But 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.

1 CHRONICLES 22:8KJV
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1 Chronicles 22:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 22:8 mean?

In 1 Chronicles 22:8, David tells his son Solomon why God did not allow David to build a house for the LORD. David reports that the LORD connected that decision to the extensive bloodshed and wars in David’s life.

David is recalling the message he received as he explains his plans to Solomon. The “house” would be a place set apart for the LORD’s name. The phrase “in my sight” presents the bloodshed as something the LORD had seen.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 22:8

  • “word” — דָּבָר (davar): This word can mean a word, a matter, or a message. Here it points to the message David says he received from the LORD.
  • “name” — שֵׁם (shem): This word means a name. A house built for the LORD’s name would be a place associated with the LORD, rather than a home for David’s family.
  • “sight” — פָּנִים (panim): This word often means “face” and can also express someone’s presence. In “in my sight,” the wording stresses that the bloodshed was before the LORD.

Why 1 Chronicles 22:8 matters

  • David presents the reason as a message from the LORD, not simply as his own decision. His account begins, “the word of the LORD came to me.”
  • The focus is on the scale of the bloodshed. David reports that he had shed blood “abundantly” and had made “great wars.”
  • The verse distinguishes David’s role from Solomon’s. David was not to build the house, while the following verses identify Solomon as the son who would build it.

Where else these words appear

“shed” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Psalms 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

“abundantly” Hebrew H7230 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.