1 Chronicles 28:9

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.

And thou, Solomon {H8010} my son {H1121}, know {H3045} thou the God {H430} of thy father {H1}, and serve {H5647} him with a perfect {H8003} heart {H3820} and with a willing {H2655} mind {H5315}: for the LORD {H3068} searcheth {H1875} all hearts {H3824}, and understandeth {H995} all the imaginations {H3336} of the thoughts {H4284}: if thou seek {H1875} him, he will be found {H4672} of thee; but if thou forsake {H5800} him, he will cast thee off {H2186} for ever {H5703}.

"As for you, Shlomo my son, know the God of your father. Serve him wholeheartedly and with desire in your being; for ADONAI searches all hearts and understands all the inclinations of people's thoughts. If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

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 Jehovah 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.

This verse records the heartfelt charge from King David to his son Solomon as Solomon prepared to take the throne and build the temple. It emphasizes the foundational importance of a personal relationship with God and wholehearted devotion in leadership and life.

Context

King David, near the end of his life, is giving instructions and encouragement to his son Solomon, who is designated to succeed him and oversee the monumental task of building the temple in Jerusalem. This verse is part of David's final public address to Solomon and the leaders of Israel, laying out the spiritual principles necessary for success and faithfulness in the kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Knowing God Personally: David urges Solomon to "know thou the God of thy father," emphasizing a personal, experiential knowledge of God, not just intellectual awareness.
  • Wholehearted Service: Serving God requires both a "perfect heart" (sincere, undivided devotion) and a "willing mind" (eager, voluntary obedience).
  • God's Omniscience: The verse highlights that the LORD "searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts," revealing God's complete knowledge of our inner lives and intentions. See Jeremiah 17:10 for more on God examining the heart.
  • Seeking God: A direct promise is given: "if thou seek him, he will be found of thee," illustrating God's responsiveness to those who earnestly pursue Him.
  • Consequences of Forsaking God: A clear warning is issued that if one forsakes God, He "will cast thee off for ever," underscoring the seriousness of covenant faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "perfect heart" translates the Hebrew shalem leb (שָׁלֵם לֵב), which implies completeness, wholeness, or undivided loyalty towards God. It doesn't mean sinless perfection, but rather sincerity and full commitment. "Willing mind" comes from nefesh chaphets (נֶפֶשׁ חָפֵץ), meaning a soul that desires or delights in serving God, highlighting eagerness and pleasure in obedience.

Reflection and Application

David's words to Solomon are timeless principles for anyone seeking to live a life pleasing to God. We are called not just to know about God, but to know Him personally. Our service should stem from a sincere, undivided heart and a joyful, willing attitude. Recognizing that God sees our innermost thoughts should motivate us towards purity and sincerity. The promise that God will be found by those who seek Him is a powerful encouragement for prayer and spiritual discipline. Conversely, the warning about forsaking God reminds us of the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in our relationship with Him.

This verse serves as a foundational reminder that true service and success, in any endeavor, begin with a right relationship with God, characterized by knowledge, sincerity, willingness, and persistent seeking.

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.

  • Jeremiah 29:13

    And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

  • James 4:11

    ¶ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • Matthew 7:8

    For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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