1 Chronicles 22


1 Chronicles 22 is the twenty-two chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE. This chapter records David's preparation to build the temple, consisting of three parts: David's preparations for the temple's construction ; David's speech to Solomon ; David's speech to Israel's rulers. The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David, which from this chapter to the end does not have parallel in 2 Samuel.

Text

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is divided into 19 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex, and Codex Leningradensis.
Extant manuscripts of a Koine Greek translation known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE, include Codex Vaticanus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Marchalianus.

Preparations for the temple (22:1–5)

This section records the material and spiritual preparations for the construction of the temple which David wish to be famous and glorified throughout all the lands, because the quality of the palace-temple complex projects the power of a nation, its god, and its king to other nations, gods, vassals, or foreign emissaries. The Chronicler is very particular in providing explanation how the temple site was selected.

Verse 1

The verse becomes the climax of the preceding and subsequent sections in that the future site of YHWH's temple is gloriously announced, regarded 'synonymous' with the desert tabernacle, the high place at Gibeon or 'all legitimate cultic sites and buildings that play an important part in Israel's history'. The selection of the site is very important for the Chronicler, as repeated in 2 Chronicles 3:1. The language is very similar to Genesis 28:17, pertaining to the construction of the holy site at Bethel.

Verse 4

  • "Without number" or "in abundance" is translated from Hebrew: לאין מספר lə-,, also meaning "beyond measure".
  • "The Sidonians and Tyrians": were mentioned as those who brought cedar wood, a reminiscent of King Hiram I, in parallel with Ezra 3:7 that the Sidonians and Tyrians were also providing timber for the second temple.

    Verse 5

  • "Solomon": of David's numerous sons is one of the youngest.
  • "Young and tender": Solomon was regarded by David in a similar manner to Solomon's own admission while in prayer at Gibeon, especially about Solomon's youth and inexperience, which is considered as a literary theme, not a pointer to his actual age, nor to his ability to rule the nation, but particularly to his capability in building the temple. Therefore, David took the responsibility to prepare the construction.

    Solomon anointed to build the temple (22:6–19)

The section contains two speeches by David, the first one to Solomon and the second to the leaders of Israel. The speech to Solomon parallels David's final decrees in 1 Kings 2 and quotes the dynastic promise in 1 Chronicles 17, with the explanation why David was not permitted to build the temple. Only David's call to 'abide by the law and act courageously' is transmitted here. The relationship between David and Solomon in the Chronicles resembles that of Moses and Joshua. The encouragement given by David to Solomon for the forthcoming work, forecasting success if he faithfully follows God and confirms God's presence resembles the message in Joshua 1 regarding Joshua's succession to Moses.

Verse 8

Nathan's prophecy in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17 does not provide the explanation why David was not allowed to build the temple. In Solomon stated that David was impeded from carrying out his plan, because of his long warfare with the surrounding nations. In the Chronicles, the statement is transformed to a greater principle, that is, because David as a warrior had shed much blood, he was forbidden to build the temple. The reason is simply to exclude the blemish of bloodshed from the temple's construction.

Verse 9

Using wordplay, "Solomon" was to be given "peace", and, as a "man of rest", was to be given "rest", so he could build the temple.
This was to fulfill the precondition in that the sacrificial services could take place when Israel had "rest" from its enemies.