Along with the entire nation of military-age men who would be mobilized immediately upon need, King David maintained a standing army of 12 divisions of 24,000 men.
"This is the list of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers' houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering twenty-four thousand" (1 Chronicles 27:1 RSV)Israel's army was to be a force for national defense, not a tool for any man's lustful aggression toward other nations (see Landmark). David only once began to misuse Israel's (not David's) army for such a Satanic purpose, but The Lord prevented it (see notes for 1 Chronicles 21 at 1 Chronicles 19-23).
"David did not number those below twenty years of age, for The Lord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but did not finish; yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David." (1 Chronicles 27:23-24 RSV)The United Kingdom of Israel was a peaceful, prosperous, orderly society in which freedom was tempered with obligation; without personal responsibility, "freedom" becomes nothing more than a "law of the jungle" anarchy in which no one is truly free.
"Over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the she-asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were stewards of King David's property.1 Chronicles Chapter 28
Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe; he and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons. Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army." (1 Chronicles 27:25-34 RSV)
The Lord told David that a Temple would be built, but it would be David's son Solomon who would complete the construction. Why? "God said to me, 'You may not build a house for My Name, for you are a warrior and have shed blood ... He said to me, 'It is Solomon your son who shall build My House and My courts [see Court], for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father." (1 Chronicles 28:3,6 RSV).
David was nevertheless given the important task of making the necessary
preparations for Solomon. Was David acting on his own? Was it David's
design? No. The Lord told David exactly what to do i.e. "All this he
made clear by the writing from the hand of The Lord concerning it, all
the work to be done according to the plan." (1 Chronicles 28:19 RSV)."Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers [see Layout Of Solomon's Temple], and of the room for the mercy seat [see Christ's Mercy Seat]; and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of The Lord, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; for the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, and all the work of the service in the house of The Lord; for all the vessels for the service in the house of The Lord, the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, the weight of the golden lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand in the service, the weight of gold for each table for the showbread, the silver for the silver tables, and pure gold for the forks, the basins, and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered The Ark Of The Covenant of The Lord." (1 Chronicles 28:11-18 RSV)1 Chronicles Chapter 29
David and Solomon were shining examples of Royal Democracy; both had the support and consent of the majority of the people, just as Jesus Christ will have by His people (i.e. The Elect who "vote" to repent and obey Him; see When Will You Be Judged?) when "Israel" is fulfilled by the Kingdom of God on earth (see Israelite Monarchy - The Messiah).
"Then the heads of fathers' houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king's work. They gave for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and a hundred thousand talents of iron. And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of The Lord, in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to The Lord; David the king also rejoiced greatly." (1 Chronicles 29:6-9 RSV)David then gave thanks in prayer, humbly acknowledging "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all."
"Therefore David blessed The Lord in the presence of all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou rulest over all. In Thy hand are power and might; and in Thy hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank Thee, our God, and praise Thy glorious Name." (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 RSV)Solomon was then proclaimed king (see Solomon's Kingdom).
"Then Solomon sat on the throne of The Lord as king instead of David his father; and he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him." (1 Chronicles 29:23 RSV)David then died, after a long life of service to The Lord.
"Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron [see David's Capital During The Civil War], and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Then he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer [see notes for 1 and 2 Samuel beginning at Ruth 4, 1 Samuel 1-2 and 1 Samuel 29-31, 2 Samuel 1-2], and in the Chronicles of Nathan The Prophet, and in the Chronicles of Gad the seer, with accounts of all his rule and his might and of the circumstances that came upon him and upon Israel, and upon all the kingdoms of the countries." (1 Chronicles 29:26-30 RSV)
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