King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 28:9 Mean?

1 Chronicles 28:9 in the King James Version says “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: f... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Chronicles 28:9 · KJV


Context

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.

11

Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's charge to Solomon contains profound theological teaching: '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.' The progression knowledge → service → wholehearted devotion reflects covenant relationship. 'Perfect heart' (lev shalem) means undivided loyalty, not sinless perfection. 'Willing mind' (nefesh chafetzah) emphasizes joyful rather than grudging service. The basis is God's omniscience - He searches hearts and knows thoughts (Hebrew: yetzer - inclinations/formations). This anticipates Christ's call to love God with all heart, soul, and mind.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David's public charge before Israel's assembly (c. 971 BCE) established Solomon's reign on proper foundation - personal knowledge of God, not merely administrative skill. This wisdom would serve Solomon well initially, though he later violated these principles through idolatry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing that God searches your heart and knows your thoughts affect your inner life?
  2. What areas of your service to God need to move from duty to 'willing mind' - joyful devotion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה1 of 29
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שְׁלֹמֹֽה2 of 29

And thou Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

בְנִ֡י3 of 29

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

דַּע֩4 of 29

know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶת5 of 29
H853

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

אֱלֹהֵ֨י6 of 29

thou the 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

אָבִ֜יךָ7 of 29

of thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְעָבְדֵ֗הוּ8 of 29

and serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

בְּלֵ֤ב9 of 29

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

שָׁלֵם֙10 of 29

him with a perfect

H8003

complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly

וּבְנֶ֣פֶשׁ11 of 29

mind

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

חֲפֵצָ֔ה12 of 29

and with a willing

H2655

pleased with

כִּ֤י13 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָל14 of 29
H3605

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

לְבָבוֹת֙15 of 29

all hearts

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙16 of 29

if thou seek

H1875

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

יְהוָ֔ה17 of 29

for the LORD

H3068

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

וְכָל18 of 29
H3605

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

יֵ֥צֶר19 of 29

all the imaginations

H3336

a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)

מַֽחֲשָׁב֖וֹת20 of 29

of the thoughts

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

מֵבִ֑ין21 of 29

and understandeth

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

אִֽם22 of 29
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙23 of 29

if thou seek

H1875

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

יִמָּ֣צֵא24 of 29

him he will be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

לָ֔ךְ25 of 29
H0
וְאִם26 of 29
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תַּֽעַזְבֶ֖נּוּ27 of 29

of thee but if thou forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

יַזְנִֽיחֲךָ֥28 of 29

him he will cast thee off

H2186

reject, forsake, fail

לָעַֽד׃29 of 29

for ever

H5703

properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit


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 28:9 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 28:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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