1 Chronicles 22:8

Authorized King James Version

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But 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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֨י H1961
וַיְהִ֨י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָלַ֤י H5921
עָלַ֤י
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַר But the word H1697
דְּבַר But the word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 3 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵאמֹ֔ר came to me saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר came to me saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
דָּמִ֣ים blood H1818
דָּמִ֣ים blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 6 of 21
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
לָרֹב֙ abundantly H7230
לָרֹב֙ abundantly
Strong's: H7230
Word #: 7 of 21
abundance (in any respect)
שָׁפַ֥כְתָּ Thou hast shed H8210
שָׁפַ֥כְתָּ Thou hast shed
Strong's: H8210
Word #: 8 of 21
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
וּמִלְחָמ֥וֹת wars H4421
וּמִלְחָמ֥וֹת wars
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 9 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
גְּדֹל֖וֹת great H1419
גְּדֹל֖וֹת great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 10 of 21
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
עָשִׂ֑יתָ and hast made H6213
עָשִׂ֑יתָ and hast made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 11 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִבְנֶ֥ה thou shalt not build H1129
תִבְנֶ֥ה thou shalt not build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 13 of 21
to build (literally and figuratively)
בַ֙יִת֙ an house H1004
בַ֙יִת֙ an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 14 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לִשְׁמִ֔י unto my name H8034
לִשְׁמִ֔י unto my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 15 of 21
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 16 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דָּמִ֣ים blood H1818
דָּמִ֣ים blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 17 of 21
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
רַבִּ֔ים much H7227
רַבִּ֔ים much
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 18 of 21
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
שָׁפַ֥כְתָּ Thou hast shed H8210
שָׁפַ֥כְתָּ Thou hast shed
Strong's: H8210
Word #: 19 of 21
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
אַ֖רְצָה upon the earth H776
אַ֖רְצָה upon the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 20 of 21
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לְפָנָֽי׃ in my sight H6440
לְפָנָֽי׃ in my sight
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 21 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis & Commentary

God's prohibition 'Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name' reveals the temple's symbolic significance. David, though a man after God's heart, was a warrior whose hands shed blood (even justly in holy war). The temple required a builder whose reign typified peace (shalom) - Solomon, whose name derives from shalom. This distinction points to Christ who, though victorious warrior against sin and Satan, is supremely the Prince of Peace who builds the true temple (the church) not through warfare but through His blood shed on the cross.

Historical Context

David's wars (c. 1010-975 BCE) secured Israel's borders and established the kingdom's golden age. Yet these necessary military actions disqualified him from building God's house, teaching that worship requires different virtues than warfare - peace, rest, and holiness.

Questions for Reflection