WHOLEHEARTED DEVOTION AND A WILLING MIND

Passage: 1 Chronicles 28:1-10

Key verse: 9

NIV

David’s Plans for the Temple

28 David summoned(A) all the officials(B) of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the warriors and all the brave fighting men.

2 King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my fellow Israelites, my people. I had it in my heart(C) to build a house as a place of rest(D) for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool(E) of our God, and I made plans to build it.(F) 3 But God said to me,(G) ‘You are not to build a house for my Name,(H) because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’(I)

4 “Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me(J) from my whole family(K) to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah(L) as leader, and from the tribe of Judah he chose my family, and from my father’s sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.(M) 5 Of all my sons—and the Lord has given me many(N)—he has chosen my son Solomon(O) to sit on the throne(P) of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 He said to me: ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build(Q) my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son,(R) and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws,(S) as is being done at this time.’

8 “So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel(T) and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands(U) of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.(V)

9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion(W) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart(X) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,(Y) he will be found by you; but if you forsake(Z) him, he will reject(AA) you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

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ESV

David's Charge to Israel

28 (A)David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the (B)officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the (C)commanders of thousands, the commanders of hundreds, the (D)stewards of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the (E)mighty men and all the seasoned warriors. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. (F)I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the (G)footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. 3 But God said to me, (H)‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ 4 Yet the Lord God of Israel (I)chose me from all my father's house to be king over Israel (J)forever. (K)For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father's (L)house, and among my father's sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 And of (M)all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he (N)has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘It is (O)Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom (P)forever (Q)if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ 8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

David's Charge to Solomon

9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a (R)whole heart and with a willing mind, (S)for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. (T)If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; (U)be strong and do it.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. David's charge for all Israel (1-8)

King David assembled all the leaders and stewards mentioned in chapter 27. Solomon needed their full support to build the temple and maintain stability in the kingdom. They were reminded that the LORD did not allow David to build the temple. They were also reminded that God established David as king and Solomon his successor. God had done all this. In response, they were to follow all of the LORD's commands, for their sake and their descendants.

2. David's charge to Solomon (9-1

)

God gave Solomon the unique task of building the temple. But David's charge to Solomon is universally applicable. He encouraged Solomon to wholeheartedly and willingly serve God. The LORD knows all our desires and inmost thoughts. Those who seek God will have a relationship with him, but those who forsake God will be rejected.

Prayer: LORD God, give me a pure heart, mind, and motive so that I may serve you and please you.

One Word: Willingness and devotion to God