It was in the heart of David to build a temple for the Lord in order to house the ark of the covenant. But God said no. It wasn’t that God wasn’t pleased with David, in fact, quite the opposite. But his hands had shed so much blood that it meant he was not a good candidate to build the temple (1 Chr 22:8). Instead, the Lord would put it in the heart of his son Solomon.
Since David couldn’t build the temple himself and he also knew that Solomon was young and inexperienced (1 Chr 22:5), he decided to give Solomon everything he needed to succeed without actually doing it for him. He bought gold, silver, wood, bronze, iron, stones and more, some things in such great quantities that they couldn’t be counted (1 Chr 22:14:14). Then he set up in place workers such as stone cutters, masons, carpenters and more (1 Chr 22:15).
Before he charged his son Solomon to build the temple, he first put everything into context. That his rulership was not just about a temple, but about following the LORD completely and wholly. Making sure to obey all the commandments that the Lord had given.
“Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He has said about you. Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in charge of Israel so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will succeed if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged” (1 Chr 22:11-13).
Finally he was given the charge to build the temple. David had given him everything he needed to get a start and make progress. And the season was ripe as the wars were few:
“The LORD your God is with you, isn’t He? And hasn’t He give you rest on every side? For He has handed the land’s inhabitants over to me, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people. Now determine in your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Get started building the LORD God’s sanctuary so that you may bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant and the holy articles of God to the temple that is to be built for the name of Yahweh” (1 Chr 22:18-19).
David wasn’t allowed to build the temple for the Lord. And instead of being offended, he made full provision and blessing for his son to fulfill what was to be given to him.
This was a beautiful act of fatherhood and faith. He believed God would make it happen so he prepared for it. And instead of being passive he made sure his son had all that he needed to do the job well.
What has God said for the next generation for us? How are we preparing them to fulfill what God will put in their hearts? Are we equipping those who come after us to both walk faithfully and fulfill the dreams God has put in their hearts?
It is a race that we run and we only get one leg of the race. At some point we will pass the baton. How we pass that baton matters. Is there something in our work that will live beyond us?