Do Not Hope in Uncertain Riches

15. (a) In what ways do some people use their riches? (b) How did David desire to use his wealth?

¹⁵ There is no indication that David came from a prominent background or that his family was wealthy. During his kingship, however, David acquired enormous wealth. As you know, many hoard their wealth, greedily seek to increase it, or spend it selfishly. Others use their money to glorify themselves. (Matthew 6:2) David used his wealth differently. He yearned to honor Jehovah. To Nathan, David expressed his desire to build a temple for Jehovah to contain the ark of the covenant, which was then in Jerusalem “dwelling in the middle of tent cloths.” Jehovah was pleased with David’s intentions but told him through Nathan that the building of the temple would fall to David’s son Solomon.​—2 Samuel 7:1, 2, 12, 13.

16. What preparations did David make for the construction of the temple?

¹⁶ David gathered materials to be used in this great construction project. To Solomon, David said: “I have prepared for Jehovah’s house a hundred thousand talents of gold and a million talents of silver, and the copper and the iron there is no means of weighing because they have come to be in such quantity; and timbers and stones I have prepared, but to them you will make additions.” From his personal fortune, he contributed 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of silver.a (1 Chronicles 22:14; 29:3, 4) David’s generous giving was, not an outward show, but a manifestation of faith and devotion to Jehovah God. Recognizing the Source of his riches, he said to Jehovah: “Everything is from you, and out of your own hand we have given to you.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) David’s generous heart moved him to do all he could to promote pure worship.