29:1 King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man, and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.
David continued his last speech from the previous chapter. His audience was the leaders of Israel.
David was basically saying, in a polite political manner, that Solomon was an inexperienced sissy. Solomon was green behind the ears and not very strong. God uses the weak things of the world to shame the arrogant ones of the world. On the other hand, David was an experienced veteran. He was gracious, generous, but also as tough as nails.
29:2 So I have made every effort to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster.
David’s military conquests cornered the gold market of that day. He provided all of the materials for the temple. All Solomon had to do was to take David’s blueprint and build it.
29:3 Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple.
David donated his personal treasure to the building of the temple.
29:4 This includes 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, 29:5 for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the Lord today?”
David led by example. He gave generously and asked others to follow his example.
29:6 The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly.
The leaders of Israel followed David’s example and gave willingly. God does not need a believer’s money. He already owns everything. God loves a cheerful giver. No one can outgive God.
29:7 They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talents and ten thousand darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron.
The people of Israel were very wealthy, because of the leadership of David. David was a godly king who did not tolerate idolatry. Israel was being blessed, because she followed the Mosaic Law. Being prosperous, Israel was able to give more.
29:8 All who possessed precious stones donated them to the treasury of the Lord’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Many people were willing to give up their diamonds for the sake of the temple.
29:9 The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; King David was also very happy.
The people were cheerful givers. God loves cheerful givers. He does not want gifts from believers, unless they are given cheerfully.
29:10 David praised the Lord before the entire assembly: “O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore!
Notice that David called God the Father of the Nation of Israel. In the Old Testament. God was never called the father of individuals. When Jesus called God His individual Father, then he was breaking new ground.
29:11 O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.
God is sovereign over all of heaven and earth, but He is allowing Satan to rule this world. This is why the modern world is so full of heartbreak, tears, disappointments, disasters, sickness, disease, death, evil, and wars. Believers are to pray for the Kingdom of God to replace the Kingdom of Satan. The Kingdom of God will purge evil out of the world and replace it with the glory of God.
29:12 You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.
All of the intellectual, physical, and spiritual strength of man actually comes from God. No one can do anything if God does not empower and allow them to do so.
29:13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!
David praised God for His name, meaning His divine character.
29:14 “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.
God owns everything. When a believer gives to God, he is only giving back what God already owns.
29:15 For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors; our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security.
Israel was only a foreigner and a nomad in the presence of God. Everyone’s life is just a shadow on earth. A shadow will disappear when God shines His light upon the shadow.
29:16 O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you.
All of the wealth for the temple already belonged to God.
29:17 I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.
God can read the thoughts of every single person on earth all at one time. Not only that, but God knows the thoughts of every single person on earth before they even think it.
29:18 O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, maintain the motives of your people and keep them devoted to you.
David reminded the leaders that God will keep His promises of the Abrahamic Covenant.
29:19 Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”
David asked God to make Solomon willing to obey God’s commandments in building the temple. This prayer was answered. However, after the temple was finished, Solomon fell into idolatry.
29:20 David told the entire assembly: “Praise the Lord your God!” So the entire assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors; they bowed down and stretched out flat on the ground before the Lord and the king.
The entire assembly praised God. This attitude of Israel turned them into the most powerful nation in history.
29:21 The next day they made sacrifices and offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord (1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs), along with their accompanying drink offerings and many other sacrifices for all Israel.
All of these sacrifices pointed to the Messiah. The nation could not make these many sacrifices unless they were prospered materially by God.
29:22 They held a feast before the Lord that day and celebrated. Then they designated Solomon, David’s son, as king a second time; before the Lord they anointed him as ruler and Zadok as priest.
Solomon had been co-regent with David for the last two years. He was designated as King of Israel a second time at this celebration.
29:23 Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king in place of his father David; he was successful and all Israel was loyal to him.
Solomon began his self-rule as king. Israel was loyal to him.
29:24 All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.
The leadership of Israel supported King Solomon.
29:25 The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.
The Lord gave Solomon supernatural political wisdom. The author was preparing the nation of Israel for their return to the land by reminding them of their special calling from God.
29:26 David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
The author reminded his readers that David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was a shepherd of humble origins. Jesse produced the greatest king in all of history. He produced a king after God’s own heart. He produced a king who would be the standard for all other kings.
Many kings are given the name Alexander the Great, or Herod the Great, or Ivan the Great. These men were not great. They were ruthless killers who murdered, raped, and plundered weaker nations. David was a great king who should be the model for all kings and political leaders.
29:27 He reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in seven years and in Jerusalem thirty-three years.
David ruled for a total of forty years.
29:28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him.
David accomplished what God called him to accomplish. David lived to an advanced age. Solomon succeeded his father as king.
29:29 King David’s accomplishments, from start to finish, are recorded in the Annals of Samuel the prophet, the Annals of Nathan the prophet, and the Annals of Gad the prophet.
The Annals of Samuel are 1 and 2 Samuel. The books of Nathan and Gad have been lost.
29:30 Recorded there are all the facts about his reign and accomplishments, and an account of the events that involved him, Israel, and all the neighboring kingdoms.
1 and 2 Samuel give more details about the reign of King David. In conclusion, God used King David to make Israel the envy of all nations. All nations would visit Israel during the reign of Solomon. They would all witness the glory of God by observing the splendor of Israel.