Lesson 18
Yahweh - The Self-Existent One (1 Chronicles 22:19)
“Now Begin the Work, and the Lord Be with You” (1 Chronicles 22:16b)
Read 1 Chronicles 22:1-19, Psalm 30 www.bible.com/bible/59/1ch.22.esv

David set a specific site for worshiping God; a permanent place for Israel’s altar of burnt offering. His son Solomon was too young to plan and build the Temple at this time, and David wanted God’s House to be the very best. King David ordered stone to be cut from the quarries to build God’s Temple, and accumulated many cedar logs and much metal.

David talked to his son Solomon about the sanctuary to honor God. “I desired above everything to build the Temple, but God reminded me I’m a man of war and bloodshed. The Lord wanted His House built by a man of peace – by you, my son. Your name, Solomon, means Peace. God will give you peace and rest and will calm Israel’s enemies during your rule. You will be God’s adopted son, and He will be your Father forever.”

David was gently teaching his son about Yahweh, the Self-Existent One: the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Moses, the God of his father David, and now Solomon’s God. Yahweh is our unchangeable, covenant-keeping, faithful God, filled with loving-kindness, compassion and grace. Our Yahweh is forgiving, slow to anger, and the Truth.

David continued, “God has given you this important job to do, son, and He will be with you. You will build the sanctuary for the Lord. When He makes you King over Israel, He will give you understanding and discernment as you rule obediently and reverently. As you follow Yahweh and do the things He commanded Moses for Israel, God will make you successful.”

“Take courage, my son!” David reminded Solomon. “See all the building supplies I have stockpiled for the Sanctuary of the Lord: gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber and stone. And there are many prepared builders ready to begin working. Nothing is holding you back, so get started. Yahweh is with you!”

Next, King David ordered all the leaders in Israel to help Solomon with the huge task of building the Temple. He reminded them Yahweh was with them, as manifested by the peace they were enjoying. David had subdued Israel’s enemies for God’s people Israel, now Israel’s part was to pray fervently, giving themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord. He admonished them to start building the sacred house of worship for Yahweh immediately. Then they could bring the Chest of the Covenant of God and the other holy furnishing needed for worship into the sanctuary which had been especially built to honor Yahweh, the Self-Existent One.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*Why did David make extensive preparations for God’s house? (1 Chronicles 22:5)
*What kind of preparations are you making for your physical and/or spiritual children?
*What are you teaching them about Yahweh, the Self-Existent One, through your words and example?
*Do you see a connection between the desire of David’s heart for his son Solomon regarding discretion and understanding (1 Chronicles 22:12), and King Solomon’s later request for wisdom from God? (2 Chronicles 1:10)
 *What do you learn from this?