Now, 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.

1 CHRONICLES 22:11KJV
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1 Chronicles 22:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 22:11 mean?

1 Chronicles 22:11 records King David’s blessing to his son Solomon, asking that the LORD be with him, grant him success, and enable him to build the temple as God had promised. David expresses his hope that Solomon will fulfill the task of constructing the house of the LORD, which was a significant responsibility given by God.

In this verse, David is speaking directly to Solomon as he prepares him to take on the role of king and the builder of the temple in Jerusalem. David cannot build the temple himself, so he charges Solomon with this sacred duty, emphasizing both God’s presence and God’s promise. The verse highlights the importance of God’s guidance and blessing in carrying out such an important work.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 22:11

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the covenant relationship between God and Israel. David’s blessing centers on the idea that Solomon needs the LORD’s presence to succeed.
  • prosper (צָלַח, tsalach): This word means to advance, succeed, or be prosperous. David is not just wishing Solomon good luck, but specifically asking that God would cause his efforts to thrive.
  • build (בָּנָה, banah): This verb means to construct or establish. The focus is on the physical and spiritual act of building the temple, which is seen as building up the worship of God in Israel.
  • house (בַּיִת, bayith): Here, “house” refers to the temple, the central place for Israel’s worship. The word carries both the sense of a physical building and a spiritual dwelling for God’s presence.

Why 1 Chronicles 22:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that building the temple was not just Solomon’s idea or a royal project, but a fulfillment of God’s own promise and plan, passed from David to his son.
  • The emphasis on the LORD’s presence and prosperity shows that success in God’s work depends on God’s help, not just human effort or royal authority.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of David’s preparations for the temple and his deep concern that Solomon rely on God, not just on inherited resources or power.