GOD'S DETAILED PLAN FOR THE TEMPLE

Passage: 1 Chronicles 28:11-21

Key verse: 19

NIV

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans(A) for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit(B) had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.(C) 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions(D) of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the Lord, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. 14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: 15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands(E) and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table(F) for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls(G) and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense.(H) He also gave him the plan for the chariot,(I) that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow(J) the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details(K) of the plan.(L)”

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous,(M) and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake(N) you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.(O) 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled(P) in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 Then David gave Solomon his son the (A)plan of the (B)vestibule of the temple,[a] and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the (C)mercy seat; 12 and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the Lord, all the surrounding chambers, (D)the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; 13 for the (E)divisions of the priests and of the (F)Levites, and all the work of the service in the house of the Lord; for all the vessels for the service in the house of the Lord, 14 the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, 15 the weight of the golden (G)lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand in the service, 16 the weight of gold for each table for the showbread, the silver for the silver tables, 17 and pure gold for the forks, the basins and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; 18 for the (H)altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the (I)cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 19 “All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, (J)all the work to be done according to the plan.”

20 Then David said to Solomon his son, (K)“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 21 And behold the (L)divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be (M)every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Chronicles 28:11 Hebrew lacks of the temple
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. David gave the plans to Solomon (11-19)

The LORD himself inspired David with a very detailed plan for the temple. The portico, the buildings, the rooms, the place of atonement, the temple courts, etc. were all designed by God. God helped David understand all the details, and then David shared these plans with Solomon. Moreover, David gave instructions regarding the priests and Levites as well as the amount of precious metals used in all the instruments for worship. These details helped the Israelites to understand that God can only be approached by God's way. The temple points to Jesus Christ, the only way to God.

2. The LORD God is with you (2

-21)

The temple was the most important public works project ever undertaken in Israel's history. It represented their identity as God-worshiping people chosen by him. Solomon was young and inexperienced. But David encouraged him to be strong and courageous. God would help him. The people were ready to follow Solomon's leadership. God not only gives us work to do; he is with us to carry it to completion. God never fails.

Prayer: Father, you are holy. Thank you for Jesus through whom we can know and worship you.

One Word: Jesus our temple