2 Chronicles 6:8

But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

But the LORD {H3068} said {H559} to David {H1732} my father {H1}, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart {H3824} to build {H1129} an house {H1004} for my name {H8034}, thou didst well {H2895} in that it was in thine heart {H3824}:

but ADONAI said to David my father, 'Although it was in your heart to build a house for my name, and you did well that it was in your heart,

But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.

But Jehovah said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart:

In 2 Chronicles 6:8, King Solomon, during the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, recounts God's words to his father, David. This verse highlights God's profound approval of David's sincere desire to build a house for His name, even though God ultimately chose David's son, Solomon, to complete the task.

Context

This verse is part of Solomon's lengthy prayer of dedication for the Temple, which he had finally completed. Solomon is reminding the people, and acknowledging before God, the divine promise and the history behind the Temple's construction. David had a deep longing to build a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, as chronicled in 2 Samuel 7:2 and 1 Chronicles 17:1. However, because David was a man of war, God decreed that his son would be the one to build the Temple, a promise found in 2 Samuel 7:13 and 1 Chronicles 17:12. Solomon's words here affirm that God recognized and honored David's pure intention.

Key Themes

  • The Value of Intention: This verse beautifully illustrates that God looks beyond outward accomplishments to the inner disposition of the heart. David's desire was pure and God-honoring, and He commended it wholeheartedly.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Desire: While God's plan ultimately unfolded differently than David initially envisioned, God still affirmed David's sincere wish. This shows that God appreciates our willingness and devotion, even when His methods or timing differ from ours.
  • Legacy and Succession: The fulfillment of David's desire through his son Solomon demonstrates God's faithfulness across generations. What one generation purposes, another may complete, all within God's overarching plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "it was in thine heart" emphasizes the deep, inner motivation. The Hebrew word for "heart" here, lēḇāḇ (לְבָב), refers to the seat of one's thoughts, will, and emotions—the very core of one's being. It's not just a passing thought but a profound desire. The commendation "thou didst well in that it was in thine heart" literally means "it was good with your heart," signifying God's full approval of David's inner intention and devotion, regardless of the eventual outcome of the physical construction.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 6:8 offers immense encouragement. It teaches us that God values our sincere desire to serve Him, to honor His name, and to advance His kingdom, even if our plans don't materialize exactly as we envision. Our motives matter deeply to God, more so than the external success of our efforts. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart that is truly devoted to God, knowing that He sees and commends our inner disposition, just as He did with King David. It reminds us that our true service begins in the heart, aligning our intentions with God's will, trusting Him with the outcome.

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.

  • Mark 14:8

    She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:12

    For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

  • 1 Kings 8:18

    And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

  • 1 Kings 8:21

    And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein [is] the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

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