David's Big Plans

1 Chronicles 28

What strikes me right away as I read this is how much time and energy David obviously put into planning this house of God. This was not just some good idea he had. He had completed all of the design work, acquired all of the material, set aside the skilled work force. He was as they like to say nowadays "dirt ready" to put this thing in motion. It must have been very disappointing to him that he would not get to see it completed. Yet, like Moses who missed out on the crossing into the promise land because of God's judgement, David had to accept the reality that after all of his planning and hard work, he wouldn't be the one to complete the job. This is a great insight into the character of David. By all accounts he readily accepted God's decision and he seems to delight in the fact that his son Solomon would complete the massive project in his stead. Building a house for God was his primary motivation and it was noble.

The other thought I had was it is interesting how very public was the nature of this proclaimation David made to the people of Israel regarding the building of this house of God. Just look at the people present! Everyone was there! Anyone who had any job to do whatsoever in the new kingdom appeared to be present. Also the preparations made by David are extensive. He litterally thought of everything. This is a very good example of the proper way to "pass the torch" -- something so many great men fail to do properly and as a result the predecessors pale in comparison to them.