Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Chronicles 28

The story of Solomon's coronation continues from 1 Chronicles 23:1–2. David, at the height of his power, transfers authority to Solomon (compare 1 Kings 1:1–2:9).

This gathering includes all the officials of Israel named in the earlier chapters.

David's first speech includes a message to his people (1 Chronicles 28:2–8) and a message to Solomon (28:9–10). The main focus is David's wish for Solomon to build a temple. David also discusses two other important themes: God's choice of Solomon and the people's duty to follow God's commandments.

David described the temple as a place where the ark of the Lord’s covenant could rest. The word "rest" signifies the conquest of the land and the establishment of peace (for example, Deuteronomy 12:9). In the wilderness, the ark rested after battles (Numbers 10:35–36). When David brought the ark to Jerusalem, its "rest" became permanent. David expressed this in a psalm of worship: Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength (Psalm 132:8). God chose Mount Zion as his resting place.

the LORD...chose me...to be king over Israel forever: God's selection of David started with Judah (Genesis 49:8–12), reached its peak with David (1 Samuel 16:1–13), and continued with Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:5–6, 10). All later kings ruled because of God's promise to David.

David's message to Solomon focused on the responsibilities of becoming king, not the privileges. Solomon's main duty was to seek, worship, and serve the Lord. The Lord also demanded a strong commitment to building the temple sanctuary.

God gave David the plans for the temple through divine inspiration (1 Chronicles 28:19). God also provided plans for the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 25:9) and for Ezekiel's future temple (Ezekiel 40:4).

This list of vessels validated each item in the temple by detailing what God had told David about them.

for the chariot of the gold cherubim: The cherubim were images of creatures often found with thrones and palaces. Ancient kings sat on thrones with cherubim. In God's throne room, the most holy place of Israel's sanctuary, cherubim on top of the ark of the covenant served a similar role (see Exodus 25:18–22; 2 Samuel 6:2; Psalm 99:1; compare Ezekiel 10).