1 Chronicles 28:16, commentary and pictures

The verse assigns a measured weight of gold for each table of shewbread, the bread of the Presence, and silver for the silver tables, showing that the furnishings of the temple and their materials were carefully provided and prepared. This specification belonged to the detailed, written, divinely revealed pattern and plan for the house of the Lord and its furnishings. That pattern was given by God, even Christ, to David for the temple that Solomon was to build. David made extensive provisions of materials for the temple, but while he could advise and encourage his son, Solomon himself was to carry out the work of building. Only the most skillful men of design and art were allowed to have anything to do with the work.

Every stone was prepared to exactly fill its place before being brought to the temple, so that it came together without the sound of an axe or a hammer. There is no such building to be found in the world for beauty, richness and splendor. Solomon was entrusted with minute specifications in writing regarding every portion of the temple on Mount Moriah. The sacred structure was to be built with exactness by consecrated helpers given special skill by God in answer to faith, an opportunity Solomon lost sight of when he sent to Tyre for a master workman. The materials for the furnishings, including the tables for the showbread with their specified amounts of gold and silver by weight according to divinely given plans, were prepared through the Lord's blessing.

So the temple's splendor belonged to God's provision and was meant to honor Him, not Solomon. The temple at Jerusalem was built in accordance with special directions from God, who gives wisdom to all engaged in His service and who from the very beginning has been particular as to the design and the accomplishment of His work. The same particularity governs His work now, for He has given much light and instruction for carrying it forward on an elevated, refined, ennobling basis. He is displeased with those who in their service do not carry out His design, and He will separate such men from His cause and prove others in their place, who if self-sufficient will in turn be replaced by still other laborers. The chapter containing the verse is of importance to all of God's people living in this age, showing that in the business God desires men of His appointment to carry on for the safety and prosperity of His kingdom, the Lord does not link together scattered elements that have not had a genuine experience and that give no promise of developing dependable characters to bear responsibilities in molding and fashioning a nation to do a most solemn, sacred service for God, consistent with the uplifted, purified state of a people who represent Him.