1 Chronicles 28  (David’s Public Charge to Solomon)

 

Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel:

A)David is here in the last days of his life. Gathers the leaders -  Commission his son.

 

B)Now David has already addressed the leaders

1 Chronicles 22:17. 19

 

17 David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,  19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD."

 

Note this was a key verse for us and them. Arise & build

 

C)Now he is addressing them again. V.1   Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor.

 

 

Reading the Bible – One of the things to note is Sins to avoid – Watch out for that.

A)Look at the life of David – see he had many family problems that were the result of Sin!

 

B) But when we read the Bible we are to not only mark the things to avoid but also what learn

Cc) When looking at David – one thing we can learn from his life is about leadership

 

C) David was a tremendous leader!

1) Great at rallying pp together and leading pp in the ways of the Lord

 

D) One of the areas of my life that I am constantly praying to God about is make me a good leader

1) Lord show me how to lead your people.

 

E) Lord surround me with Godly men – to help in this area.

1) Never ending Process – of growing in this area

 

F) Sometimes when I get asked to speak to other Pastors @ a Conf – I have to laugh – I so don’t know what I am doing – Still much to learn

 

 

So David gathers all of the leaders together he is going to rehearse the history of Judah

 

2 Then King David rose to his feet{Old} and said, "Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. 3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.

 

 

David was a man of great blood shed –

A)We read in a previous Chapter – David led the army – killed – 7,000 men in Chariot / 40,000 ft men

 

B) He was a man of battle – Man of war / bloodshed

1)God’s house was to be a place of worship / place of peace - 

 

C) God said – David you can’t build me a house

 

V.4 However the Lord God of Israel chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, He was pleased with me to make me king over all Israel.

 

D) In Genesis 49:10 The Lord declared that the Scepter would not depart from Judah. –

1) Judah was to be the kingly tribe!

 

E) David is making note of that fact – and out of all the men in the tribe of Judah – God picked him!

1) He was pleased with me

 

That is a concept that we don’t often – consider – God is pleased with you.  Hebrews 2:11-12

The one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says,

 

"I will declare your name to my brothers;

in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."  

Hebrews 11:16

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

 

What a blessing to consider tonight – God is not ashamed of you – He is pleased with you.

A)David is recognizing this – God was pleased with me

 

V.5-8 And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’ Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever.”

 

Of All of David’s Sons – God Chose Solomon!

A)Who was Solomon? – Mother was Bathsheba

 

B) David commits adultery with the wife of one of his mighty men- Uriah

1) Pregnant { Child became ill -

 

C) David – was hoping God would be gracious and spare the child – instead the Child died

 

D) But God’s grace is seen in that God gave David and Bathsheba another son –

1) God picks that son – to REIGN – He blesses Solomon unlike any leader – before or since.

 

E) God is so GRACIOUS!

1) He can turn our screw ups into something great

 

You know some don’t like that!

A)Look at this story and wrestle with the fact that God would pick Solomon.

 

B) Son of an adulterous relationship { David did marry ……..

1)But the Damage was done – Kingdom was tainted

 

C) Some would scratch their heads and say: Why Solomon?

 

The Answer is really simple – He is a God of Grace!

A)Sin abounds grace abounds much more. – God’s grace is greater than our  sin!

 

B) He gives grace to help in our time of need !

1) Resist the proud – gives grace to the Humble – David was humbled by his Sin

 

C) SO God in His love pours out blessing that we don’t deserve – that is GRACE

1)SO God in His Grace Chooses Solomon to be David’s Heir { Build God a House

Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever: God promised that if the royal descendents of David remained obedient, the Lord would protect their throne and the kingdom of Israel, and there would always be a descendent of David reigning over Israel.

 

Ultimate Fulfillment in Christ the messiah

 

Note the Charge again in V. 8

Be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord:

A)This was an important and well-chosen exhortation to the people of Israel.

 

They were exhorted to be careful, in the sense that they had to regard this responsibility as important and worthy of attention.{ Priority

 

They were exhorted to seek out the commandments of God, searching the Scriptures diligently.

 

They were exhorted to seek out all the commandments, and not compromise by focusing on a few favored commandments.

 

Solomon’s Special Charge!

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

Know the God of your Father!

A)Not Fathers – But Father – David – often my God

 

B) I like this about David the man after God’s own heart – He was after God’s heart

1) Pursuer of God

 

C) Wasn’t interested in simply gaining Knowledge about God-

1) David really wanted to Know God !

 

David was essentially telling Solomon, “The secret of my success has been my relationship with God. You need to pursue the same relationship.”

A)Notice that the command to know came before the command to serve.

 

B) “All failure in service is the result of loss of vision of God, misapprehension of Him, due to some distance from Him.” (Morgan)

 

C)Serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind: David also exhorted Solomon to serve God with both his heart and mind.

 

D)Some people are all heart and no mind in their service to God; others are all mind and no heart.

1) Both of these are important to truly serve Him.

 

Serve Him With a Loyal heart!

A)A whole heart or a heart that is totally devoted to God! – Not a Divided heart

 

B) Serve Him – using your talents and gifts to serve the Lord – Completely devoted

1) Not distracted or divided by worldly pursuits

 

C) Serve Him – taking care of your family

1) Serve Him – being a good witness at work

2) Serve Him – involved in ministry @ Church

 

D) Serve Him with a Loyal heart and a willing mind

1) Willing – important word – Willingness

 

Sometimes we can look at what God has called us to do – as a Have to.

A)Remember when God called me into ministry

 

B) So excited about doing anything – Set up chairs

Pick up trash – I get to serve the Lord

 

C) Then after being in ministry full time for a while – became a have to. – Started to be grudge some of it

1) God gently spanked me – DON’T NEED YOU

 

D) Now I am always blown away – Tremendous Privilege I have to serve the Lord

1) Not a have to but a get to ! WOW

 

E) God thank you that I get to do this!

Now David gave Solomon a reason to commit his heart and mind to God: for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.

A) He searches our hearts – motives – He sees all

 

B)Times going thru the motions – He sees – He can tell not a DEVOTED HEART – WILLING MIND

 

C) Note also that as David – is at the end of his life his exhortation to his son becomes stronger.

 

D) Relate: Man to man with Aaron{ Graduating

 

V.9b If you seek Him, He will be found by you;

A)What a great promise this is – If you seek Him He will be found by you.

 

B) Definitely true in Solomon’s life – When He sought the Lord – God revealed himself

1) He blessed Solomon with His presence in an abundant way

 

C) Great Promise { Also a sober warning

 

but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever:

 

If you leave Him – He will leave you!

A)Can’t lose your salvation -  Secure –

 

B) But you can leave it – walk away.

 

V.10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”

A). All of David’s exhaustive preparations would be for nothing if Solomon did not complete the job that David started.

 

B)It is easy to see how important this was for David.

 

C)He had spent enormous effort to prepare the temple but would all be naught unless Solomon did in fact do it.

 

“Do not talk about it; do not sit down, and dream over the plans, and think how admirable they are, and then roll them up; but, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it.’” (Spurgeon)

 

RD V.11-19

 

Note V.12 & V.19 Given the plans by the Spirit – in Writing His hand upon me.

A)These practical details were inspired by the Holy Spirit, not by human ingenuity.

 

B) Here I believe we have some insight into how inspiration works –   2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Inspiration: God’s hand being on the human instrument– using their personality – they compose and record God’s revelation to man without error.

 

So it was thru Divine inspiration that God Gave David the plans for the temple - David lays it out for Solomon.

 

V.20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God; my God; will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

 

Now this is the third time that David gives this Charge to Solomon: Be strong!

A)Why ? I think it is obvious Solomon felt weak

 

B) Don’t be afraid : Solomon was

 

C) Same way God exhorted Joshua 3 times – Be strong and courageous – don’t be afraid

1)I think Joshua was greatly afraid –  Big task to take Moses place – Over whelming !

 

When I read this: Great comfort!

A)I always feel week – I always feel overwhelmed @ what God has called me to do.

 

B) Husband / parent / Pastor / Leader

1) I feel overwhelmed

C)The Lord Exhorted Joshua 3 times as well – and the third time he gets even Stronger

1) Have I not commanded you – Be strong and of good courage – do not be afraid

 

D) Obvious that Joshua was shrinking back from his calling

 

E) I can relate to that in our present situation as a Church

 

 Ch.29 David will say of Solomon – He is young and inexperienced .

A) Never gone this way before.

 

B) Man I relate to that – Lord what are we doing this building thing

1) Pastors ask How much – building – 15mill

Their eyes get real big { CRAZY

 

C)I know it scares me to death – But we are convinced that God is in this.

 

 It is very natural for us to shrink back at times

A)Seeing that these great men of God – responded in that same way: Comforts my heart

 

Aa) Some of you afraid tonight – Your task

 

B) At the same time I also find it liberating – Because it is a reminder that it is not about me / you!

C) When I know that I am walking in the path that God has laid out for me –

1) No matter how overwhelmed – over my head I feel I can rest assured – He will carry me thru.

 

D) The latter part of this verse was of great comfort to me several months ago

 

He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

 

I was reminded of something Brian shared with me 11 yrs ago – when I am came here.

A)Not just maintain – Grow – bring new vision

 

B) Part of that was going to be a new Building !

 

C) Times I have lost hope – but this passage really blessed me - until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

 

 

My intent tonight was to finish 1 Chronicles – but I sensed this afternoon – the Lord said – Stop

A)Many pp here tonight – afraid / overwhelmed

 

B) A Calling

1) Sickness

     Marriage

              Parent - 

Whatever facing – God’s call – Be strong

A)Not muster up some kind of strength from yourself – but strength resting in this promise

 

V.20b He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

 

One last thing the Lord wanted Solomon to know & us as well – We never go thru it alone.

 

“Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”

 

With some of our leaders last night – one going thru a heavy Physical thing – not alone

 

 

Be Strong – Lift hands – Receive