ezra 7:27).

We can “adorn” the house by a dedicated walk, by having meetings in which the Lord Jesus is glorified, by our testimony in this world, very generally by our complete submission to the Lord (cf. Titus 2:9-10). Then we build with good materials, with “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12a) and there is no room for the flesh. All services that do not envisage the building of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16) are not adornments for God’s house, but combustible material (1 Corinthians 3:12b-17).

David decides to prepare a supply with which Solomon can start building the house of God. He does this with an eye on the one hand to the youthfulness and inexperience of his son Solomon and on the other hand to the grandeur and splendor of that house. He does not do it sparingly, but he makes “ample preparations”. Everything is arranged by David for a house that has not yet been built. Thus everything is arranged through Christ before the church as His house is revealed in glory.

The last part of David’s life is filled with stockpiling for his son Solomon to build the temple. What a wonderful goal for an old man. What a wonderful example for all old believers. Old believers may diligently seek and serve the interests of God’s house to the last by supporting young believers in building God’s house.

2 Chronicles 7:20

Introduction

This chapter must have been another great encouragement for those who returned from Babylon to Israel to rebuild the altar, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem. They are the ones for whom the writer of the Chronicles (Ezra?) tells his story. The chronicler writes about David’s efforts to build God’s house and how he encouraged Solomon to do this great work. By this the returnees will be motivated to do the work in their days with the same commitment and dedication for the LORD.

This chapter, in its spiritual sense, also means an encouragement for all who are comparable to the returnees from Babylon. Babylon means ‘confusion’ and is a picture of professing Christianity where confusion reigns. It is also possible today to leave the ‘confusion’ and stand on the basis of the church. For all who want to build what is God’s temple today, the chronicler’s account contains many spiritual lessons.

David Prepares the Temple Building

The LORD has appointed David the place of the temple and the altar (1 Chronicles 21:15; 18; 26). David joins the choice of the LORD. Although no stone has yet been laid for the house, David says: “This is the house of the LORD God” (1 Chronicles 22:1). He sees in the spirit the house before him.

The word “this” refers to the threshing floor David just bought. The foundation for the house of God is a threshing floor. The church is also built on a ‘threshing floor’. The wheat is beaten on the threshing floor to separate the chaff from the grain. It is a picture of the judgment with which the Lord Jesus was beaten, resulting in the origin of His church. The altar built in that place speaks of the Person of Christ and of the work He has accomplished as a sacrifice.

After the location of the temple has been determined, David will make preparations for the building of the temple and the service therein. Its description covers the rest of the first book of the Chronicles. After the turning away of the judgment on Jerusalem on the basis of the sacrifice, which the judgment has carried in place, the place where the sacrifice is brought is the basis of the temple and the temple service.

David establishes a temple service based on the sacrifice – the sacrifice is also a type of the Lord Jesus. Also today we have a temple service. For the church is “a temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is a spiritual temple. This spiritual temple includes a spiritual priestly service (1 Peter 2:5a; Revelation 1:6) with spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5b).

This spiritual priestly service with its spiritual sacrifices takes place especially when the church comes together to worship, that is to praise God for the gift of His Son. Based on the sacrifice, the sacrificial place becomes the center of a beautiful worship service which is established around the altar. These chapters indicate the great principles for the present service in what is now God’s temple.

The foreigners are called “to build the house of God” (1 Chronicles 22:2). They have to hew out stones. Today every believer originally is a foreigner, but is now allowed to contribute to the building of God’s house. We read about aliens who bring “large quantities of cedar timber to David” (1 Chronicles 22:4). Stone and wood are the basic elements for the house. Stones are a picture of believers, called “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Wood is a picture of man as one who belongs to the earth. Later all this will be covered with gold. Thus the believing man becomes one who shows God’s glory.

Then it is told that David prepares “large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps” (1 Chronicles 22:3). These materials are bought from the stock of David’s spoils of war. These are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 28-29. Here we see that the first thing mentioned of the house has to do with the doors of the gates. It is therefore in the foreground that it is important to ensure that what is and what is not allowed to enter. This is vital for the service in the house.

Together with the doors of the gates, “the clamps” are called. Apart from the supervision of who may and may not enter the temple, the mutual correlation of the believers is also important. If the believers are well connected by living together for the Lord Jesus and listening to God’s Word, the enemy will not have a chance to do his pernicious work among them. For example, false teachings about the Lord Jesus or God’s Word, which always sow divisions, will not have a chance to penetrate.

David contrasts the youthfulness and inexperience of Solomon with the house to be built for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:5). David wants the house to be made “exceedingly magnificent”. The reason for this is that it will be “famous and glorious throughout all lands”. In what David says, the contrast is expressed between man’s incompetence and inexperience and the enormous work of building the glorious house of God. From ourselves we can do nothing. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalms 127:1). But if the Lord cooperates, it succeeds (cf. Mark 16:20; Philippians 4:13).

Despite so much that has disappeared from the splendor of the house through our unfaithfulness, it is still possible to “adorn” God’s house, or to make it “glorious”. The remnant that has returned from Babylon to Israel does the same (Ezra 7:27).

We can “adorn” the house by a dedicated walk, by having meetings in which the Lord Jesus is glorified, by our testimony in this world, very generally by our complete submission to the Lord (cf. Titus 2:9-10). Then we build with good materials, with “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12a) and there is no room for the flesh. All services that do not envisage the building of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16) are not adornments for God’s house, but combustible material (1 Corinthians 3:12b-17).

David decides to prepare a supply with which Solomon can start building the house of God. He does this with an eye on the one hand to the youthfulness and inexperience of his son Solomon and on the other hand to the grandeur and splendor of that house. He does not do it sparingly, but he makes “ample preparations”. Everything is arranged by David for a house that has not yet been built. Thus everything is arranged through Christ before the church as His house is revealed in glory.

The last part of David’s life is filled with stockpiling for his son Solomon to build the temple. What a wonderful goal for an old man. What a wonderful example for all old believers. Old believers may diligently seek and serve the interests of God’s house to the last by supporting young believers in building God’s house.

2 Chronicles 7:21

Solomon Prepared for Building the Temple

David calls for Solomon and charges him to build a house “for the LORD God of Israel” (1 Chronicles 22:6). Solomon is the right person for this. He also has the capacities for it. To do a work for the Lord requires a gift and a calling. Without gift and calling, what is done will not hold out because it is not from God (cf. Ezra 4:1-3).

David testifies toward his son of the interest he has always taken in a dwelling place for God. This is also an example for old believers. If it is well, they can tell that they have always given priority to God’s house in their lives. David tells Solomon that it has always been in his heart to build a house for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:6). He adds that the LORD told him that he could not build that house and the reason for it (1 Chronicles 22:7-8).

At the same time, he was promised that a son, who was still to be born at the time, would build the house (1 Chronicles 22:9). The LORD also said that this man will be “a man of rest”, to whom He will give rest from all his enemies around him. Therefore, says the LORD, the name of that son shall be “Solomon”. The name ‘Solomon’ is directly linked to peace. In that name is the word shalom, which means ‘peace’. In his days the LORD will “give peace and quiet to Israel”. These are the appropriate conditions for the building of the temple, the dwelling place of God, where He can dwell in peace among His people and they can bring sacrifices to Him.

It is a privilege for Solomon to build a house as a man of rest for the Name of the LORD. But this is not the only privilege. The LORD says further to David that his son shall be for Him a son, and He shall be for that son a Father (1 Chronicles 22:10). This can only refer to the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus. That thought is confirmed by what the LORD says of the throne of Solomon. This will be a throne which He will “establish … over Israel forever”. That throne is the throne of the Lord Jesus and of no one else.

Here David is also a picture of Christ. From what he says here, we see that the glory of God in peace among His people is always the object of the heart of Christ. The suffering Servant of the LORD had this in mind when He went His way of suffering on earth. David and Solomon are together a picture of the Lord Jesus: David in His suffering and in the establishment of the kingdom and Solomon in His glorious and eternal reign.

It is also nice to see that David is not disappointed that he is not allowed to build the temple. There is also no jealousy with him that Solomon can do it. He does not get cranky and renounce all cooperation, but accepts what God determines. With all the means God has given him, he is committed to building the temple.

As a practical application, we see that older believers can help younger believers in fulfilling their task by making available to these young believers what they themselves have gathered over the years. This makes the task more attractive and easier for young people. Young people can make grateful use of this.

David gives some conditions for doing the commissioned work and bringing it to a successful end (1 Chronicles 22:11-13). These conditions apply to any work that is also entrusted to us:

The first condition is that the Lord is with us (1 Chronicles 22:11). That He will be, as long as each one of us abides by what “He has spoken concerning you”.

The second condition is that the work to be done does not take place on the basis of our own insights (1 Chronicles 22:12). The Lord must give us “discretion and understanding”. He must help us to put into practice what we know.

The third condition is that of obedience to the word given by God to Moses (1 Chronicles 22:13). This is a requirement for all faithfulness and any revival after deviation. The later king Josiah also goes back to Moses (2 Kings 23:25; 2 Chronicles 35:6) and also to David (2 Chronicles 35:4).

The words “be strong and courageous” with which David encourages Solomon are also the words with which Moses encourages Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:6; 7; 9).

The material David has available for the building of God’s house has been collected by him “with great pains” (1 Chronicles 22:14). This determines us that the Lord Jesus can build His church through the ‘great pains’ of the cross. Solomon may add to this. This is reminiscent of Paul’s words when he says that in his flesh he completes “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1:24).

Paul’s suffering is of the same character as Christ’s suffering. This does not mean, of course, that he suffers to the same extent and certainly not for reconciliation. There is nothing lacking as to the atonement, which is complete within itself. God acquired the church through the suffering of the Lord Jesus on the cross, through the blood of His own Son (Acts 20:28b).

The Lord Jesus revealed God in His life on earth, but not all God’s eternal plans. Only when the Holy Spirit comes to earth do believers gain insight into God’s plans through the apostle Paul (Acts 20:27). For Paul, witnessing this truth brings with it abundant suffering. This is not substitute suffering, it is additional suffering.

2 Chronicles 7:22

Solomon Prepared for Building the Temple

David calls for Solomon and charges him to build a house “for the LORD God of Israel” (1 Chronicles 22:6). Solomon is the right person for this. He also has the capacities for it. To do a work for the Lord requires a gift and a calling. Without gift and calling, what is done will not hold out because it is not from God (cf. Ezra 4:1-3).

David testifies toward his son of the interest he has always taken in a dwelling place for God. This is also an example for old believers. If it is well, they can tell that they have always given priority to God’s house in their lives. David tells Solomon that it has always been in his heart to build a house for the LORD (1 Chronicles 22:6). He adds that the LORD told him that he could not build that house and the reason for it (1 Chronicles 22:7-8).

At the same time, he was promised that a son, who was still to be born at the time, would build the house (1 Chronicles 22:9). The LORD also said that this man will be “a man of rest”, to whom He will give rest from all his enemies around him. Therefore, says the LORD, the name of that son shall be “Solomon”. The name ‘Solomon’ is directly linked to peace. In that name is the word shalom, which means ‘peace’. In his days the LORD will “give peace and quiet to Israel”. These are the appropriate conditions for the building of the temple, the dwelling place of God, where He can dwell in peace among His people and they can bring sacrifices to Him.

It is a privilege for Solomon to build a house as a man of rest for the Name of the LORD. But this is not the only privilege. The LORD says further to David that his son shall be for Him a son, and He shall be for that son a Father (1 Chronicles 22:10). This can only refer to the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus. That thought is confirmed by what the LORD says of the throne of Solomon. This will be a throne which He will “establish … over Israel forever”. That throne is the throne of the Lord Jesus and of no one else.

Here David is also a picture of Christ. From what he says here, we see that the glory of God in peace among His people is always the object of the heart of Christ. The suffering Servant of the LORD had this in mind when He went His way of suffering on earth. David and Solomon are together a picture of the Lord Jesus: David in His suffering and in the establishment of the kingdom and Solomon in His glorious and eternal reign.

It is also nice to see that David is not disappointed that he is not allowed to build the temple. There is also no jealousy with him that Solomon can do it. He does not get cranky and renounce all cooperation, but accepts what God determines. With all the means God has given him, he is committed to building the temple.

As a practical application, we see that older believers can help younger believers in fulfilling their task by making available to these young believers what they themselves have gathered over the years. This makes the task more attractive and easier for young people. Young people can make grateful use of this.

David gives some conditions for doing the commissioned work and bringing it to a successful end (1 Chronicles 22:11-13). These conditions apply to any work that is also entrusted to us:

The first condition is that the Lord is with us (1 Chronicles 22:11). That He will be, as long as each one of us abides by what “He has spoken concerning you”.

The second condition is that the work to be done does not take place on the basis of our own insights (1 Chronicles 22:12). The Lord must give us “discretion and understanding”. He must help us to put into practice what we know.

The third condition is that of obedience to the word given by God to Moses (1 Chronicles 22:13). This is a requirement for all faithfulness and any revival after deviation. The later king Josiah also goes back to Moses (2 Kings 23:25; 2 Chronicles 35:6) and also to David (2 Chronicles 35:4).

The words “be strong and courageous” with which David encourages Solomon are also the words with which Moses encourages Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:6; 7; 9).

The material David has available for the building of God’s house has been collected by him “with great pains” (1 Chronicles 22:14). This determines us that the Lord Jesus can build His church through the ‘great pains’ of the cross. Solomon may add to this. This is reminiscent of Paul’s words when he says that in his flesh he completes “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1:24).

Paul’s suffering is of the same character as Christ’s suffering. This does not mean, of course, that he suffers to the same extent and certainly not for reconciliation. There is nothing lacking as to the atonement, which is complete within itself. God acquired the church through the suffering of the Lord Jesus on the cross, through the blood of His own Son (Acts 20:28b).

The Lord Jesus revealed God in His life on earth, but not all God’s eternal plans. Only when the Holy Spirit comes to earth do believers gain insight into God’s plans through the apostle Paul (Acts 20:27). For Paul, witnessing this truth brings with it abundant suffering. This is not substitute suffering, it is additional suffering.