David ended his life well. He set up Solomon to follow him on the throne of Israel. He made provision for the building of the temple. He saw the people submit to Solomon as their next king. This passage reminds us that it is how a person finishes and not how he starts that really counts.

What Does It Say?

1. David declared that he has seen with _________ God’s people, which are present here, to offer ___________ unto God.
2. David charged Solomon to build the __________ for which David has made ___________.
3. Israel commemorated this day by sacrificing a thousand ___________, a thousand _____________, and a thousand _____________.
4. When Solomon sat on the throne of David, all the princes, mighty men, and sons of David, ____________ themselves to Solomon as king.
5. David reigned over Israel for _________ years and of these years he reigned for _______ years in Hebron.

What Does It Mean?

1. David told God that all the store that they had laid aside for the house of the Lord “cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own” (v.16). What did David mean by this statement? Compare this statement with Deuteronomy 8:17-18 [17] And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. [18] But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
   See All.... What lesson is there here for us?
2. Verse 22 states that “they made Solomon the son of David king the second time.” Try to find the first time he was made king [Hint: Check the first verses for several chapters before this one in 1Chronicles]. Why do you think there would be two times for making Solomon king?
3. In referring to the long reign of David, this passage speaks of “the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries” (v.30). This is an interesting phrase. What do you think it means? Consider also how the word times is used in the following verses and make comments: 1 Chronicles 12:32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
   See All...; Job 24:1Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?
   See All...; Psalm 31:15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
   See All...; Isaiah 33:6And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
   See All...; Daniel 4:16Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
   See All...; Acts 17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
   See All....

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. The passage consisting of verses 17 through 19 mentions the heart 5 times. God is the One who “triest the heart” (v.17). David brought his offering “in the uprightness of mine heart” (v.17). David prayed that God would “keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people” and that he would “prepare their heart unto thee” (v.18). Finally, David asked that God would give unto Solomon “a perfect heart” (v.19). Consider these phrases. How would you explain each of them? In what ways do these statements about the heart speak to you?
2. After David installed Solomon as king, “the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel” (v.25). A similar incident occurred in the life of Joshua shortly after Moses died. On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life” (Joshua 4:14On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
   See All...). What was the purpose of this magnifying? Does God still do this today? Why or why not?