1 Chronicles 28:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
בְנִ֡י
my son
H1121
בְנִ֡י
my son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דַּע֩
know
H3045
דַּע֩
know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 29
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֨י
thou the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֨י
thou the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 29
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
אָבִ֜יךָ
of thy father
H1
אָבִ֜יךָ
of thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
7 of 29
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְעָבְדֵ֗הוּ
and serve
H5647
וְעָבְדֵ֗הוּ
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
8 of 29
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
בְּלֵ֤ב
heart
H3820
בְּלֵ֤ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
9 of 29
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
שָׁלֵם֙
him with a perfect
H8003
שָׁלֵם֙
him with a perfect
Strong's:
H8003
Word #:
10 of 29
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
וּבְנֶ֣פֶשׁ
mind
H5315
וּבְנֶ֣פֶשׁ
mind
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙
if thou seek
H1875
תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙
if thou seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֵ֥צֶר
all the imaginations
H3336
יֵ֥צֶר
all the imaginations
Strong's:
H3336
Word #:
19 of 29
a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)
מַֽחֲשָׁב֖וֹת
of the thoughts
H4284
מַֽחֲשָׁב֖וֹת
of the thoughts
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
20 of 29
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
מֵבִ֑ין
and understandeth
H995
מֵבִ֑ין
and understandeth
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
21 of 29
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
22 of 29
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙
if thou seek
H1875
תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙
if thou seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
23 of 29
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
יִמָּ֣צֵא
him he will be found
H4672
יִמָּ֣צֵא
him he will be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
26 of 29
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תַּֽעַזְבֶ֖נּוּ
of thee but if thou forsake
H5800
תַּֽעַזְבֶ֖נּוּ
of thee but if thou forsake
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
27 of 29
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 29:13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.Jeremiah 24:7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.1 Kings 8:61Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.2 Chronicles 15:2And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.Psalms 9:10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.John 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.Psalms 139:2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.Jeremiah 9:24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
David's public charge before Israel's assembly (c. 971 BCE) established Solomon's reign on proper foundation - personal knowledge of God, not merely administrative skill. This wisdom would serve Solomon well initially, though he later violated these principles through idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that God searches your heart and knows your thoughts affect your inner life?
- What areas of your service to God need to move from duty to 'willing mind' - joyful devotion?
Analysis & Commentary
David's charge to Solomon contains profound theological teaching: '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.' The progression knowledge → service → wholehearted devotion reflects covenant relationship. 'Perfect heart' (lev shalem) means undivided loyalty, not sinless perfection. 'Willing mind' (nefesh chafetzah) emphasizes joyful rather than grudging service. The basis is God's omniscience - He searches hearts and knows thoughts (Hebrew: yetzer - inclinations/formations). This anticipates Christ's call to love God with all heart, soul, and mind.