The big picture
1 Chronicles 22 opens in verse 1 with “Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father…”, and closes in verse 19 with “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, house, David, Israel, build. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Chronicles · King James Version · 191 Chronicles 22:1-7
1–7: David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of…
1 Chronicles 22:1–7 opens with “Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering…” and reaches “And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work, with particular weight carried by David, house, LORD.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to…” It lands on “And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 4 verses with a speech marker, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as David, house, LORD, abundance, build, Israel tie the complete block together. The central idea, “David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include David, God, Israel, Solomon, Also, Tyre. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 6: “Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: David, house, LORD, abundance, build, Israel
Verse-by-verse path
- 1 Chronicles 22:1
“Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 1 Chronicles 22:2
“And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:3
“And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 1 Chronicles 22:4
“Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.” Naming Also and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 1 Chronicles 22:5
“And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:6
“Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:7
“And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 22:1-7
King James Version1Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
2And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
3And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
4Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
5And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
7And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:
1 Chronicles 22:8-14
8–14: The word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood…
1 Chronicles 22:8–14 opens with “But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made…” and reaches “Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work, with particular weight carried by LORD, house, Israel.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made…” By verse 11, the text has turned to “Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy…” It lands on “Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as LORD, house, Israel, build, name, blood tie the complete block together. The central idea, “David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Israel, God, Moses, Only, Solomon, Thou. Its number language includes hundred, thousand. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 11: “Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, house, Israel, build, name, blood
Verse-by-verse path
- 1 Chronicles 22:8
“But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 1 Chronicles 22:9
“Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:10
“He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:11
“Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
- 1 Chronicles 22:12
“Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:13
“Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:14
“Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a…” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Chronicles 22:8-14
King James Version8But 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.
9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
10He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
11Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
12Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
14Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
1 Chronicles 22:15-19
15–19: Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of…
1 Chronicles 22:15–19 opens with “Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and…” and reaches “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work, with particular weight carried by LORD, arise, land.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber…” By verse 17, the text has turned to “David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,” It lands on “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 question, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as LORD, arise, land, manner, abundance, brass tie the complete block together. The central idea, “David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Arise, David, Israel, Moreover, Solomon. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 18: “Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, arise, land, manner, abundance, brass
Verse-by-verse path
- 1 Chronicles 22:15
“Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning…” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 1 Chronicles 22:16
“Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD…” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 1 Chronicles 22:17
“David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- 1 Chronicles 22:18
“Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- 1 Chronicles 22:19
“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
1 Chronicles 22:15-19
King James Version15Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
16Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
17David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD , and before his people.
19Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD , and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD .
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Track who acts, who speaks, who is affected, and what changes.
- Notice repeated promises, failures, rescues, and consequences.
- Do not assume the narrator approves every action that is reported.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from 1 Chronicles 22?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of 1 Chronicles 22 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: David gathering stone, iron, bronze, cedar, craftsmen, and instructions for Solomon’s temple work?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?