1 Chronicles 22:19

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

Now set {H5414} your heart {H3824} and your soul {H5315} to seek {H1875} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}; arise {H6965} therefore, and build {H1129} ye the sanctuary {H4720} of the LORD {H3068} God {H430}, to bring {H935} the ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068}, and the holy {H6944} vessels {H3627} of God {H430}, into the house {H1004} that is to be built {H1129} to the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

Now set your heart and being on seeking ADONAI your God. Get up, and build the sanctuary for ADONAI, God. Then you can bring the ark for the covenant of ADONAI and the holy articles of God into the house that will be built for the name of ADONAI."

Now set your heart and soul to seek the LORD your God. Get started building the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”

Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Jehovah your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of Jehovah God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

1 Chronicles 22:19 is part of King David's profound charge to the leaders and people of Israel concerning the monumental task of building the Temple. Although David himself passionately desired to construct a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, God revealed that his son, Solomon, would be the one to undertake this sacred endeavor because David was a man of war (1 Chronicles 22:8). In this specific verse, David shifts his focus from Solomon to the broader community, urging the entire nation to prepare both spiritually and practically for this great work, emphasizing unity and a shared purpose in God's service.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Holistic Devotion

    The imperative "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God" underscores the necessity of a deep, internal commitment before any physical work can begin. This phrase signifies a call for wholehearted dedication, mirroring the Deuteronomy 6:5 command to love God entirely. It highlights that spiritual readiness and a pure motive are paramount for any endeavor undertaken for God, ensuring that the external act flows from an internal devotion.

  • The Call to Action

    Following the spiritual directive, David issues a direct command: "arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God." This emphasizes that spiritual intention must translate into tangible effort and diligent work. Faith is not passive; it requires active participation and collective effort. The building of the magnificent Temple of the Lord was to be a unified national project, requiring the cooperation and labor of many.

  • Centrality of Worship

    The ultimate purpose of building the sanctuary was "to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD." The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's holy presence among His people and was the focal point of their worship and relationship with Him. The Temple was designed to be a dedicated, sacred space for God's glory, where His presence could dwell and His people could draw near in worship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "set your heart and your soul" (Hebrew: simu levavchem v'nafshchem) conveys a profound and deliberate concentration of one's entire being. Levav (heart) in Hebrew thought often refers not just to emotions, but to the mind, will, and inner moral character. Nefesh (soul) encompasses the whole person, including one's desires, vitality, and personality. Together, they stress an unreserved, complete devotion and commitment to God's will and purpose, indicating that both intellect and passion should be engaged in seeking Him and fulfilling His commands.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless principles for believers today. Firstly, any significant spiritual undertaking, whether personal growth, family discipleship, or collective ministry, must begin with a wholehearted seeking of God. Our internal disposition and sincere devotion to Him are foundational. Secondly, spiritual commitment must lead to practical action. We are called not just to desire God's work but to "arise" and actively participate in it, using our gifts, time, and resources. Finally, all our efforts should be centered on God's glory and His presence, making Him the focal point of our "sanctuary"—whether that is our personal lives, our homes, or our gathered communities of faith.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9 (11 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 4:29 (9 votes)

    But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:11 (8 votes)

    Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

  • Psalms 27:4 (7 votes)

    One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:7 (7 votes)

    And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:

  • 1 Kings 8:6 (6 votes)

    And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims.

  • 2 Chronicles 5:7 (6 votes)

    And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims: