Verses 10-22

David"s blessing29:10-22

"The climax of David"s reign, as portrayed by the Chronicler, has now been reached. All the preparations for building the temple have been completed, and Song of Solomon, chosen by God as the one who shall bring the plans to fruition, is about to be proclaimed as king over all Israel. And at this point the Chronicler reveals his true heart: the proper response to such a situation is a prayer which breathes joyful faith and simple humility." [Note: Williamson, 1,2 . . ., p185.]

These were some of David"s last official words to his nation and his son Solomon. Ancient Near Easterners regarded such statements as extremely important, as indeed they were. In this address David reviewed the major lessons he had learned in life.

First, he said that everything belonged to Israel"s great God ( 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

"The truth that "everything" we have "comes from" God is the foundation for the doctrine of stewardship. Its basis is this: since our property is his ( Psalm 24:1), and since we hold it only temporarily and in trust ( 1 Chronicles 29:15-16), it should therefore be used for him ( Luke 17:10 ...)." [Note: Payne, "1, 2 Chronicles," p438. See also idem, The Theology of the Older Testament, pp434-35.]

God had made it possible for His people to build an unusually magnificent temple. He had also caused Israel to grow from a small family of insignificant shepherds to become a mighty nation ( 1 Chronicles 29:14-16).

Second, David saw a parallel between Israel"s growth and Yahweh"s elevation of him ( 1 Chronicles 29:17). God had graciously blessed both David and Israel. Their prosperity was not a result of their own merits. David also spoke of the importance of a heart devoted to God ( 1 Chronicles 29:17-19; cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). The people"s lavish donation revealed hearts God had touched. David prayed that that heart attitude might remain in God"s people forever.

"Three important attitudes were expected in Israel-not merely obedience but obedience with a perfect heart ( 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17); not merely contributions to the temple for its repair and upkeep and the support of its personnel but willing contributions ( 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; 1 Chronicles 29:14; 1 Chronicles 29:17); and not merely temple rituals but ritual participation with joy ( 1 Chronicles 29:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; 1 Chronicles 29:22)." [Note: Thompson, p39. On the significance of "heart" in Chronicles, see Howard, pp264-66.]

These emphases are even more prominent in2Chronicles than they are in1Chronicles.

Verses 23-25

Solomon"s coronation29:23-25

Two years after David"s blessing, Solomon mounted the throne as sole king of Israel. [Note: Merrill, Kingdom of ..., p248, n37.] The events surrounding Adonijah"s rebellion ( 1 Kings 1) were of no significance to the Chronicler since they had no bearing on his purpose. His interest lay in Solomon as a focus of the Davidic Covenant promises and the builder of the temple.

Verses 26-30

David"s death29:26-30

The writer highlighted David"s greatness again and cited documentation for the sources he had used in researching David"s life and reign. The Chronicler identified32sources that he used in writing1,2Chronicles. Most of these were official annals, genealogical records, or prophetic records. [Note: See Howard, pp238-42.] Compare the summary of Moses" life in Deuteronomy 34:7.

As the reign of David closed, God had already fulfilled many of His promises in the Davidic Covenant. Yet many remained unfulfilled. On the basis of God"s faithfulness thus far the Chronicler had built a solid base of confidence that He would also fulfill those that remained. This fulfillment motif is one he carried through his history of David and Solomon"s successors that follows in2Chronicles.

"The Chronicler presents not one but two great kings as the ideal for Israel. The one was David, the warrior-king, who subdued the enemies of the people of God and established a secure domain. He was now passing, and the other, Song of Solomon, was taking his place. Solomon was a man of peace who would build up the prosperity of the nation. These two things together-victory over enemies and a reign of peace-are both essential. For Christian readers these two ideals are fulfilled in the one Prayer of Manasseh, Jesus Christ. He conquers all his foes but at the same time establishes a reign of peace for his own people. In this the tandem of David and Solomon are a type of Christ. [Note: Thompson, pp198-99. Cf. Wilcock, pp140-42.]