1 Chronicles 22:9, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the account of David preparing for the temple at Jerusalem and being told that Solomon his son would carry out the building work instead of him. It stands at the point of Solomon's succession and his father's plan to build, as Solomon takes up that plan while facing the weight of his kingly duties. The temple work it speaks of was accomplished in Jerusalem nearly three thousand years ago by divine appointment and providence through David's son Solomon, while David himself had a different special work to perform. David dwelt in his palace of cedar and the chosen nation dwelt in costly houses, while the ark made in the wilderness and borne from Horeb to Jerusalem through the forty-year pilgrimage, which symbolized the mighty God, remained poorly provided for in the curtained tabernacle where the Shekinah dwelt between the cherubim.

David was convicted and remorseful that he lived magnificently while God was housed so poorly. He made known to Nathan the prophet his purpose to prepare a more honorable place for the worship of God the Maker of heaven and earth, and Nathan encouraged him to carry it out. The verse promises that a son would be born to David who would be a man of rest. God would give him rest from all his enemies round about and give peace and quietness to Israel in his days, and his name would be Solomon, which means peaceable.

By divine appointment and providence Solomon rather than David was selected to build the house for the name of the Lord. David was not permitted because he had shed much blood and fought many wars. God refused even his best and most cherished intention to build His house and chose Solomon his son to build it instead. God made no mistake in placing Solomon in this position of great responsibility. The promise included that he would be God's son and that the throne of his kingdom over Israel would be established forever. God would give him wisdom and understanding on the condition that he walk in righteousness and truth and keep the law of the Lord.

David still had a part through gathering materials for the work and through counseling and encouraging his son who would carry it out. Although God did not allow David to carry out the wish of his heart, He granted him the next highest honor of entrusting the work to his son, while David himself had a different special work to perform. The verse shows that God has a choice of the men who shall build His house, and it makes a difference to Him who engages in the work and what spirit characterizes them. He would have men engage in His work who have wisdom and are disciplined by His grace. Men's plans are not God's plans, and what looks exceedingly wise to men may not be so to the Lord, who may see it best for men and for His cause to refuse their very best intentions.

The verse teaches that prosperity and success come through the blessing of God and not through any inherited goodness, as David was reminded of the lowly position he was in when God called him and entrusted him with great responsibilities. The Lord will bless and make useful those who humbly devote themselves and all they have to His glory. If He sees fit not to honor their desires, He will, if they are humble, teachable, and under the control of His Spirit, counterbalance His refusal by giving them tokens of His love and entrusting to them other service.