1 Chronicles 28:20
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 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Chronicles, King David is imparting words of wisdom and encouragement to his son, Solomon. He advises Solomon to be strong and courageous as he embarks on the monumental task of building the house of the LORD. David reassures Solomon that the LORD God will be with him every step of the way, emphasizing that he will not be abandoned or left to face the challenges alone. By reminding Solomon of the divine presence and support, David instills confidence in his son to carry out the work for the service of the house of the LORD. This verse serves as a reminder that with faith and determination, one can overcome any obstacles that come their way, knowing that God's presence is constant and unwavering.
Theological Overview
David's words to his son Solomon in this verse from 1 Chronicles 28:20 serve as a powerful reminder of God's continuous presence and faithfulness in the lives of believers. The exhortation to "be strong and of good courage" echoes the sentiments found throughout scripture, calling upon individuals to trust in the Lord's strength and not be overcome by fear or discouragement. The assurance that God will be with Solomon, not failing or forsaking him, highlights the unchanging nature of God's promises. This verse can also be seen as a commissioning for the important task ahead – the completion of the work for the service of the house of the Lord. Through theological interpretation, we can glean insights into the enduring faithfulness of God and the encouragement He provides to His children as they carry out His work on earth.
1 Chronicles 28:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed; for Jehovah God, even my God, is with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished.
World English Bible
David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of Yahweh’s house is finished.
Douay-Rheims
And David said to Solomon his son: Act like a man, and take courage, and do: fear not, and be not dismayed: for the Lord my God will be with thee, and will not leave thee, nor forsake thee, till thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Dauid said to Salomon his sonne, Be strong, and of a valiant courage and doe it: feare not, nor be afraide: for the Lord God, euen my God is with thee: he will not leaue thee nor forsake thee till thou hast finished all the worke for the seruice of the house of the Lord.