1 Chronicles 22

Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death. v.5

Read chapter 22
I love the contrast between the description of Solomon and the description of the house of the Lord: young and inexperienced vs. exceedingly magnificent, famous, glorious.  Yet what better pairing of the two, for Solomon to build the most visited, beyond beautiful place.  As God says in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that He chooses the foolish things of the world (like young and inexperienced) to shame the wise (by extraordinary and grandeur things).  God chose to have Solomon build the house for the Lord instead of David.  Why?  Because he was a man of much bloodshed and chose his son Solomon instead for in his time would be peace (vv.8-9).  David may not have had the honor to build and see the house of the Lord, but he did get to prepare for it.   We see in verse fourteen that the temple was built many of the spoils from David's wars.  He was setting his son up for success in honoring the Lord.  Of course it was by God's wisdom given to Solomon how to build the house as well as many other things bought or gifts to add to the building.  David prepared abundantly for the honor of God, not himself.  Matthew Henry challenges us well:

"when the Lord refuses to employ us in those services which we desired, we must not be discouraged or idle, but do what we can, though in a humbler sphere."

What are you doing to set others up for success (especially if it is a position you desire)?  When have you seen someone young and inexperienced do mighty things?