It is one thing to speak approvingly of the need for leadership succession; it is another to be the leader who must hand over power, and to do so gladly, expressing full support for one’s successor. That is what David does in today’s text.

David addresses Israel’s leaders and tells them God has chosen Solomon to succeed him as king (1 Chronicles 28:1–8). He then gives the plans for the temple, which he received from God, to Solomon (vv. 11–19). Both God and the people, he reassures his son, are committed to building the temple (vv. 20–21).

The entire nation gathers (29:1), and David acknowledges Solomon’s youth and inexperience. In doing so, he urges the people to support Solomon in building the Lord’s temple. He tells them that he has committed his wealth to this project and challenges them to do the same: Who is willing to follow his example (vv. 2–5)? As the leaders respond generously, both king and people rejoice together (vv. 6–9).

David gathers up the rejoicing in a long prayer. It is God who has made this day possible (vv. 10–13); David and Israel have done no more than give back to God what God has first given them (vv. 14, 16). Indeed, king and people are nothing without God. David describes them as “foreigners and strangers” passing their days “like a shadow, without hope” (v. 15). This may sound strange coming from a king who has done more than any of Israel’s previous leaders to strengthen their hold on the land, but these words reflect a clear belief that Israel’s only security is in God.

That is surely the right perspective for Solomon to have as he embarks on a reign which will become a high point in Israel’s history. David prays that the people’s and Solomon’s hearts may remain true and loyal to God (vv. 17–19). With these words ringing in their ears, the people offer sacrifices, celebrate, and acknowledge Solomon as king “a second time” (vv. 21–25; see also 23:1). A brief summary of David’s reign ends this section of Chronicles (vv. 26–30).

Many parts of today’s text would have spoken to the Chronicler’s contemporaries. David’s emphasis on Judah’s place in God’s purposes (“He chose Judah as leader”, 28:4) and his confidence that God fully supported the building of the temple (v. 20) would have encouraged the post exilic community: many of them were from the tribe of Judah, and worship in the rebuilt temple was central to their life back in the land.

David’s comparison of Israel to “foreigners and strangers” (29:15) would also have resonated with the Israelites who lived after the Babylonian exile. They would have known that enjoyment of the blessings of the land was dependent on faithful obedience (28:8); that God’s favour could not simply be presumed upon. Finally, David’s prayer, with its celebration of God’s power and majesty, would have encouraged them to pray that they might see God’s hand at work in their own day.

See also 1 Kings 1:1–2:12.