1 Chronicles 23 - 29

King David shared his feelings with Nathan the prophet -

"...I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 17:1)

David recognized the Lord had -

"...not dwelt in an house since the day that[He] brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 17:5)

He desired greatly to build a House of the Lord as he told the people -

"...I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:2 - 3)

And to Solomon before all his people, David says -

"...Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:9 - 10)

David had been preparing for many years and making ready for the building of the temple. He even

"...gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:11 - 12)

Even to the vessels and instruments and so forth. David then testifies -

"...the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 28:19)

But what really impressed me was when David asked -

"...And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?" (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 29:5)

"Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,
7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 29:6 - 7)

The true blessing of sacrifice is manifest as -

"...the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD..." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 29:9)