1 Chronicles 22:9

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

Behold, a son {H1121} shall be born {H3205} to thee, who shall be a man {H376} of rest {H4496}; and I will give him rest {H5117} from all his enemies {H341} round about {H5439}: for his name {H8034} shall be Solomon {H8010}, and I will give {H5414} peace {H7965} and quietness {H8253} unto Israel {H3478} in his days {H3117}.

But you will have a son who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies that surround him; for his name is to be Shlomo, and during his reign I will give peace [Hebrew: shalom] and quiet to Isra'el.

But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 22:9 reveals God's specific promise to King David regarding his successor, Solomon. This verse is pivotal in understanding why David was prevented from building the Temple and how God intended to establish a period of peace for Israel through Solomon's reign.

Context

This verse comes in the context of King David's fervent desire to build a magnificent temple for the Lord. However, God had communicated through the prophet Nathan that David, as a man of war, was not to build the temple. Instead, that privilege would fall to his son, a man of peace. David has just been told in 1 Chronicles 22:8 that his hands were too bloody from warfare. This promise to David about Solomon is a direct continuation of the Davidic Covenant, though here focused on the immediate successor and the building of the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment and Succession: God explicitly names Solomon as David's successor, indicating a divine hand in the royal lineage. This is not merely a political transition but a fulfillment of God's plan.
  • The Man of Rest: The promise that Solomon would be a "man of rest" (Hebrew: ish menuchah) is central. This contrasts sharply with David's life of constant warfare. Solomon's reign was prophesied to be characterized by peace and stability, allowing for the peaceful construction of the Temple.
  • God's Provision of Peace: The verse emphasizes God's active role: "I will give him rest from all his enemies" and "I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days." This highlights that true national peace comes from God, not merely human strength or strategy. This peace was crucial for the nation's spiritual and physical flourishing.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse serves as a direct prophecy concerning Solomon's reign, foretelling the tranquility that would enable the building of the Temple, a task David himself was denied due to his warlike past.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rest" (menuchah) and "peace" (shalom) are significant here. Menuchah implies cessation from struggle, quietness, and security. Shalom encompasses not just the absence of conflict but also wholeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony. The repetition of the concept of "rest" and "peace" underscores God's intention for this period of Israel's history under Solomon's rule, a stark contrast to David's warrior kingship.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's plans unfold according to His perfect timing and purpose. While David was a man after God's own heart, his role was to establish the kingdom through conquest. Solomon's role was to consolidate it through peace and wisdom, culminating in the building of the Temple. We can learn several lessons:

  • God's Sovereignty in Leadership: God raises up leaders for specific purposes and seasons, each with unique gifts and callings.
  • The Value of Peace: Peace, both internal and external, is a divine gift that enables growth and construction, whether of a physical temple or spiritual lives. It is a condition conducive to true worship and development.
  • Hope for Future Peace: While Solomon's reign offered a taste of peace, it was not ultimate. This longing for a "man of rest" points forward to the ultimate Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who brings true and lasting rest and spiritual rest for the soul that Solomon's reign could only foreshadow.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 4:25 (6 votes)

    And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

  • 1 Kings 5:4 (4 votes)

    But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, [so that there is] neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

  • 1 Kings 4:20 (4 votes)

    ¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

  • 2 Samuel 12:24 (3 votes)

    And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

  • 2 Samuel 12:25 (3 votes)

    And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 9:6 (3 votes)

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

  • Isaiah 9:7 (3 votes)

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.