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 (KJV)

King David gave a solemn charge to his son, Solomon, pertaining to the building of the temple. (1 Chronicles 28:1-10) David’s charge included three things:

  1. Solomon’s duty toward God.
  2. Motivation for Solomon to fulfill his duty.
  3. Promises regarding whether or not Solomon fulfilled his duty.

What is Our Duty?

To know God.
David tells Solomon in verse 9 to “know the God of your father.”This knowledge includes an intelligent view of His nature, and this knowledge is obtained by obedience. (John 7:17)

Nothing is more important in life than to truly know God. (Jeremiah 9:23-24) God is displeased when people do not know Him (as was the case in Hosea’s day in Hosea 4:1,6; and as was the case in Paul’s day in Romans 1:18-28)

Yet, God has made himself known through His creation (Psalm 19:1-3); through revelation, and the sending of His Son. (John 1:14,18; 14:7; 17:1-4)

To serve God.
God’s service is free and voluntary. Serve Him with a perfect heart, with an undivided mind, and with a whole heart. Not a double heart, no deception, and no wavering. This is the kind of service God expects today.

Our Motivation

God searches the hearts.
David tells Solomon “…for the Lord searches all hearts” Solomon later confesses in 1 Kings 8:39, “for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;”

God understands the intent.
The Lord understands all the intents of the thoughts. He understands every motive behind the thoughts.

The Promise

  • If we seek Him, He will be found by us. (2 Chronicles 15:2)
  • If we forsake Him, the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together. (Isaiah 1:28)

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 (KJV)