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.
Read it in contextDavid's Charge to Build the Temple
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 22:1 (1 Chronicles 22:1 to 1 Chronicles 22:19).
The entire chapter details David's preparations and instructions for the building of the temple.
22:1Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
22:2And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
22:3And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
22:4Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
22:5And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
22:6Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
22:7And 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:
22:8But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
22:9Behold, 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.
22:10He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
22:11Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
22:12Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
22:13Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
22:14Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
22:15Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
22:16Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
22:17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
22:18Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
22:19Now 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution. The historical writer or compiler is commonly called the Chronicler; an exact personal identification is not certain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Chronicles 22:1–22:19): David addresses Solomon and Israel's leaders concerning preparation for the temple. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after the Babylonian exile, reconnecting its families, worship, and identity with Israel's earlier history. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:2. book background
What
What is the main event or theme in this passage? David's exhortation to the princes of Israel to dedicate themselves to seeking the LORD God and to assist Solomon in building the sanctuary for the ark of the covenant and holy vessels. stated in the text
What is God revealing in this passage? God is revealing His desire for a dedicated sanctuary where His presence, symbolized by the ark of the covenant, would dwell among His people, and His provision of rest and resources for its construction. stated in the text
What is the literary style of this passage? This passage is narrative history, specifically an exhortation or charge given by David. stated in the text
When
When was the book of 1 Chronicles written? Approximately 450 to 425 B.C. book background
When do the events described in this passage take place? These events occur at the end of King David's reign, shortly before his death, as he prepares for the building of the temple by his son Solomon. stated in the text
Where
Where did the events described in this passage take place? The preparations and charges for the temple's construction took place in Israel, likely in Jerusalem, where David had gathered materials and given instructions. stated in the text
Where was the author of 1 Chronicles located when writing the book? Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in David's Charge to Build the Temple (1 Chronicles 22:1 to 1 Chronicles 22:19).
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 22:1. The entire chapter details David's preparations and instructions for the building of the temple.
How
How does this passage fit the broader context of 1 Chronicles? This passage concludes David's extensive preparations for the temple and his charge to Solomon and the leaders of Israel to complete the work, setting the stage for Solomon's reign and the temple's construction, which is a major theme in Chronicles. stated in the text
How does this passage point to Christ? The command to build a sanctuary for the LORD God, where the ark of the covenant and holy vessels would reside, prefigures Christ. While the physical temple was a dwelling place for God's presence among His people, Christ is presented as the ultimate dwelling place of God, and through Him, believers become the spiritual temple of God. interpretation
How can I apply this passage to my life today? Just as David exhorted the princes to "set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God" and "arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary," believers today are called to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to seeking God and participating in His work, which now involves building up the spiritual body of Christ. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles 22
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.