And 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.

1 CHRONICLES 22:5KJV
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1 Chronicles 22:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 22:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 22:5 describes King David deciding to make extensive preparations for building a great temple for the LORD, because his son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. David wants the temple to be magnificent and famous throughout other nations, so he gathers materials and plans before his own death.

David is speaking about his son Solomon and the future temple in Jerusalem. David recognizes that Solomon (called "young and tender") is not yet ready for such a huge project, but the temple ("house") must be "exceeding magnifical"—meaning it should be grand and bring honor to God everywhere. Because of this, David takes it upon himself to prepare everything needed, showing his deep care for both his son and for worship of the LORD.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 22:5

  • "Young" (נַעַר, naʿar) and "tender" (רַךְ, rakh): These words emphasize Solomon’s inexperience and vulnerability, highlighting why David feels responsible for the preparations.
  • "Exceeding" (לְמַעְלָה, lemaʿlah): This word means "above" or "beyond," stressing that the temple should be more magnificent than anything else.
  • "Magnifical" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): This word means "great" or "important," pointing to the temple’s intended splendor and significance.
  • "Prepared" (כּוּן, kun): This verb means to establish or make ready, showing David’s active role in ensuring everything is set before Solomon begins.

Why 1 Chronicles 22:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David, though not allowed to build the temple himself, still played a crucial role by preparing resources and plans for Solomon.
  • The verse highlights the importance of the temple not just for Israel, but as a place of fame and glory "throughout all countries," showing a vision for God’s honor among all nations.
  • It sets the stage for the transition of leadership from David to Solomon, showing David’s care in setting up his son for success in a task he considers sacred and monumental.

Where else these words appear

“tender” Hebrew H7390 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 18:7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • Proverbs 4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

“glory” Hebrew H8597 · used in 50 verses

  • Exodus 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
  • Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
  • Isaiah 63:12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

“magnifical” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.

“exceeding” Hebrew H4605 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.