There is a challenge to every aspect of divine truth, and we see it in 1 Chronicles 29. David is coming to the end of his life and preparing the way for his son Solomon to succeed him to the throne of Israel. Although it had been David’s exercise to build the temple, a habitation of God, it was to be Solomon’s task and not David’s. However, what this chapter unfolds to us is the preparation that David had made in anticipation of the work that Solomon would fulfill. What spiritual legacy are we leaving for those who, in the will of God, will follow us?
Is it not remarkable that the God who created and sustains the universe, who is awesome in His power and purpose, should be interested in establishing a relationship with His creatures? Throughout these verses, David speaks of God as “my God” (vv. 2-3), and we must emphasize something of David’s appreciation of his God.
He is the sovereign God—“whom God alone hath chosen” (v. 1). God’s choice is not dependent on another, nor is it in any way subject to anything else. It was Daniel who spoke thus of God to Nebuchadnezzar: “And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Dan. 2:21).
He is the eternal God—“the Lord God” (v. 1). As the Newberry margin indicates, this is the divine title Jehovah Elohim. He is Jehovah, the eternal One, which was, which is, and which is to come, without beginning or ending.
He is the Triune God—“the Lord God” (v. 1). Again, Newberry gives the symbol to indicate that the word God is plural. You will note that in the Hebrew there is singular, dual, and plural. This is not one, singular, or two, dual, but three, plural—the persons in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
He is the holy God—“the holy house” (v. 3). The house in which He is to dwell among His people is holy, so it befits the character of the one who dwells within it. Indeed, the psalmist wrote, “Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, for ever” (Ps. 93:5).
But let us think primarily of the implications of David’s knowledge. It would be easy to regard this as a theoretical exercise. It could be one of mental exploration to enhance the intellect. However, we see here a wholly different response in the heart of David. His love for his God is seen in the preparation that he made for the building of the temple.
Desire not duty
“I have prepared with all my might” (v. 2).
As you go down the list of items that David contributed to the work, you can see how systematic and thoughtful he had been. He had no blueprint, no plan from which he might work to provide the resources. This task was to belong to Solomon and those whom God had gifted for the work.
Yet, as David spoke in 2 Samuel 22:33, “God is my strength and power,” so he committed that strength and power to this work of preparation. This was a work into which David put maximum effort. His appreciation of his God affected the way in which he worked for God.
There is a challenge for every believer here. Does the way in which we work for God demonstrate our appreciation of God? The danger may be that we contribute so little to the Lord’s work in time, effort, and expense that it manifests our lack of appreciation of our God. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “And will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Cor. 12:15).
Affection not Appearance
“I have set my affection to the house of my God” (v. 3).
It is clear that the reality of one’s affections can be determined only by the manner in which one gives. We can give coldly, out of duty and with no real sign of desire. We can give grudgingly, with no real sign of affection.
What David means here is that the concept of the building of the house of God was something that brought him pleasure and in which he took personal delight. There is nothing more encouraging as a parent than to see your child grow and develop. From the moment of their first smile, to their first steps, to their first words—all these memories are cherished.
The house of God in New Testament terms is not a building but a group of people, a called out company that belongs to the Lord. Does the development of individuals within that company bring delight and pleasure to our hearts? Do we have a genuine affection for all the Lord’s people? Paul wrote, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Sacrificially not Sparingly
“I have given…I have prepared” (v. 3).
It would be easy for David, as king and national leader, to have provided that which he had levied in some form of taxation from the people over whom he ruled. Or as victor over the nations around him, he could have given from the resources that he accrued from his victories. But this is not the way for David. He can say, “I have given” (v. 3). There has been a personal cost to David!
We have seen that David prepared with all his might. We now see that he has given generously from his own resources that the work of the Lord might be advanced. It is one thing to observe the amounts that individuals give to the work of the Lord, but it is quite another to see what people give in terms of their time and their effort, as well as their financial resources. There is a reminder of the giving of the poor widow who put two mites into the treasury. The measure of her giving was this: “She of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had” (Lk. 21:4).
Giving the Best
“The gold of Ophir…refined silver” (v. 4).
Yes, there was gold given. Yes, there was silver given. But for David, he gave of the gold of Ophir, and of the refined or purified silver. The gold of Ophir was prized as the purest, most refined gold that was available. The purified silver, like the gold, was that which had borne the hottest of fires to provide its purity. Only the best was good enough!
The measure of 3000 talents means very little to us. If we were to convert it into tonnage, it would weigh 114 tons. It can be compared with that which was given by the leaders of the nation from the tribes, which was 5000 talents, making David’s contribution at least 3/8 of the total but, in monetary terms, worth probably the same as that given by the people.
What do we contribute to the building of the house of the Lord, the local church, today? Based upon our appreciation of our God and our knowledge of His character, are we prepared to give out of a genuine desire and a heartfelt affection, and to give generously of the best that we have?