1 Chronicles 22:12

KJV

Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Only the LORD {H3068} give {H5414} thee wisdom {H7922} and understanding {H998}, and give thee charge {H6680} concerning Israel {H3478}, that thou mayest keep {H8104} the law {H8451} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May ADONAI give you common sense and understanding, and may he give you his orders concerning Isra'el, so that you will observe the Torah of ADONAI your God.

Berean Standard Bible

Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.

American Standard Version

Only Jehovah give thee discretion and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel; that so thou mayest keep the law of Jehovah thy God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 22:12 captures King David's profound charge and fervent prayer for his son Solomon, who was divinely appointed to succeed him and undertake the monumental task of building the Temple. This verse encapsulates David's deepest aspirations for Solomon's reign: that it would be marked by God-given wisdom, discerning understanding, righteous leadership over Israel, and unwavering faithfulness to the Law of the LORD, thereby ensuring the stability and blessing of the kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal chapter detailing David's extensive preparations for the construction of the Temple, a task God had explicitly reserved for Solomon, not David himself, as revealed in [1 Chronicles 22:7-8](/1-chronicles/22-7 "David's Desire to Build the Temple and God's Refusal"). Having amassed vast quantities of materials (gold, silver, iron, bronze, timber, stone) and organized the workforce (1 Chronicles 22:2-5), David now turns his attention to the spiritual and moral qualifications of his successor. Chapter 22 serves as a bridge, moving from David's military conquests and kingdom consolidation to the preparations for the central place of worship. David's charge here is immediately followed by his exhortation to the leaders of Israel to assist Solomon in this sacred endeavor ([1 Chronicles 22:17-19](/1-chronicles/22-17 "David's Charge to Israel's Leaders")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the twilight of David's illustrious reign, as the kingdom of Israel transitions from its founder to his chosen successor, Solomon. This period was crucial for the consolidation of the united monarchy. The building of a permanent Temple in Jerusalem was a monumental undertaking, signifying the establishment of a central place for Israel's worship and God's dwelling among His people, moving beyond the portable tabernacle. In ancient Near Eastern kingship, a monarch's success was often tied to divine favor, and for Israel, this favor was contingent upon adherence to the covenant and the Law of Yahweh. David's emphasis on wisdom and obedience reflects the unique nature of Israelite kingship, where the king was not an absolute ruler but a servant under God's ultimate sovereignty, tasked with upholding the divine law for the nation's well-being, as prescribed in [Deuteronomy 17:18-20](/deuteronomy/17-18 "Instructions for the King's Rule").
* **Key Themes:** Several major theological and narrative themes converge in this verse. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Appointment and Succession** is prominent, as Solomon is clearly designated by God to build the Temple and rule, a continuity of God's covenant promises to David. Secondly, **Divine Wisdom and Understanding** are presented as indispensable for righteous governance. David recognizes that human intellect alone is insufficient for leading God's people and fulfilling His purposes, echoing the later narrative of [Solomon's famous prayer for an understanding heart](/1-kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom") to govern Israel, which God abundantly granted. Thirdly, the verse underscores the immense **Responsibility of Leadership**, highlighting that Solomon's "charge concerning Israel" involves not merely constructing a building but shepherding a nation in justice and righteousness. Finally, and most crucially, the ultimate goal of these divine gifts and responsibilities is **Obedience to God's Law**. For David and throughout Old Testament theology, national blessing, individual success, and the very stability of the covenant relationship were directly tied to faithful adherence to God's commandments, a principle foundational for God's people, as seen in [Joshua 1:8](/joshua/1-8 "Joshua 1:8 - Meditating on the Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, חָכְמָה _chokmah_):** This term refers not merely to intellectual acumen or cunning, but to practical skill, discernment, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively in real-life situations. It encompasses prudence, sound judgment, and the capacity to live skillfully in accordance with God's will. For a king, this meant the ability to govern justly, make wise decisions, and administer the law righteously.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, בִּינָה _binah_):** Often paired with _chokmah_, _binah_ denotes insight, comprehension, and the ability to distinguish between things, to discern truth from error, good from evil. It implies a deep perception and the capacity to grasp the underlying principles of a matter. Together, _chokmah_ and _binah_ represent a comprehensive capacity for sound judgment and righteous governance, gifts that are ultimately from God ([Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - Wisdom from the Lord")).
* **Charge (Hebrew, פְּקֻדָּה _pequddah_):** This word carries the sense of oversight, responsibility, appointment, or visitation. In this context, it refers to the immense duty and divine appointment given to Solomon to rule over Israel. It implies a stewardship, a divine entrustment with the care and well-being of God's chosen people, demanding accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin of true wisdom and understanding. David's prayer acknowledges that these essential qualities for righteous governance are not innate human attributes or acquired solely through education, but are gifts bestowed by God. It underscores Solomon's absolute dependence on divine enablement for his kingly duties.
* **"and give thee charge concerning Israel":** This clause highlights the immense weight of responsibility placed upon Solomon. The "charge concerning Israel" signifies his divine appointment as king and shepherd of God's covenant people. It implies a sacred trust to lead, protect, and administer justice for the nation, ensuring their adherence to God's ways.
* **"that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God":** This final clause articulates the ultimate purpose and condition for the preceding divine gifts and responsibilities. The wisdom, understanding, and charge are given so that Solomon may faithfully obey God's revealed will. It establishes a direct link between divine enablement, righteous leadership, and covenant faithfulness, making obedience to the Law the bedrock upon which the success and blessing of his reign, and indeed the entire nation, would rest.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. It functions primarily as a **Prayer** and a **Paternal Blessing/Charge**, demonstrating David's deep spiritual concern for his son's future reign and the welfare of Israel. The phrase "Only the LORD give thee..." emphasizes the **Divine Source** of all true wisdom and authority, highlighting God's sovereignty over human affairs. The structure of the verse also contains an implicit **Conditional Clause** or **Purpose Clause**, where the granting of wisdom, understanding, and charge is "that thou mayest keep the law." This establishes a direct correlation between divine enablement and human responsibility, implying that the gifts are given for a specific, righteous purpose. Furthermore, the pairing of "wisdom and understanding" is a classic example of **Merism** or **Parallelism**, common in biblical wisdom literature, signifying a comprehensive intellectual and spiritual capacity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 22:12 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of leadership within God's covenant people. It asserts that true authority and effectiveness do not stem from human charisma, military might, or political shrewdness, but from divine enablement. The emphasis on God-given wisdom and understanding for the purpose of keeping God's law echoes the Deuteronomic vision of kingship, where the monarch is to be a diligent student and practitioner of the Torah, not its master. This principle transcends the specific context of Israelite monarchy, speaking to the universal truth that all stewardship, especially spiritual leadership, requires reliance on divine guidance and unwavering obedience to God's revealed will. The success of any endeavor, particularly one dedicated to God's glory like the building of the Temple, is predicated on faithfulness to His commands.

* [1 Kings 3:9](/1-kings/3-9 "Solomon's Prayer for an Understanding Heart")
* [Deuteronomy 17:18-20](/deuteronomy/17-18 "Instructions for the King's Rule")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Wisdom Comes from the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's prayer for Solomon offers timeless lessons for all believers, particularly those entrusted with any form of leadership, whether in family, church, community, or professional spheres. It challenges us to recognize that genuine success and lasting impact in any God-honoring endeavor flow from divine enablement, not solely from human effort or natural talent. We are called to constantly seek God's wisdom and understanding through prayer, study of His Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that our own intellect is insufficient for navigating the complexities of life and ministry. Furthermore, the verse reminds us that any authority or influence we possess is a sacred trust, given not for personal gain or glory, but for the service of others and, ultimately, for the glory of God and the upholding of His righteous principles. Our ultimate purpose in receiving divine gifts and responsibilities is to live in faithful obedience to God's Word, which is the bedrock for blessed, effective, and spiritually fruitful living.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or leadership do I most need to actively seek God's wisdom and understanding?**
* **How am I currently stewarding the "charge" or responsibilities God has entrusted to me, whether in my family, church, or community?**
* **What specific steps can I take to deepen my commitment to "keep the law of the LORD my God" in my daily life and decisions?**

### FAQ
**Why does David emphasize wisdom so much for Solomon?**

Answer: David emphasizes wisdom because he understands that governing God's people and building His Temple are not merely administrative or architectural tasks; they are spiritual endeavors requiring supernatural insight. Human cleverness or political acumen alone would be insufficient. True wisdom, as understood in the biblical sense, is the ability to apply God's truth to life, to discern His will, and to rule justly in accordance with His covenant. Without this divine wisdom, Solomon would be unable to lead Israel in a way that honors God and maintains the nation's covenant relationship, potentially leading to spiritual and national decline. David knew that the success of the kingdom and the Temple project depended entirely on Solomon's alignment with God's purposes, which only God-given wisdom could ensure.

**What is the significance of "keeping the law of the LORD thy God" in this context?**

Answer: "Keeping the law of the LORD thy God" is the ultimate purpose for which wisdom, understanding, and leadership are granted. In the Old Testament, the Law (Torah) was the foundational covenant document that defined Israel's relationship with God. For the king, adherence to the Law was paramount, as he was meant to be the chief exemplar of covenant faithfulness. National blessing, prosperity, and peace were directly contingent upon the king and the people obeying God's commandments, as repeatedly emphasized throughout Deuteronomy and the historical books. For Solomon, keeping the Law meant ruling justly, maintaining proper worship, and leading the people in righteousness. It was the measure of his true wisdom and the path to fulfilling his divine calling and securing God's continued blessing upon his reign and the Temple project.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 22:12 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Solomon was given wisdom and understanding to build a physical temple and rule a temporal kingdom, Jesus is the embodiment of divine wisdom itself, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, the Treasure of Wisdom")). He is the true and greater Solomon, not merely receiving wisdom but being wisdom incarnate. Furthermore, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the "charge concerning Israel" and indeed the entire cosmos, exercising perfect, righteous, and compassionate leadership as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Unlike any earthly king, He perfectly kept "the law of the LORD His God," living a sinless life and fulfilling every righteous requirement of the Torah, not to abolish it but to complete it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Moreover, Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, whose body, once destroyed, would be raised in three days ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the Temple")). Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Christ has opened the way for all believers to receive true wisdom from God ([James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking for Wisdom")) and to be empowered by His Spirit to live in obedience to God's will, becoming living stones in the spiritual temple that is His church ([1 Peter 2:5](/1-peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.