1 Chronicles 22 5

1 Chronicles 22:5 kjv

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:5 nkjv

Now David said, "Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it." So David made abundant preparations before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:5 niv

David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:5 esv

For David said, "Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it." So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:5 nlt

David said, "My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the LORD must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now." So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.

1 Chronicles 22 verses

1 Chronicles 22 5 Meaning

David articulates his rationale for his diligent and extensive preparation for the construction of the Lord's Temple. He acknowledges that his son Solomon, destined to build the sanctuary, is young and lacks the extensive experience required for such a monumental undertaking. Therefore, David asserts that the House of the Lord must be of unparalleled magnificence, not only reflecting God's supreme glory but also serving as a renowned and awe-inspiring testament to His greatness throughout all the nations.

1 Chronicles 22 5 Context

Chapter 22 of 1 Chronicles follows David's successful military campaigns and the census. Though initially desiring to build a permanent temple for God, David was prohibited due to his being a man of war (1 Chr 22:8). Instead, God chose David's son, Solomon, to undertake the task. In light of this, David dedicates himself to making immense preparations, gathering vast quantities of materials (stone, iron, bronze, timber) and skilled workers (1 Chr 22:2-4). Verse 5 serves as David's theological and practical justification for this extraordinary effort. He explains to Solomon and likely to the elders and leaders that Solomon's youth necessitated David's heavy involvement in securing resources and planning. Moreover, the inherent nature of the project—building a dwelling place for the Sovereign Lord—demanded a structure of unsurpassed magnificence that would speak of God's glory to all the known world. Historically, this period marks a crucial transition from the movable Tabernacle, signifying God's presence among His nomadic people, to a permanent Temple in Jerusalem, emphasizing the stability of His covenant with Israel and His universal reign.

1 Chronicles 22 5 Word analysis

• David said: This phrase emphasizes David's role as the authoritative voice and the source of this wisdom and instruction regarding the Temple's construction. It signals his foresight and the importance of his counsel.
• Solomon my son: Transliteration: Shlomo benî. Highlights the direct paternal relationship and David's deep concern and specific intent for his designated successor. It underscores the divine anointing and David's recognition of the future monarch.
• is young: Hebrew: נַעַר (na'ar). Signifies adolescence or early manhood, implying a lack of mature judgment and extensive experience. This is not a dismissal but a realistic assessment that dictates David's actions in preparation. Solomon himself acknowledges this youthfulness in 1 Kings 3:7.
• and inexperienced: Hebrew: וְרָךְ (v'rach). Meaning "tender," "soft," or "weak." It suggests an inherent vulnerability or lack of fortitude and seasoned practical skill in leadership and massive administrative undertakings. This compounds the challenge posed by his youth.
• the house: Hebrew: הַבַּיִת (habayit). Refers specifically to the Temple. It is more than just a structure; it is "the house" dedicated to the Lord, signifying God's chosen dwelling place among His people.
• to be built for the Lord: Hebrew: לַיהוָה לִבְנוֹת (la-YHWH livnot). Emphatically states the divine recipient and purpose of the building. This eliminates any ambiguity about its sacred function and prevents it from being perceived as a mere palace or national monument. Its dedication is exclusively to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
• must be of great magnificence: Hebrew: לְגֹדֶל מַעְלָה (legōḏel maʿlāh), literally "for greatness, of rising high" or "exceedingly great." This stresses that the Temple's scale and splendor should not just be large, but surpass common human architectural achievements. Its majesty should directly reflect the infinite and transcendent majesty of God, who it serves. It speaks to quality, scale, and awe-inspiring beauty, befitting the sovereign King of the universe.
• so that it may be renowned: Hebrew: וּלְשֵׁם (u'lešem), literally "and for a name." Implies establishing its fame and reputation. The Temple's "name" would be synonymous with the name of God, thus drawing attention to His unique power and identity. It is for God's fame, not Israel's.
• and glorious: Hebrew: וּלְתִפְאֶרֶת (u'letif'eret). Meaning "for splendor," "beauty," or "adornment." This speaks to its impressive appearance and the impression of awe and honor it would evoke. It completes the picture of the Temple as a beacon of divine majesty.
• throughout all lands: Hebrew: בְּכָל הָאֲרָצוֹת (b'ḵol ha'araṣot). This expands the Temple's intended impact beyond Israel's borders. It means its renown and glory would extend to all known nations, serving as a testament to the one true God for Gentiles. This prefigures the universal aspect of God's plan for humanity, that His salvation would be seen by the ends of the earth.

Words-group analysis:

• "David said, 'Solomon my son is young and inexperienced'": This sets forth the primary human motivation for David's immense personal involvement in the preparation process. It portrays David not as jealous or reluctant to relinquish power, but as a wise and loving father safeguarding his son and, more importantly, the Lord's future house.
• "and the house to be built for the Lord must be of great magnificence": This phrase encapsulates the theological justification for the unparalleled effort. The nature of God—His infinite greatness, power, and glory—demanded a dwelling place that would reflect His attributes. This was not about human vanity, but divine honor.
• "so that it may be renowned and glorious throughout all lands": This segment highlights the ultimate, broader purpose of the Temple. It was to serve as a universal testimony to God's glory, a spiritual lighthouse drawing the attention of all nations, thereby extending God's reputation beyond Israel's confines and foreshadowing a time when all peoples would acknowledge Him.

1 Chronicles 22 5 Bonus section

• The chronicler emphasizes David's extraordinary planning and resource gathering to establish him as a truly pious leader who laid the groundwork for Israel's worship, alongside his role as a military leader.
• The idea of "great magnificence" speaks not merely of cost or size, but of the dedication of the very best resources and craftsmanship, reflecting the concept of offering God first fruits and unblemished sacrifices. It elevates human craftsmanship to divine service.
• David's actions in this verse provide a powerful illustration of preparing the next generation for significant spiritual responsibilities, offering resources and wisdom rather than leaving them to flounder alone. This highlights a principle of mentorship and succession planning within God's work.
• This verse contains an early hint of God's universal redemptive plan, foreshadowing a future when "all lands" (the Gentiles) would know and recognize the true God. This theme finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant and the global spread of the Gospel, where the Church becomes the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 6:19), shining God's glory to every corner of the earth.

1 Chronicles 22 5 Commentary

1 Chronicles 22:5 offers a profound glimpse into David's leadership and spiritual understanding. He clearly grasps two crucial elements: the practical needs of the task and the theological significance of its outcome. David's humility in acknowledging Solomon's inexperience, rather than simply imposing a burden, reflects genuine paternal care and strategic foresight. This personal investment ensures a solid foundation for the colossal undertaking. More significantly, David understood that the Temple's grandeur was not for national pride or earthly prestige, but primarily for God's glory. The scale of its magnificence was a direct testament to the incomparable nature of the Lord. The ambition for its "renown" among "all lands" reveals a divine vision far exceeding Israel's national borders; it was to be a beacon of God's majesty to the Gentile world, serving as a silent, yet powerful, witness to the One True God. This foresees the New Testament call to be light and salt to all nations.