(3) David’s charge to Solomon (22:6-16)

After he provides material and human support for this project, David gives a charge to Solomon that is reminiscent of Moses' mandate to Joshua (Dt 31-Jos).

God ordained David’s peaceful son to construct the temple (22:6-10). God will be the Father of this son and establish his throne forever. It seems incorrect to assume that the act of war itself disqualified David from this act of devotion. Military victory is a gift from God to an obedient king. So why should this rule out David as builder? Perhaps the stain of enemy blood made David unclean. Perhaps David, due to the time spent in battles, was unable to devote adequate attention to this project. The wordplay on “peace” expresses the necessity for national rest for the monarch to devote energies to building projects (v.9).

David assures Solomon that the Lord will enable him to build and to govern (vv.11-13). Solomon returns to the second theme at his coronation when he prays for divine guidance. David modifies the unconditional nature of the dynastic promise by emphasizing that success comes through obedience to the divine laws revealed to Moses.

David outlines the wealth provided for the project. He has also recruited craftsmen. In light of this Davidic and divine support, the king exhorts the people to get to work (vv.14-16).