1 Chronicles 29

The end of David's reign drew near. He had given a solemn charge to his son and to the leaders of Israel looking forward to the great project ahead of them, the building of the Lord's temple. Above all, the king called Solomon and the other leaders to a life of obedience to God's commandments.

The king frankly admitted to the assembled leaders that Solomon was young and inexperienced. He would need help from God and men. David had done what he could for this great project of building a house for the Lord God. Now he called on others to give of themselves and of their substance. They were to give willingly and not out of compulsion. This was their opportunity to consecrate themselves to the service of the Lord.

The good response of the leaders was cause for much rejoicing. They celebrated together, but not as a matter of self-congratulation for their generosity. They knew that the Lord had done it all. They rejoiced in Him. They said something that people have said for centuries since: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty.”

The kingdom of Israel was God's kingdom. The One who made the heavens and the earth was the worthy recipient of all the praise of His people. He was the Ruler over all. The people were delighted to give thanks to God.

David and the men who were with him understood that their mortal lives on this earth were brief. They knew that anything of lasting worth came from God. Whether the people brought abundant riches or gave the unusual uprightness of excellent character to the Lord, God was the Source of these good gifts. They thanked Him and gave Him praise. Jerusalem rang with the joy of honest worship.

Before long, Solomon sat on his father's throne and David had lived to see the day. Soon after that great moment, David's time on earth came to an end. He had his forty years of strife and victory. He died at a good old age and Solomon reigned in his place.

It would not have been right for the people to worship David or to gather in assembly to give praise to Solomon. David and Solomon were great men, but they were not gods. They humbled themselves before the Almighty. The greatest leader of the Jews would be different from David or Solomon. He would be fully man and fully God. He was willing to receive the worship of His disciples. If the children had not cried out “Hosanna” to Him, the very stones on the streets would have declared His praise. In His divine nature, Jesus was not young and inexperienced. He did not need to ask others for gold and silver in order to accomplish His mission. He is God above all and our great King forever.