1 Chronicles 22:1-5·~1 min

Preparations for the Temple

David names the site for the house of the LORD and the altar, then organizes labor and stores vast supplies of stone, metal, and cedar. He does this because Solomon is young and the temple must be renowned for the LORD's honor.

T¹hen David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God, as well as the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” ²So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God. ³David provided a large quantity of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with more bronze than could be weighed ⁴and more cedar logs than could be counted; for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large quantity of cedar logs to David. ⁵And David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent — famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore I must make preparations for it.” So David made lavish preparations before his death.

Section summaryDavid identifies the future temple site and begins preparing what its construction will require. Because Solomon is young and the house must carry the LORD's name with splendor, David gathers materials in abundance before his death.

Role in the chapterThis opening section establishes both the place and the scale of the temple project. It shows David serving the work in advance, so the chapter begins with preparation rather than possession.