David’s final act before death was not a battle. It was a blueprint. First Chronicles 22 records the aging king gathering iron, bronze, and cedar for a temple he would never build, then passing the sacred charge to Solomon his son.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

Then David said, This is the house of the Lord God And this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel

David gave orders to gather together the foreigners Who were in the land of Israel and he set masons To cut dressed stones to build God’s house David prepared iron in abundance for the nails

And bronze in abundance without weight And cedar trees without number For the Sidonians and the people of Tyre Brought cedar trees in abundance to David David said, Solomon my son is young and tender

The house that is to be built for the Lord Must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory Throughout all countries I will therefore make preparation for it

So David prepared abundantly before his death Then he called for Solomon his son And commanded him to build a house for the Lord The God of Israel

David said to Solomon his son As for me, it was in my heart to build a house To the name of the Lord my God But the Lord’s word came to me saying You have shed blood abundantly

And have made great wars You shall not build a house to my name Because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight Behold, a son shall be born to you Who shall be a man of peace

I will give him rest from all his enemies all around For his name shall be Solomon And I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days He shall build a house for my name

And he will be my son and I will be his father And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever Now, my son, may the Lord be with you And prosper you and build the house of the Lord your God

The work passed on The blessing given The temple to be built The covenant holds

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1 Chronicles 22 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press