King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 28:8 Mean?

1 Chronicles 28:8 in the King James Version says “Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.”

1 Chronicles 28:8 · King James Version


Context

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

Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. constant: Heb. strong

8

Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

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 the LORD 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 for ever.

10

Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.


Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
David's solemn charge combines personal and corporate dimensions: 'Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.' Speaking before Israel but 'in the audience of our God' recognizes divine witness to covenant commitments. The dual command - 'keep and seek' (shamru v'dirshu) - requires both obedience and diligent study. The motivation is generational - possessing the land and passing inheritance to children. This teaches that covenant faithfulness has multi-generational consequences, anticipating believers' calling to pass faith to future generations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This public charge (c. 971 BCE) bound the entire nation, not just Solomon, to covenant faithfulness. David's emphasis on land inheritance reflected Israel's land-centered theology, though the New Testament expands this to spiritual inheritance in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How seriously do you take the multi-generational impact of your faithfulness or unfaithfulness?
  2. What spiritual inheritance are you actively preparing to leave for 'children after you' - whether physical or spiritual descendants?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְ֠עַתָּה1 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לְעֵינֵ֨י2 of 24

“Now therefore in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָל3 of 24
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל4 of 24

“of all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

קְהַל5 of 24

“the congregation”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

יְהוָ֣ה6 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבְאָזְנֵ֣י7 of 24

“and in the audience”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם8 of 24

“of our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

שִׁמְר֣וּ9 of 24

“keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

וְדִרְשׁ֔וּ10 of 24

“and seek”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

כָּל11 of 24
H3605

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

מִצְוֹ֖ת12 of 24

“for all the commandments”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

יְהוָ֣ה13 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם14 of 24

“of our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְמַ֤עַן15 of 24
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תִּֽירְשׁוּ֙16 of 24

“that ye may possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת17 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֣רֶץ18 of 24

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַטּוֹבָ֔ה19 of 24

“this good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְהִנְחַלְתֶּ֛ם20 of 24

“and leave it for an inheritance”

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

לִבְנֵיכֶ֥ם21 of 24

“for your children”

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

אַֽחֲרֵיכֶ֖ם22 of 24

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

עַד23 of 24

“you for”

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃24 of 24

“ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


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 28:8 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 28:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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