So 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. So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORDThis phrase emphasizes the public nature of the address. David is speaking to the leaders and people of Israel, underscoring the communal aspect of their covenant relationship with God. The "assembly of the LORD" refers to the gathered people of Israel, who are often called to witness significant events and covenants ( Deuteronomy 31:12). This public declaration reinforces accountability and unity among the people. and in the hearing of our God
This highlights the divine witness to the proceedings. It serves as a reminder that God is present and attentive to the commitments being made. This concept is echoed in other scriptures where God is portrayed as a witness to covenants and oaths (Malachi 2:14). It underscores the seriousness of the moment and the divine expectation for faithfulness. keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God
The call to "keep" and "seek out" the commandments emphasizes both obedience and diligent study. "Keep" implies adherence and practice, while "seek out" suggests a proactive pursuit of understanding God's laws. This dual approach is foundational in the Torah, where the law is given as a guide for righteous living (Deuteronomy 6:17). It reflects the importance of both knowing and doing God's will. so that you may possess this good land
The promise of land possession is a central theme in the Old Testament, tied to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:7). The "good land" refers to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, symbolizing God's provision and blessing. Possession of the land is contingent upon obedience to God's commandments, a recurring theme in the Deuteronomic history (Deuteronomy 8:1). and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever
This phrase underscores the generational aspect of God's promises. The land is not only for the current generation but is to be preserved for future descendants. This reflects the biblical principle of legacy and stewardship, where the faithfulness of one generation impacts the next (Psalm 78:4-7). The concept of an eternal inheritance also foreshadows the New Testament promise of an eternal inheritance through Christ (1 Peter 1:4). Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe speaker in this passage, King David, is addressing the leaders of Israel. He is nearing the end of his reign and is preparing to pass on the kingship to his son Solomon. 2. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, consisting of the twelve tribes, who are the audience of David's charge. 3. The Assembly of the LORDThis refers to the gathered leaders and representatives of the people of Israel, who are present to hear David's instructions. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who has given commandments and promises to His people. 5. The Good LandThe Promised Land, Canaan, which God gave to the Israelites as an inheritance. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandmentsObserving and seeking God's commandments is crucial for spiritual and communal prosperity. Legacy and InheritanceOur faithfulness impacts future generations. By adhering to God's ways, we ensure a spiritual inheritance for our descendants. Public AccountabilityDavid's charge in the presence of all Israel underscores the importance of communal accountability in following God's laws. The Role of LeadershipLeaders are called to guide others in faithfulness to God's commandments, setting an example for the community. The Eternal PerspectiveThe promise of the land as an eternal inheritance points to the broader biblical theme of God's eternal kingdom and our place within it. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's charge to Israel in 1 Chronicles 28:8 reflect the broader biblical theme of covenant faithfulness? 2. In what ways can we, as modern believers, "observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD" in our daily lives? 3. How does the concept of leaving a spiritual inheritance to future generations influence your personal faith journey? 4. What role does community accountability play in your spiritual life, and how can you foster it within your church or small group? 5. How can the promise of an eternal inheritance shape our perspective on current challenges and decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 4:1-2This passage emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments to live and possess the land, similar to David's charge to Israel. Joshua 1:7-8Joshua is instructed to be strong and courageous, observing the law to succeed in the land, paralleling David's exhortation to seek and observe God's commandments. Psalm 119:1-2Highlights the blessing of walking in the law of the LORD, which aligns with the call to observe God's commandments. Proverbs 3:1-2Encourages keeping God's commandments for a long and peaceful life, reflecting the promise of inheritance and blessing. People David, Levites, SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics TRUE, Assembly, Audience, Bequeath, Careful, Caused, Commandments, Commands, Congregation, Descendants, Ears, Follow, Forever, Hearing, Heritage, Inherit, Inheritance, Leave, Observe, Orders, Pass, Possess, Seek, Sight, Sons, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Chronicles 28:2-9 5089 David, significance 1 Chronicles 28:8-9 8767 hypocrisy Library The Promised King and Temple-Builder
'And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying, 5. Go and tell My servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build Me an house for Me to dwell in! 6. Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureDavid's Charge to Solomon
'And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. 2. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture December the Seventh Chosen as Builders
"Take heed now, for the Lord hath chosen thee to build." --1 CHRONICLES xxviii. 1-10. And how must he take heed? For it may be that the Lord hath also chosen me to build, and the counsel given to Solomon may serve me in this later day. Let me listen. "Serve Him with a perfect heart." God's chosen builders must be characterized by singleness and simplicity. He can do nothing with "double" men, who do things only "by half," giving one part to Him and the other part to Mammon. It is like offering …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
Hence, let us learn, my brethren, the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopia of Scripture, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863 The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Chronicles 28:8 NIV1 Chronicles 28:8 NLT1 Chronicles 28:8 ESV1 Chronicles 28:8 NASB1 Chronicles 28:8 KJV
1 Chronicles 28:8 Commentaries
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