The other day I ran across one of my old 2010 journals. While reading some of the things I wrote, my eye caught a particular journal entry. It was an entry for the month of August 2010. In that month of the August journal entry, I wrote about David and his son Solomon, a passage in the Bible from I Chronicles chapters 22 and 28.

I was encouraged to share this journal entry from 2010 with my readers at this specific time. To describe what I was hearing in my spirit, I first must give a quick overview of what was going on in chapter 28. During that time, David had called a meeting with all of the most important people in Israel. David then stood up and made an announcement to the people that he had wanted to build a house of rest for the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, and he had begun to make plans to start building this mighty temple.

But then he told the people that God told him that he could not build this temple due to the fact that David was a man of war and has shed blood abundantly. The Lord had chosen Solomon to build the house, because he was a man of rest, and God would give Solomon peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. In other words, God wanted a man who was willing to take a step back and ask God for wisdom on which way to go to build His temple where the Ark of the Covenant would rest. He was a man who wais a quiet diplomat, definitely not afraid to ask God for help.

David quickly recognized and understood the great task that was before Solomon, his son, and that the Lord’s house should be exceedingly magnificent, famous, and glorious throughout all countries.

So what did David do when he was informed by God that He did not pick David to build the temple for Him, but instead had chosen Solomon? David did what most earthly fathers would do. He prepared his son for the great task ahead. David prepared plans for the house, brought materials in from afar, wrote out the blueprints for the building of the temple, and commanded all of the princes of Israel to help Solomon in this mighty project. But most importantly, he encouraged Solomon with his words. In verse 11 of chapter 22, David said these words to Solomon: “Now my son, the Lord be with thee, and prosper thou, and build the house of the Lord thy God, as he hath said of thee.” David spoke words of encouragement and words of faith to his son.

Also, we can see David prophesying words of encouragement to Solomon in chapter 28 verse 20: “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 has finished all of the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” Wow, what a prophecy.

We can learn a lot from David and his son Solomon. David did not get upset and disobey God concerning the building of the Lord’s house when he was told that he was not chosen. Instead, David passed the torch to his son to continue with the plans of the Lord. David stayed in faith and believed that the Lord’s house would be built even after his death. On the other hand, Solomon did not get arrogant and filled with pride when he found out that God had chosen him instead to build the house. Solomon followed his father’s plans and preparations for the temple. Solomon was also taught by David to seek the Lord, and we can all see that Solomon was a blessed man because he heeded his father’s teachings.

Think about it: David was chosen to prepare the house of the Lord, and Solomon was chosen to build the house of the Lord. Sometimes God will choose individuals to prepare something such as a ministry, organization, project, city, or a group of people, and then God will choose individuals to follow the plan that was prepared for them to build it. In other words, Davids may only be allowed to prepare the way for the Solomons, and then the Solomons will come to carry out the plans to build it. We also must keep in mind that they are equally important, and both types are anointed to carry out their specific assignments. Whether you are called to be a David or a Solomon, God will anoint both for their destiny.

Which one are you? Are you a David or a Solomon?

By M. Smith