King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 28:9 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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

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.

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.

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

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,

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **And thou, Solomon my son.**—The king now turns to his heir, urging a whole-hearted service to his father’s God (1Chronicles 28:9-10). **Know thou.**—Regard thou, have care for (Psalm 1:6). **The God of thy father** might mean the God of *Israel* (comp. 1Chronicles 29:10). But 1Chronicles 28:20, where David speaks of “my God,” suggests the simpler meaning, God of David, here. (Comp. Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:6; Psalm 18:22; also Genesis 31:29; Genesis 31:42.) **With a perfect heart.**—The word *shālēm* means *whole, sound, unimpaired;* the Latin *integer.* Hence, what is urged is an undivided allegiance, such as is enjoined by the Decalogue. (Comp. 1Chronicles 29:9; 1Chronicles 29:19; 1Kings 8:61.) **A willing mind.**—For service is not real unless it be voluntary, and so glad as well as free. **For the Lord searcheth all hearts.**—Search, *i.e., seek* (1Chronicles 28:8 and below). For the thought, comp. Psalm 139:1-4; Psalm 139:23; 1Samuel 16:7; Psalm 94:9; Acts 1:24; Hebrews 4:13. The Searcher of hearts will at once see through an insincere and half-hearted obedience. **And understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.**—And *every fashioning* (*yē*ç*er,* *εἶδος*, Bild) or *cast of thoughts he discerneth* (Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21). **If thou seek him.**—Deuteronomy 4:29. Seeking Jehovah in earnest always results in finding (Isaiah 55:6). Yet the Divine grace is not *restricted* even by this condition (Isaiah 65:1). **If thou forsake him.**—Deliberately and of set purpose, as choosing to live by other laws than His. **He will cast thee off.**—A strong word (*hizniah*)*,* meaning strictly, *to reject as noisome or foul-smelling.* (Comp. Hosea 8:3; Hosea 8:5.) The verbal form *hiphil* is peculiar to Chronicles. (See 2Chronicles 11:14; 2Chronicles 29:19.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.