The Book of 1 Chronicles

Word Study

"know," Hebrew yada (יָדַע), to know intimately, by experience and relationship, not mere information. David's charge begins with the deepest thing: "know thou (yada) the God of thy father." This is not to know about God but to know Him personally, in living relationship. From that knowing flows the call to "serve him with a perfect heart (lev shalem, a whole, undivided heart) and with a willing mind (nefesh chafetsah, a delighting, ready soul)." God is not served rightly by outward form but by a heart wholly His and a will that delights to obey. And David gives the searching reason: "the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts." God sees past the deed to the heart behind it; nothing is hidden from Him. Then the two great alternatives: "if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." This is the pivot of every life. God is findable, He rewards those who seek Him, yet He is not to be trifled with, for to forsake Him is to be cast off. The charge ends with the call to the task: "the LORD hath chosen thee... be strong, and do it." Know God, serve Him wholly, seek Him always, and do the work He has given.

Explanation

David's most important charge to Solomon is to know God personally and serve Him wholeheartedly and willingly. He warns that God sees everything, even the thoughts and motives of the heart, so mere outward religion will not do. He sets before Solomon the two paths plainly: seek God and you will find Him, but forsake Him and He will cast you off forever. Then he points Solomon to his God-given task, building the temple, and urges him to be strong and get on with it. Everything begins with knowing and seeking God; the great work follows from a heart that is truly His.

Gospel Focus

"Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart... if thou seek him, he will be found of thee" is one of the great charges of Scripture, and it is the heart of the gospel call. Above all else, we are made to know God, and eternal life itself is defined as knowing Him: "this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). Notice it is the one true God we are to know, and we know Him in Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells. God searches every heart, so He is not deceived by outward show; He seeks those who serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, worshipping "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). And the promise is sure: "ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13); "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8). But the warning is just as real: to forsake Him is to be cast off. The gospel holds out both: the God who searches all hearts is findable by all who seek Him through Christ, and lost to all who turn from Him. Do not settle for knowing about God; know Him, seek Him with all your heart, serve Him wholly, and you will surely find Him, for He has come near to us in Jesus.

Word Study

"pattern," Hebrew tabnith (תַּבְנִית), a plan, model, blueprint. David explains that the whole design of the temple was not his own invention: "the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern (tabnith)." As Moses was shown the pattern of the tabernacle on the mount (Exodus 25:40), so David received the pattern of the temple from God; the house of God is built to God's design, not man's.

"he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee," lo' yarpekha welo' ya'azvekha. Then David sends Solomon to the work with words that echo through Scripture: "Be strong and of good courage... fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work." This is the same charge and promise God gave Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5-9). The ground of courage is not Solomon's ability but God's presence: "the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee." And the promise reaches to completion: God will not fail nor forsake him "until thou hast finished all the work." The God who calls to a task pledges His presence to see it through. Note the tender "even my God", David commends to his son the very God who had been faithful to him through every trial of his life.

Explanation

David tells Solomon that the entire plan for the temple came from God, given to David in writing by God's hand upon him, just as Moses received the pattern for the tabernacle. So the temple was to be built exactly to God's design. Then David encourages his son for the great task ahead: be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD God, David's own God, would be with him and would neither fail nor abandon him until the whole work was finished. David grounds Solomon's confidence not in his own strength but in the faithful presence of God, who would see the work through to completion.

Gospel Focus

"He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work" is a promise that has strengthened God's servants in every generation. It was spoken to Joshua, echoed to Solomon here, and the New Testament claims it for every believer: "he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper" (Hebrews 13:5-6). The ground of all Christian courage is the abiding presence of God, and supremely the promise of Jesus, "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). Notice that God pledges His presence "until thou hast finished all the work"; He does not begin and abandon, for "he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). The God who calls you to a task will supply His presence to complete it. And that the temple was built to a God-given "pattern" reminds us that God's work must be done God's way, and that the earthly house pointed to the true temple, Christ and His people, built according to the eternal plan of God. Take David's charge as your own: be strong, do not fear, and get on with the work God has given you, for the LORD your God will be with you and will not fail you until it is done.