Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
David lived in a palace of cedar while the ark that symbolized God was poorly housed in the curtained tabernacle, where the Shekinah dwelt between the cherubim, and he was filled with remorse that he lived magnificently while the ark was so poorly provided for and was impressed that a more honorable place should be prepared for the worship of God the Maker of heaven and earth. He made his conviction to build known to Nathan the prophet, who encouraged him to carry out his purpose of building a temple for the Lord to dwell in. Despite his best intention and his making large provisions and gathering abundant materials for the work, God refused him and told him he was not the one to do that work, for men's plans are not God's plans and God had a special work for David to perform.
By divine appointment nearly three thousand years ago, God in His providence selected David's son Solomon to accomplish the great work of building Him a house, so David called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel. God has a choice of the men who shall build His house, and it matters to Him who engages in the work and what spirit characterizes them, for He requires wisdom and men disciplined by His grace. The charge carried God's promise to give Solomon wisdom on condition that he walk in the way of righteousness and truth, showing God made no mistake in placing Solomon in a position of great responsibility. David himself had been called from a lowly position and entrusted with great responsibilities, and his prosperity and success came through God's blessing and not through any inherited goodness he possessed.
After refusing his desire, God granted him the next highest honor by entrusting the work to his son. The Lord blesses and makes useful to the advancement of His cause those who humbly devote themselves and all they have to His glory, and when He sees fit not to honor their desires He teaches the humble, teachable, and Spirit-controlled and counterbalances refusal with tokens of His love and other service entrusted to them. David's large experience fitted him to advise, counsel, and encourage Solomon, but the building had to devolve on Solomon, with the younger man doing the work while the father helped him. The verse means God has different sets of workmen for the different branches and stages of His cause, and when those called to a certain work have carried it as far as they can with the ability given them, the Lord in His providence calls and qualifies other men to come in and work with them to carry it farther and lift the standard higher.
Older, tired and worn minds that do not grow with the work, do not take in its greatness in all its bearings, and are not inclined to keep pace with opening providences should not belittle the men God has accepted, should not dictate just how the work should be done when they do not see it in all its bearings, and should not hinder helpers who take hold in a little different way or circumscribe the work or stand blocking the wheels by holding all responsibility, lest strength and efficiency diminish and advancement be retarded.
David lived in a palace of cedar while the ark that symbolized God was poorly housed in the curtained tabernacle, where the Shekinah dwelt between the cherubim, and he was filled with remorse that he lived magnificently while the ark was so poorly provided for and was impressed that a more honorable place should be prepared for the worship of God the Maker of heaven and earth. He made his conviction to build known to Nathan the prophet, who encouraged him to carry out his purpose of building a temple for the Lord to dwell in. Despite his best intention and his making large provisions and gathering abundant materials for the work, God refused him and told him he was not the one to do that work, for men's plans are not God's plans and God had a special work for David to perform.
By divine appointment nearly three thousand years ago, God in His providence selected David's son Solomon to accomplish the great work of building Him a house, so David called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel. God has a choice of the men who shall build His house, and it matters to Him who engages in the work and what spirit characterizes them, for He requires wisdom and men disciplined by His grace. The charge carried God's promise to give Solomon wisdom on condition that he walk in the way of righteousness and truth, showing God made no mistake in placing Solomon in a position of great responsibility. David himself had been called from a lowly position and entrusted with great responsibilities, and his prosperity and success came through God's blessing and not through any inherited goodness he possessed.
After refusing his desire, God granted him the next highest honor by entrusting the work to his son. The Lord blesses and makes useful to the advancement of His cause those who humbly devote themselves and all they have to His glory, and when He sees fit not to honor their desires He teaches the humble, teachable, and Spirit-controlled and counterbalances refusal with tokens of His love and other service entrusted to them. David's large experience fitted him to advise, counsel, and encourage Solomon, but the building had to devolve on Solomon, with the younger man doing the work while the father helped him. The verse means God has different sets of workmen for the different branches and stages of His cause, and when those called to a certain work have carried it as far as they can with the ability given them, the Lord in His providence calls and qualifies other men to come in and work with them to carry it farther and lift the standard higher.
Older, tired and worn minds that do not grow with the work, do not take in its greatness in all its bearings, and are not inclined to keep pace with opening providences should not belittle the men God has accepted, should not dictate just how the work should be done when they do not see it in all its bearings, and should not hinder helpers who take hold in a little different way or circumscribe the work or stand blocking the wheels by holding all responsibility, lest strength and efficiency diminish and advancement be retarded.