1 Chronicles 28:8

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.

Now therefore in the sight {H5869} of all Israel {H3478} the congregation {H6951} of the LORD {H3068}, and in the audience {H241} of our God {H430}, keep {H8104} and seek {H1875} for all the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}: that ye may possess {H3423} this good {H2896} land {H776}, and leave it for an inheritance {H5157} for your children {H1121} after {H310} you for {H5704} ever {H5769}.

Now therefore, in the sight of all Isra'el, the community of ADONAI, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the mitzvot of ADONAI your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants after you forever.

So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you for ever.

Context

This verse is part of King David's solemn public address to his son Solomon and to "all Israel the congregation of the LORD" (1 Chronicles 28:8). Delivered towards the end of David's life, this speech serves as a crucial moment of transition and instruction. David is not only passing on the kingdom to Solomon but also giving specific charges regarding the building of the Temple and, more broadly, the nation's spiritual well-being. The "good land" refers to the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, which God had given to Israel as an inheritance.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to God's Commandments: The core message is an earnest plea for diligent obedience. The phrase "keep and seek for" emphasizes an active, continuous pursuit of God's will, not merely passive adherence. This commitment is presented as the foundational requirement for national prosperity and divine favor.
  • Conditional Blessings: The possession and retention of the land are directly contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to God's laws. This echoes the covenant blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy, where obedience leads to prosperity and disobedience to exile and loss.
  • Intergenerational Inheritance: David highlights the long-term impact of their actions. The land is not just for the current generation but must be preserved as an "inheritance for your children after you for ever." This underscores the vital importance of passing on a legacy of faith and obedience to future generations.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The charge is directed not just to Solomon but to "all Israel the congregation of the LORD," emphasizing that the nation's destiny is a collective responsibility, dependent on the faithfulness of the entire community.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "keep and seek for" translates two significant Hebrew verbs. "Keep" comes from shamar (שמר), meaning to guard, observe, or preserve, implying careful adherence to the law. "Seek for" comes from darash (דרש), which signifies to inquire, to diligently pursue, or to earnestly consult. Together, they convey a profound and active commitment: not just outward observance, but an inward desire and diligent effort to understand and live by God's commandments. This active pursuit is essential for them to "possess" (yarash - ירש) the land, meaning to inherit or take lasting possession of it.

Practical Application

While the immediate context is Israel's physical land, the principles of 1 Chronicles 28:8 remain profoundly relevant for believers today.

  • The Importance of Obedience: Just as Israel's prosperity was tied to obedience, our spiritual well-being and experience of God's blessings are often linked to our obedience to Christ's teachings. It's not about earning salvation, but living out the new life we've received.
  • Leaving a Spiritual Legacy: Parents and spiritual leaders have a responsibility to pass on a heritage of faith, wisdom, and devotion to God to the next generation, ensuring that spiritual "land" (truth, blessings, relationship with God) is not lost but preserved.
  • Corporate Faithfulness: The church, as the congregation of the Lord, also has a collective responsibility to uphold God's truths and commandments. The faithfulness of the community impacts its witness and effectiveness in the world.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 4:1

    ¶ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

  • Deuteronomy 5:32

    Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

  • Deuteronomy 6:3

    Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

  • Ezra 9:12

    Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave [it] for an inheritance to your children for ever.

  • Proverbs 2:1

    ¶ My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

  • Proverbs 2:5

    Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

  • Isaiah 34:16

    Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

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