The Tanakh Podcast

In this chapter, Solomon travels to Gibeon to bring sacrifices there.What is Gibeon? Why is Solomon sacrificing there?How does this play a role in Solomon's life? In the story of the Temple?

With this chapter Solomon is crowned and David dies.The final lines that we hear from David are incorporated into our prayer book. It is a chapter that talks about the participation of the nation, about the motivations of the heart, and about God's greatness.

This is the account of 1. Shelomo's accession to the throne2. The transmission of the Temple project from David to Shelomo

This chapter moves on from the Temple and itemizes four areas of David's national infrastructure:1. The army reserves2. Tribal leaders3. Stewards of the king4. David's Cabinet and Advisory

Our chapter continues to delineate the roles of the Levites. Three roles are described:1. Guards and gatekeepers2. Treasurers and Officials responsible for the storehouses3. Magistrates and Law Enforcement (Police)We shall discuss the need for guards and gatekeepers in the Temple.

In our chapter, Kind David organizes the musical guilds of the Levites, yet again dividing them into 24 groups. We hear names familiar from Tehillim - Heman, Yedutoun and Assaf. But we will focus on the verb nb"a or נב"א which seems to be indicative of prophecy, and yet, here expresses music. What is the relationship between music and prophecy?

In this chapter we see a list of the twenty-four "orders" or guilds, our "houses" of the priesthood.What were these groups? How did this division into priestly sub-groups work?

In Chapter 23 David takes a census of the Levites and assigns them to one of four divisions:1. Management and supervision of the Construction of the Temple2. Shoftim and Shotrim - Law (and order)3. Gatekeepers4. Song and musicWe also read about Moshe's sons and grabdchildren for the first time in Tanakh! And this is where we meet Rechavia

David passes the baton to Solomon and instructs him to build the Mikdash. In this chapter we hear David instructing Solomon what his priorities should be.

In this sweeping story of sin, atonement, sacrifice and atonement, the site of the Temple will be discovered and purchased by David Hamelech.See also our commentary to Shmuel Bet ch,24