1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
1 Chronicles 28:9 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of 1 Chronicles, King David is speaking to his son Solomon, imparting wisdom on how to live a godly life. David instructs Solomon to know the God of their father and to serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. This guidance emphasizes the importance of having a genuine and wholehearted devotion to God, as He sees into the innermost thoughts and intentions of every person. David reminds Solomon that if he seeks God, he will be found by Him, but if he turns away and forsakes Him, God will ultimately cast him off. This verse serves as a moral lesson, encouraging readers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else and to approach Him with sincerity and eagerness. It underscores the idea that a genuine and committed faith is rewarded by God, while turning away from Him results in separation and consequences. Through this verse, individuals are reminded of the importance of seeking and serving God faithfully in order to receive His blessings and favor.
Theological Overview
This verse from 1 Chronicles 28:9 contains important theological insights regarding the nature of God and His relationship with His people. The key exhortation given by King David to his son Solomon is to know the God of his father and serve Him with a perfect heart and willing mind. This highlights the importance of personal intimacy with God and devotion to Him in all aspects of life. The phrase "for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts" emphasizes God's omniscience and His ability to see beyond outward actions to the true motivations of the heart. This serves as a reminder that God desires sincere worship and obedience from His people.
The verse also presents a conditional promise: "if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." This highlights the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly, as He promises to reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. However, it also serves as a warning against turning away from God, as this can lead to being rejected by Him. Overall, this verse emphasizes the personal responsibility of individuals to know, serve, and seek after God, as well as the consequences of either following or forsaking Him.
1 Chronicles 28:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
World English Bible
You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Douay-Rheims
And thou my son Solomon, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the thoughts of minds. If thou seek him, thou shalt find him: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou, Salomon my sonne, know thou the God of thy father, and serue him with a perfit heart, and with a willing minde: For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and vnderstandeth all the imaginations of thoughts: if thou seeke him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for euer.