1 Chronicles 28-29: The Task is Great

Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain. - Ps. 127-1 NIV1

David knew this.  He learned this lesson when God told him that he would not be building the temple as he wanted. God gave the plans for the temple to David.  But instead of David,  it would be his son Solomon who would build the temple.  As the day of his death draws closer, David summoned all the officials from Israel to tell them of the building of the temple.  He explained why he would not be the one overseeing the building and committed his son Solomon to them.  'He is young and inexperienced,'  he told them, 'and the task is great for this building is for God, not for man.  I am providing all the resources needed to build the temple.  Now who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord?'

The people of Israel rose to David's challenge and gave gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones to be used in building the temple.  Then David prayed this prayer in the presence of the entire assembly.

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." - 1 Chron. 29:14 NIV

The Psalmist, who writes about the Lord built house above, is not king David.  It is his son, Solomon who wrote those words.  The one who was in charge of the building of the temple of God.  One who was wise enough to know that God was the one building his own house.