Day 147.
Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: 4 3,000 talentst of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house, 5 and for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?”
6 Then the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king’s work.7 They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 daricst of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron.8 And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.t16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. (1 Chron 29:3-18)
When David purposed in his heart to build a temple for the Lord and was told that he shall not, but instead his son will do it, you would think that would have been enough. He could have just let it go. Instead, he dedicates himself to doing all that he can to get everything ready for his son to build. David’s heart was wholly given to the Lord and so his vision and zeal spilled over into this his people. Not only did David prepare all that was necessary in terms of organized laborers and temple service, but he gave of his own wealth as much as he could and more to see the glory of God’s house. And his leadership moved the people to do the same. This is a lesson in leadership in terms of casting a vision for the people that first captivates your own heart.
His prayer too is one that seeks to perpetuate this vision beyond his own departure as he prays in verse 18, “keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.” This should be the prayer of every shepherd, from the pastor to the father, for his people.
