David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”
1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)

Along my life journey, I’ve observed that both politicians and pundits like to connect Presidents with their predecessors. I’ve seen it on both sides. Dan Quayle famously got in trouble by trying to wear the mantel of John Kennedy in a debate with Lloyd Bentsen. I’ve observed that pro-government candidates often reference FDR or have the connection applied to them. Andrew Jackson is mentioned consistently in reference to our current populist candidate. I’m just pointing out that it’s a thing.

In today’s chapter, the Chronicler tells of David passing the plans for the Temple to his son, Solomon, and tasks the crown prince with carrying out the work. There are two fascinating observations on which I meditated in the quiet this morning.

The first observation is that the Chronicler, once again, chooses to present David in an idyllic fashion. It’s a very different retelling than is recorded in the Samuel account. There is no mention of David being infirm and bedridden in his old age. Nor is there any mention of the machinations and intrigue within the Royal family and court concerning succession. He also fails to mention the political rumblings and dissent within the Kingdom. The Chronicler chooses to simply tell of an event at which David clearly communicates that Solomon is his God-ordained successor and the son chosen by God to carry out the plans God had given him for the construction of the Temple.

The second observation is that the Chronicler, much like a modern-day pundit viewing a President as the 2nd coming of one of their predecessors, is silently presenting David to his readers as the 2nd coming of Moses. Moses received the Law and plans for the original traveling tent Temple (called the Tabernacle) from God on Mount Sinai. Moses was not allowed to go into the Promised Land, but gave the task to Joshua with the command to “Be strong and courageous.” Here David claims to have received the plans for the Temple from God. He is not allowed to build the Temple but gives the task to Solomon with the command to “Be strong and courageous.”

The Chronicler is writing roughly 600 years after the events of today’s chapter and 1000 years after Moses. As we near the end of David’s story, I observe that the Chronicler has been very consistent in his treatment of David’s story. Throughout, he has stuck to presenting the most positive aspects of David and his reign. His motivation is to provide his people with the inspiration to see themselves in the same Great Story carrying on the same great task with strength and courage. The truth is that I commonly observe the same thing being done with both the Great Story and general history today.

In the quiet this morning, I find myself reminded of the sage of Ecclesiastes who tells us there’s a time and purpose for everything under heaven. There are times when I need an inspirational reminder of historical people and events. There are also times when I need to be reminded that history is never as idyllic as it is often presented.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.