1 Chronicles 28 20

1 Chronicles 28:20 kjv

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:20 nkjv

And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God?my God?will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:20 niv

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.

1 Chronicles 28:20 esv

Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

1 Chronicles 28:20 nlt

Then David continued, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly.

1 Chronicles 28 verses

1 Chronicles 28 20 Meaning

David's final charge to his son Solomon empowers him to undertake the immense task of building the Lord's Temple. It is an exhortation to strength, courage, and action, grounded entirely in the unwavering presence and faithfulness of the Almighty God. Solomon is commanded not to yield to fear or despair, because God Himself, the very God who was with David, promises to be with Solomon, never failing or abandoning him until the sacred work of constructing the Temple is fully completed. This verse encapsulates the divine assurance given for a God-ordained task.

1 Chronicles 28 20 Context

This verse is part of David's momentous address to his son Solomon and all the assembled leaders of Israel in Jerusalem. Following extensive preparations and detailed architectural plans received from God, David publicly appoints Solomon as his successor and the one divinely chosen to build the Temple (1 Chr 28:5-7). The chapter recounts David handing over all the patterns for the Temple, its vessels, and the detailed plans for all the sacred service to Solomon, emphasizing that everything was "by the Spirit" (1 Chr 28:11-19). This specific verse, 1 Chronicles 28:20, serves as David's ultimate pastoral charge and powerful reassurance, an almost Moses-to-Joshua moment, commissioning Solomon for the single greatest national and spiritual endeavor: constructing the permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, signifying God's presence among His people. Historically, this transition marks a new era from nomadic tent worship to a settled, central sanctuary, pivotal to Israel's national identity and worship. The exhortation implicitly counteracts any cultural or personal inclination towards fear or despair, grounding all future success in God's immutable character and promises, rather than solely in human skill or strength.

1 Chronicles 28 20 Word analysis

• And David said to Solomon his son: This highlights a transfer of authority, wisdom, and burden from father to son, establishing the instruction as weighty counsel and an official commission. David speaks with parental care and prophetic authority, as one who himself deeply desired to build the Temple.
• Be strong (חֲזַק - chazak): This Hebrew root signifies firmness, grip, fortitude, and physical/moral strength. It is not merely a wish for strength but an imperative to grasp hold of courage and apply oneself vigorously. This command echoes the call given to Joshua (Deut 31:6-7; Josh 1:6-7, 9) before leading Israel into the Promised Land, implying that building the Temple is a task as challenging and divinely mandated as the conquest itself.
• and of good courage (וֶאֱמָץ - ve'emats): Paired with chazak, this root (אֲמַץ - amats) denotes inner resolve, being firm or resolute. It complements strength by implying unwavering purpose and tenacity in the face of daunting challenges, especially mental and emotional fortitude. The combination is a common biblical idiom for complete inner steadfastness.
• and do it: (וַעֲשֵׂה - va'aseh): A direct and unambiguous imperative for action. This short phrase cuts through any potential hesitation or delay, emphasizing that the command to be strong and courageous is for the purpose of tangible, immediate action – the physical construction of the Temple.
• fear not, nor be dismayed: (אַל-תִּירָא וְאַל-תֵּחָת - al-tira ve'al-techat): A dual prohibition. `al-tira` (`יָרֵא` - yare) warns against external anxieties or dangers (being afraid of circumstances, adversaries, or the scale of the task). `ve'al-techat` (`חָתַת` - chatat) cautions against internal despondency, discouragement, or breaking down. Together, they address both outward fear and inward despair, promoting mental and emotional resilience. This addresses the common human tendencies when facing overwhelming tasks.
• for the LORD God, even my God: (כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהַי - ki YHWH Elohim Elohai): The basis of the entire command and encouragement. `YHWH` (Yahweh) signifies the covenant-keeping, personal God of Israel; `Elohim` (God) is a more general term for the Almighty Creator. "My God" underscores David's personal experience of God's faithfulness, lending weight and credibility to his promise for Solomon. It signifies the continuity of God's covenant loyalty across generations. This directly opposes reliance on human might or pagan deities by asserting the supremacy and unique nature of the true God.
• will be with thee: (עִמָּךְ - immach): The core promise and greatest source of assurance. Divine presence guarantees enablement, protection, and success. It implies active involvement, support, and resourcefulness for the daunting undertaking.
• he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee: (לֹא-יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ - lo-yarpka ve'lo ya'azveka): Another powerful dual negative promise emphasizing God's complete and continuous faithfulness. `lo-yarpka` (`רָפָה` - raphah) means He will not slacken His hand, relax His grip, or abandon (actively let go). `ve'lo ya'azveka` (`עָזַב` - azav) means He will not leave, desert, or abandon. This assures sustained divine backing and partnership for the entire duration of the work.
• until thou hast finished all the work: This sets the scope and duration of God's committed presence. His support is guaranteed until the completion of the entire divinely assigned task, reinforcing the imperative to persevere. It implies that God's presence provides the necessary resources, strength, and guidance to reach the goal.
• for the service of the house of the LORD: This identifies the specific, sacred purpose of "all the work" – the building and operational readiness of the Temple. This task is not for personal glory but dedicated wholly to the worship and glory of God, emphasizing its divine ordination and spiritual significance. The "house of the LORD" is the very locus of His presence among His people.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Be strong and of good courage... and do it": This cluster forms a forceful divine imperative combining inner fortitude with outward action. It's a foundational principle for tackling God-given responsibilities, emphasizing resolve and initiative.
• "fear not, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God... will be with thee": This passage grounds the command to be fearless in the reality of God's intimate presence. The prohibition of fear isn't based on human self-sufficiency, but on divine assurance. It acts as an antidote to anxieties and despondency inherent in vast undertakings.
• "he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work": This triple assurance speaks to God's enduring faithfulness and steadfast commitment. It provides ultimate confidence that the task, though grand and difficult, will be seen through to completion, enabled by an unchanging and always-present God. It implicitly states that God Himself desires and enables the successful culmination of His projects.

1 Chronicles 28 20 Bonus section

This charge from David to Solomon, often overlooked, carries prophetic weight for all of God's people embarking on His work. The call to "be strong and of good courage" is intrinsically tied not to one's own capabilities, but to God's presence and power. This principle forms a strong counter-narrative to ancient world views where human success was attributed to fate, the whim of deities, or solely personal might. Instead, it positions human effort as a faithful response to divine enablement. The Temple was not merely a grand building project, but a cosmic enterprise, securing God's dwelling among His people and symbolizing His rule. For Solomon, his personal obedience and spiritual fortitude were therefore directly linked to the success of this sacred enterprise, underscoring the spiritual nature of seemingly secular tasks when God is involved. The consistent biblical emphasis on "fear not" from the patriarchs to the apostles illustrates a perpetual need for reassurance in faith's journey, making this verse timeless in its applicability to every believer facing their God-given tasks, large or small, knowing the Divine Helper remains present "until thou hast finished all the work."

1 Chronicles 28 20 Commentary

1 Chronicles 28:20 stands as a foundational word of encouragement and enablement for anyone undertaking a God-ordained task. It moves beyond mere human positive thinking, anchoring all strength and courage in the immutable character and promises of God Himself. David, having served faithfully and being keenly aware of the magnitude of the Temple project, pours out profound theological truths to prepare Solomon not just practically, but spiritually and emotionally. The repeated exhortations to "be strong and of good courage," coupled with the antithesis "fear not, nor be dismayed," acknowledge the natural human tendency toward apprehension when faced with a calling beyond one's apparent capabilities. However, this human weakness is entirely overcome by the assurance of "the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee." The emphasis on "my God" personalizes the covenant promise, reminding Solomon that this same faithful God delivered David through countless trials. The guarantee "He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work" speaks to God's active, sustained commitment until the very end, demonstrating that God equips and enables for His purposes, bringing to completion what He has begun through His servants. The verse thus models that true leadership and diligent work in God's service flow from profound faith in God's ever-present help and steadfast fidelity.
Example: When embarking on a new ministry endeavor that seems overwhelming, remember God's promise to "not fail thee, nor forsake thee." If facing significant personal trials, "Be strong and of good courage" in the knowledge that "He will be with thee."