Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

1 CHRONICLES 28:10KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 28:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 28:10 mean?

1 Chronicles 28:10 is a charge from David to Solomon, urging him to pay close attention because God has chosen Solomon to build a temple for Him. David tells Solomon to be strong and take action to fulfill this important task.

David, nearing the end of his reign, is speaking to his son Solomon in front of Israel’s leaders. The verse emphasizes both God’s choice of Solomon for a special purpose and the need for Solomon to respond with courage and determination. This moment highlights the seriousness of building the temple, which was to be the central place of worship for Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 28:10

  • "heed" (רָאָה, ra'ah): This word is often translated as "see" or "look," but here it carries the sense of "pay careful attention." David is telling Solomon not to take this responsibility lightly.
  • "chosen" (בָּחַר, bachar): This word means "to choose" or "select." The verse stresses that Solomon was specifically picked by God for this unique role, not by accident or merely by David’s preference.
  • "sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash): This word refers to a holy or set-apart place. The temple is not just any building, but a sacred space dedicated to God’s presence.
  • "be strong" (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means "to be strong" or "courageous." It is a call for Solomon to have inner strength and resolve, not just physical ability.

Why 1 Chronicles 28:10 matters

  • The verse clarifies that building the temple was not simply a royal project but a divine assignment given specifically to Solomon, underscoring the importance of obedience to God’s calling.
  • David’s words highlight the need for both careful attention and personal courage when undertaking something God has set before someone, showing that divine choice still requires human response.
  • This charge connects to the wider passage, where David is passing leadership and responsibility to Solomon, marking a key transition in Israel’s history and the establishment of the temple as the center of worship.

Where else these words appear

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.