1 Chronicles 28:20

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 27
to say (used with great latitude)
דָּוִ֜יד And David H1732
דָּוִ֜יד And David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 2 of 27
david, the youngest son of jesse
לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה to Solomon H8010
לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה to Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 3 of 27
shelomah, david's successor
בְנ֗וֹ his son H1121
בְנ֗וֹ his son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 4 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חֲזַ֤ק Be strong H2388
חֲזַ֤ק Be strong
Strong's: H2388
Word #: 5 of 27
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וֶֽאֱמַץ֙ and of good courage H553
וֶֽאֱמַץ֙ and of good courage
Strong's: H553
Word #: 6 of 27
to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
וַֽעֲשֵׂ֔ה and do H6213
וַֽעֲשֵׂ֔ה and do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 8 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָ֖א it fear H3372
תִּירָ֖א it fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 9 of 27
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וְאַל H408
וְאַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 10 of 27
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּחָ֑ת not nor be dismayed H2865
תֵּחָ֑ת not nor be dismayed
Strong's: H2865
Word #: 11 of 27
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
כִּי֩ H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָֽה׃ for the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 13 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהַי֙ God H430
אֱלֹהַי֙ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 27
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֱלֹהַי֙ God H430
אֱלֹהַי֙ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 15 of 27
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עִמָּ֔ךְ H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 16 of 27
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 17 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַרְפְּךָ֙ will be with thee he will not fail H7503
יַרְפְּךָ֙ will be with thee he will not fail
Strong's: H7503
Word #: 18 of 27
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 19 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽעַזְבֶ֔ךָּ thee nor forsake H5800
יַֽעַזְבֶ֔ךָּ thee nor forsake
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 20 of 27
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 21 of 27
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
לִכְל֕וֹת thee until thou hast finished H3615
לִכְל֕וֹת thee until thou hast finished
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 22 of 27
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 23 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלֶ֖אכֶת all the work H4399
מְלֶ֖אכֶת all the work
Strong's: H4399
Word #: 24 of 27
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
עֲבוֹדַ֥ת for the service H5656
עֲבוֹדַ֥ת for the service
Strong's: H5656
Word #: 25 of 27
work of any kind
בֵּית of the house H1004
בֵּית of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 26 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃ for the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 27 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

David's encouragement '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' echoes God's words to Joshua (Joshua 1:5-9). This parallel is deliberate - as Joshua succeeded Moses in bringing Israel into the promised land, Solomon succeeds David in building God's house. The promise of divine presence ('will be with thee') grounds courage. The double negative ('will not fail... nor forsake') provides absolute assurance. This covenant faithfulness finds ultimate expression in Christ's promise to His church (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).

Historical Context

Building the temple was Israel's most ambitious project, requiring unprecedented resources, organization, and international cooperation. Solomon needed divine presence more than human wisdom or wealth to accomplish this sacred task.

Questions for Reflection