1 Chronicles 28:1-10

24. DAVID'S CHARGE TO SOLOMON (1 Chronicles 28:1-10)

TEXT

1 Chronicles 28:1. And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, unto Jerusalem. 2. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building. 3. But God said unto me, -Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.-' 4. Howbeit Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for he hath chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; 5. and of all my sons (for Jehovah hath given me many sons), he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel. 6. And he said unto me, -Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7. -And I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do my commandments and mine ordinances, as at this day.-' 8. Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

9. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah 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 forever. 10. Take heed now; for Jehovah hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 28:1. David now summoned all of his officials to Jerusalemthe political leaders, the commanders of the twelve army divisions, the other army officers, those in charge of his property and livestock and all the other men of authority in his kingdom. 2. He rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows: My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a temple in which the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord could resta place for our God to live in. I have now collected everything that is necessary for the building, 3. but God has told me, -You are not to build my temple, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.-' 4. Nevertheless, the Lord God of Israel has chosen me from among all my father's family to begin a dynasty that will rule Israel forever; he has chosen the tribe of Judah, and from among the families of Judah, my father's family; and from among his sons, the Lord took pleasure in me and has made me king over all Israel. 5. And from among my sonsthe Lord has given me many childrenhe has chosen Solomon to succeed me on the throne of his Kingdom of Israel. 6. He has told me, -Your son Solomon shall build my temple; for I have chosen him as my son and I will be his father. 7. And if he continues to obey my commandments and instructions as he has until now, I will make his kingdom last forever.-' 8. Then David turned to Solomon and said: Here before the leaders of Israel, the people of God, and in the sight of our God, I am instructing you to search out every commandment of the Lord so that you may continue to rule this good land and leave it to your children to rule forever.

9. Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will permanently throw you aside. 10. So be very careful, for the Lord has chosen you to build his holy temple. Be strong and do as he commands.

COMMENTARY

All that has gone before has been but prelude for this grand occasion. David's remaining days were numbered. In a formal way he must charge Solomon with the awful burden of building Jehovah's house and ruling as king of Israel. Everybody who had any responsible position in the life and government of Israel was called to the capital city for this memorable occasion. Princes, captains, rulers, officers, military heroes, along with common people assembled to hear King David. The king summoned all his energies so he could stand up and speak with enough volume to be heard. He addressed the hearers as brethren and as my people. Once more he recalled his intention to build God's house. He reminded all of the leaders of Israel how Jehovah had chosen his tribe, his family, himself, and now, his son, Solomon for kingship. David clearly stated that Jehovah had named Solomon to succeed him as king and to be the one who would build Jehovah's house and courts. Solomon's kingdom was to be established forever, provided he was obedient to the Lord. David's charge to Solomon and the entire assembly was that they should learn Jehovah's will and practice it. His charge reminds one of Joshua's word to the twelve tribes when he said possess this good land. Enjoy its blessings and leave it for your children after you.
Specifically, David charged Solomon to come to know God. Let God be real to you. Be intimately acquainted with Him. The perfect heart would let Jehovah lead and would think God's thoughts after Him. The willing mind is the steadfast purpose to do God's will God's way. David reminded his son that he would have to answer the searcher of hearts. If you seek Him, you will find Him. If you forsake Him, He will abandon you. Solomon stood alone in that moment before Jehovah as the one man charged to build and to lead.