In the Old Testament, King David decided to build a permanent structure for the Lord God of Israel (2 Samuel 7). The prophet Nathan told David that he would not be the one to construct the temple, but David’s son Solomon would have the honor of completing this project (2 Samuel 7:13 and 14). When God laid out this prophecy to David, he also provided the plans and the provision to go with it.
1 Chronicles 28:10 and 11, “Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. He gives him patterns for the form, and gold and silver for the materials. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat.”
Years later, David is walking through the beginning stages of this prophecy coming to pass and lays out the detailed instruction of the temple’s design for Solomon. God provided the exactitude of the Temple design to David in a similar manner as the tabernacle design was provided for Moses (Exodus 26:30). David received these things by the spirit of God (1 Chronicles 28:12). David said, “…the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern” (1 Chronicles 28:19). While God provided the prophetic word to David from Nathan, God also provided the design directly to David and even the materials to complete the design. David was given everything he needed to walk into the prophecy spoken over him. 1 Chronicles 28:11-19 explains the specific design and the materials for the temple down to exact weights for the various items.
The prophecy, detailed plans on the construction and the materials to complete the project of building the Temple were not all that God provided. God also provided the people to help with a willing heart. In addition to all of these things God provided Solomon personal words of encouragement. The words of encouragement began with David in verse 10, “Be strong, and doit.” The encouragement is further elaborated at the end of the chapter.
1 Chronicles 28:20, “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”
Those of a willing heart that would support the fulfillment of this prophecy are also mentioned.
1 Chronicles 28:21, “And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.”
Our God provides it all to fulfill genuine prophetic words. God gives graciously to His people. In this account David and Solomon beautifully display God’s goodness in this way. Our God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, gave prophecy through Nathan and the instruction to David through the spirit of God that was upon them. God continued with providing the materials, the encouragement and the support from willing participants in the work. Our God will do the same for us, regardless if we are sitting by still waters or in the eye of a storm. Our God is present and He will fulfill His Word.