1 Chronicles 28:8
Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠עַתָּה
H6258
לְעֵינֵ֨י
Now therefore in the sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֨י
Now therefore in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 24
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל
of all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל
of all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּבְאָזְנֵ֣י
and in the audience
H241
וּבְאָזְנֵ֣י
and in the audience
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
7 of 24
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
of our God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 24
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
שִׁמְר֣וּ
keep
H8104
שִׁמְר֣וּ
keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
וְדִרְשׁ֔וּ
and seek
H1875
וְדִרְשׁ֔וּ
and seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹ֖ת
for all the commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹ֖ת
for all the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
12 of 24
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
of our God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 24
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
לְמַ֤עַן
H4616
לְמַ֤עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּֽירְשׁוּ֙
that ye may possess
H3423
תִּֽירְשׁוּ֙
that ye may possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
16 of 24
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
this good
H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
this good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
19 of 24
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְהִנְחַלְתֶּ֛ם
and leave it for an inheritance
H5157
וְהִנְחַלְתֶּ֛ם
and leave it for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
20 of 24
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
לִבְנֵיכֶ֥ם
for your children
H1121
לִבְנֵיכֶ֥ם
for your children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַֽחֲרֵיכֶ֖ם
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיכֶ֖ם
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:1Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.Isaiah 34:16Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.Proverbs 13:22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.Ezra 9:12Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
Historical Context
This public charge (c. 971 BCE) bound the entire nation, not just Solomon, to covenant faithfulness. David's emphasis on land inheritance reflected Israel's land-centered theology, though the New Testament expands this to spiritual inheritance in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously do you take the multi-generational impact of your faithfulness or unfaithfulness?
- What spiritual inheritance are you actively preparing to leave for 'children after you' - whether physical or spiritual descendants?
Analysis & Commentary
David's solemn charge combines personal and corporate dimensions: 'Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.' Speaking before Israel but 'in the audience of our God' recognizes divine witness to covenant commitments. The dual command - 'keep and seek' (shamru v'dirshu) - requires both obedience and diligent study. The motivation is generational - possessing the land and passing inheritance to children. This teaches that covenant faithfulness has multi-generational consequences, anticipating believers' calling to pass faith to future generations.