1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 22: God chooses Solomon to build

Begin in prayer

Before we turn to David's plans for the temple, let us bow before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that He chose Solomon, a man of peace, and to lead us to Jesus, who is greater than Solomon.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are always praising you.

Psalm 84:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You chose Solomon to build Your house, and show us Jesus, who is greater than Solomon. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David said this place would be the house of the LORD God and the altar of burnt offering for Israel (verse 1). He gathered workers and prepared iron, brass and cedar in abundance, because Solomon was young (verses 2 to 5). David wanted to build the house, but God said no, because David had shed much blood (verses 7 and 8). God said David's son would be a man of peace, and that his name would be Solomon (verses 9 and 10). Solomon would build the house for God's name, and God would be his father (verse 10). David charged Solomon to be strong and courageous, and he told the princes of Israel to help him (verses 11 to 19).

As you read 1 Chronicles 22, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God chose Solomon, a man of peace, to build His house, and promised him rest from his enemies.

David said Ornan's threshing floor would be the place of the altar and of God's house (verse 1). David wanted to build the house, but the LORD said he had shed much blood and must not (verses 7 and 8). God chose Solomon instead, a man of peace, and promised him rest from all his enemies (verse 9). David prepared iron, brass, cedar and workmen, and he charged Solomon to be strong and keep the law (verses 2 to 13). This teaches that God chooses who builds His house, and that He gives peace to those He sends. It matters because David wanted to build and was told no, yet the work went on in Solomon's hands. It shows God as the One who plans His house and chooses His builder. Jesus said that one greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12 verse 42). He made peace through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1 verse 20).

How does 1 Chronicles 22 show us that God chose Solomon, a man of peace, to build His house, and promised him rest from his enemies?

David prepared everything for God's house.

David said this place would be the house of the LORD God and the altar for Israel (verse 1). He gathered masons and prepared iron, brass and cedar in abundance (verses 2 to 4). He prepared abundantly before his death, because Solomon was young (verse 5).

God said no to David and chose Solomon to build.

David had wanted to build a house for the LORD's name (verse 7). The LORD's word said no, because David had shed much blood in great wars (verse 8). God said a son would be born, a man of peace, who would build the house (verses 9 and 10). God would give him rest from all his enemies, and peace and quietness to Israel (verse 9).

Jesus is greater than Solomon, and He makes peace by the cross.

Jesus said that one greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12 verse 42). Paul wrote that God made peace through the blood of Christ's cross (Colossians 1 verse 20). Jesus said His body is the true temple (John 2 verses 19 to 21). He rose on the third day.

Memorise

He shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father

1 Chronicles 22:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I have peace with God, and have I come to Jesus, greater than Solomon?

God said that David's son would be “a man of peace.” Solomon built God's house, but Jesus said that one greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12 verse 42). The peace we need most is peace with God.

Our sin has made us enemies of God, and nothing we build or give can change that. Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1 verse 20). On the cross He carried His people's sin and bore its punishment, and His one offering was made once for all. He rose on the third day, and His body is the true temple (John 2 verses 19 to 21).

So come to Jesus for peace with God. Turn from your sin and trust Him. Sinners who trust Him are forgiven, and they have peace with God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God chose Solomon to build His house, and that Jesus is greater than Solomon. Parents, please explain gently in your own words why God would not let David build, in verse 8. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He chose Solomon to build His house, and that Jesus makes peace by the cross, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:14

Lord God, thank You that You chose Solomon to build Your house, and that Jesus is greater than Solomon. Please turn us from our sin, so that we trust Him. Give us peace with You this week. Amen.