1 Chronicles 28:9
New International Version
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

New Living Translation
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

English Standard Version
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

Berean Standard Bible
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

New American Standard Bible
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

NASB 1995
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

NASB 1977
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Legacy Standard Bible
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a delighted soul; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Amplified Bible
“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and minds, and understands every intent and inclination of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever.

Christian Standard Bible
“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

American Standard Version
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 Jehovah 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.

Contemporary English Version
Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"And you, my son Solomon, learn to know your father's God. Serve the LORD wholeheartedly and willingly because he searches every heart and understands every thought [we have]. If you dedicate your life to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will reject you from then on.

Good News Translation
And to Solomon he said, "My son, I charge you to acknowledge your father's God and to serve him with an undivided heart and a willing mind. He knows all our thoughts and desires. If you go to him, he will accept you; but if you turn away from him, he will abandon you forever.

International Standard Version
"Now as for you, my son Solomon, get to know the God of your father. Serve him with a sound heart and a devoted soul, because the LORD is searching every heart, every plan and thought. He will be found by you, assuming you are seeking him, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you forever.

Majority Standard Bible
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

NET Bible
"And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the LORD examines all minds and understands every motive of one's thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.

New Heart English Bible
You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 shalt seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou shalt forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

World English Bible
You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, for YHWH is seeking all hearts, and He is understanding every imagination of the thoughts; if you seek Him, He is found by you, and if you forsake Him, He casts you off forever.

Young's Literal Translation
'And thou, Solomon, my son, know the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind, for all hearts is Jehovah seeking, and every imagination of the thoughts He is understanding; if thou dost seek Him, He is found of thee, and if thou dost forsake Him, He casteth thee off for ever.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou, O Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing soul: for Jehovah searched all hearts, and he understands every formation of the thoughts: if thou shalt seek him he will be found to thee, and if thou wilt forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou my son Solomon, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: "for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and under- standeth all the thoughts of minds. If thou seek him, thou shalt find him: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And as for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts, and understands the thoughts of all minds. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will cast you aside for eternity.

New American Bible
“As for you, Solomon, my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing soul, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the mind’s thoughts. If you search for him, he will be found; but if you abandon him, he will cast you off forever.

New Revised Standard Version
“And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the LORD searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you forever.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you, Solomon my son, know everything that the LORD our God has commanded us, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD knows everything that is in the heart and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts of men; if you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you, Solomon my son, know everything that LORD JEHOVAH our God commanded us, and serve him with a whole heart and in the desire of your soul without necessity, because LORD JEHOVAH knows all that is in the heart, and everything that the children of men think in their thoughts he understands. If you seek him, he shall be found for you, and if you forsake him, he shall destroy you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a whole 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now, my son Solomon, know the God of thy fathers, and serve him with a perfect heart and willing soul: for the Lord searches all hearts, and knows every thought: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou shouldest forsake him, he will forsake thee for ever.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Commissions Solomon
8So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever. 9As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”…

Cross References
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

Psalm 139:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalm 14:2
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

John 4:23-24
But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

1 Kings 8:39
be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Acts 17:27
God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

Psalm 119:2
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.


Treasury of Scripture

And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.

know thou

Deuteronomy 4:35
Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

1 Kings 8:43
Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

Psalm 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

the god

Genesis 28:13
And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

Exodus 3:16
Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

serve him

1 Chronicles 29:9,17-19
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy…

1 Kings 8:61
Let 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 Kings 20:3
I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

a willing mind

2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

1 Peter 5:2
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

the Lord

1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

1 Samuel 16:7
But 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.

1 Kings 8:39
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

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1 Chronicles 28
1. David in a solemn assembly having declared God's favor to him,
5. and promise to his son Solomon, exhorts them to fear God
9. He encourages Solomon to build the temple
11. He gives him patterns, gold and silver, etc














As for you, Solomon my son
This phrase marks a personal and intimate address from David to Solomon. The Hebrew word for "son" (בֵּן, ben) signifies not only a biological relationship but also a spiritual and covenantal one. David, as a father and king, is passing on a legacy of faith and responsibility. Historically, this moment is significant as it represents the transition of leadership and the continuation of God's covenant with David's lineage.

know the God of your father
The Hebrew word for "know" (יָדַע, yada) implies an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual understanding. David is urging Solomon to cultivate a personal relationship with God, the same God who guided David throughout his life. This phrase underscores the importance of a generational faith, where the knowledge of God is passed down and personally embraced.

and serve Him with all your heart
The word "serve" (עָבַד, avad) in Hebrew conveys the idea of worship and labor. It is a call to wholehearted devotion and action. The "heart" (לֵבָב, levav) in Hebrew culture is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. David is instructing Solomon to engage in service to God that is complete and undivided, reflecting a life fully surrendered to divine purposes.

and with a willing mind
The phrase "willing mind" (נֶפֶשׁ חֲפֵצָה, nefesh chafetzah) suggests a soul that delights in God's will. The Hebrew word for "mind" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh) often refers to the soul or life force, indicating that service to God should be both intentional and joyful. This highlights the importance of attitude in worship and obedience, where one's inner disposition aligns with God's desires.

for the LORD searches every heart
The verb "searches" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) implies a thorough and penetrating examination. The LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is depicted as omniscient, fully aware of the innermost thoughts and intentions of every individual. This serves as a reminder of God's intimate knowledge of humanity and His desire for genuine devotion rather than mere outward compliance.

and understands the intent of every thought
The word "understands" (בִּין, bin) conveys discernment and insight. God not only knows our thoughts but comprehends their motivations and purposes. This phrase emphasizes the depth of God's wisdom and His ability to perceive beyond human facades, calling believers to authenticity in their relationship with Him.

If you seek Him, He will be found by you
The act of seeking (דָּרַשׁ, darash) implies a diligent and earnest pursuit. The promise that God "will be found" (מָצָא, matsa) assures believers of His accessibility and readiness to reveal Himself to those who earnestly desire Him. This reflects a covenantal promise, where God's faithfulness is met with human responsiveness.

but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever
The warning to "forsake" (עָזַב, azav) God carries the connotation of abandonment and neglect. The consequence of being "rejected" (זָנַח, zanach) underscores the seriousness of turning away from God. This serves as a sobering reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where faithfulness is met with blessing, and unfaithfulness with judgment. Historically, this reflects the conditional nature of the Davidic covenant, where obedience leads to divine favor and disobedience to divine discipline.

(9) And thou, Solomon my son.--The king now turns to his heir, urging a whole-hearted service to his father's God (1Chronicles 28:9-10).

Know thou.--Regard thou, have care for (Psalm 1:6).

The God of thy father might mean the God of Israel (comp. 1Chronicles 29:10). But 1Chronicles 28:20, where David speaks of "my God," suggests the simpler meaning, God of David, here. (Comp. Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:6; Psalm 18:22; also Genesis 31:29; Genesis 31:42.) . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As for you,
וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹֽה־ (šə·lō·mōh-)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

my son,
בְנִ֡י (ḇə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

know
דַּע֩ (da‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֨י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of your father
אָבִ֜יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

and serve Him
וְעָבְדֵ֗הוּ (wə·‘ā·ḇə·ḏê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

wholeheartedly
שָׁלֵם֙ (šā·lêm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8003: Complete, safe, at peace

and with a willing
חֲפֵצָ֔ה (ḥă·p̄ê·ṣāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2655: Delighting in, having pleasure in

mind,
וּבְנֶ֣פֶשׁ (ū·ḇə·ne·p̄eš)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

searches
דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ (dō·w·rêš)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

every
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

heart
לְבָבוֹת֙ (lə·ḇā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

and understands
מֵבִ֑ין (mê·ḇîn)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

the intention
יֵ֥צֶר (yê·ṣer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3336: A form, framing, purpose

of every
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

thought.
מַחֲשָׁב֖וֹת (ma·ḥă·šā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

If
אִֽם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you seek Him,
תִּדְרְשֶׁ֙נּוּ֙ (tiḏ·rə·šen·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

He will be found
יִמָּ֣צֵא (yim·mā·ṣê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

by you;
לָ֔ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 0: 0

but if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you forsake Him,
תַּֽעַזְבֶ֖נּוּ (ta·‘az·ḇen·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

He will reject you
יַזְנִיחֲךָ֥ (yaz·nî·ḥă·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2186: Reject, forsake, fail

forever.
לָעַֽד׃ (lā·‘aḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5703: A, terminus, duration, advance, perpetuity


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 28:9 You Solomon my son know the God (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 28:8
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