A<\/span>fter David sinfully takes a census of Israel (1 Chronicles 21), the threshing site where he builds the altar that arrests the plague becomes the temple site (1 Chronicles 22:1). David begins preparations for the temple.<\/p>\n First, he gathers the \u201cstrangers\u201d (Heb. ger<\/em>), non-Israelite residents of the land or from territories David has conquered, and puts them to work hewing stone (22:2; cf. 8:29\u201340). He mines iron for nails and clamps, and smelts so much bronze that it cannot be measured (22:3). Cedar timber, also beyond calculation, comes down from Tyre and Sidon (22:4). <\/p>\n The materials are listed in an order that moves in from the exterior to the interior of the temple. The exterior walls are stone; the metals are explicitly said to be for \u201cgates\u201d; and cedar panels the interior walls. The list is also arranged by increasing value, or increasing sanctity, an order reversed later in the passage (22:14, with gold and silver added).<\/p>\n When Moses built the tabernacle, he raised a contribution from Israel (Exodus 25:1\u20138). Much of that treasure was plundered from Egypt, but it was donated by Israelite plunderers. Solomon\u2019s temple is different. We aren\u2019t told where the metals come from, but the stone and timber are prepared or donated by Gentiles. Gentiles have a more direct, voluntary role in building Solomon\u2019s temple than they had in building the tabernacle. Yahweh\u2019s house is made out of resources from the nations and made by the nations.<\/p>\n