King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 22:5 Mean?

1 Chronicles 22:5 in the King James Version says “And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding m...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.”

1 Chronicles 22:5 · KJV

Context

3

And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

4

Also cedar trees in abundance : for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

5

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

6

Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

7

And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:

Read 1 Chronicles 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on Temple preparations - David's charge to Solomon. The Hebrew term בַּיִת (bayit) - house/temple is theologically significant here, pointing to Worship center as focus of covenant community. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about Worship center as focus of covenant community. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Christ as true temple and church as His body.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of Temple preparations - David's charge to Solomon occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on Worship center as focus of covenant community challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Christ as true temple and church as His body teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 23

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֛יד2 of 23

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה3 of 23

“Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

בְנִי֮4 of 23

“my son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נַ֣עַר5 of 23

“is young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וָרָךְ֒6 of 23

“and tender”

H7390

tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak

וְהַבַּ֜יִת7 of 23

“and the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לִבְנ֣וֹת8 of 23

“that is to be builded”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לַֽיהוָ֗ה9 of 23

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְהַגְדִּ֨יל׀10 of 23

“magnifical”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

לְמַ֜עְלָה11 of 23

“must be exceeding”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

לְשֵׁ֤ם12 of 23

“of fame”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וּלְתִפְאֶ֙רֶת֙13 of 23

“and of glory”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

לְכָל14 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָ֣אֲרָצ֔וֹת15 of 23

“throughout all countries”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיָּ֧כֶן16 of 23

“I will therefore now make preparation”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

נָּ֖א17 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

ל֑וֹ18 of 23
H0
וַיָּ֧כֶן19 of 23

“I will therefore now make preparation”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

דָּוִ֛יד20 of 23

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לָרֹ֖ב21 of 23

“abundantly”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

לִפְנֵ֥י22 of 23

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מוֹתֽוֹ׃23 of 23

“his death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 22:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 22:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 3:71 Chronicles 29:1John 3:30John 13:12 Chronicles 7:212 Peter 1:13-15

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