(10) Take heed now; for the Lord.—Or, See now that Jehovah hath chosen thee; consider this high commission, weigh it well and realise it thoroughly, then be strong, and act. (See 1Chronicles 22:13; 1Chronicles 22:16.)

David now, in presence of the Assembly, hands over to his son the plans of the Sanctuary and its vessels, remarking, as he does so, that the whole is of Divine origin (1Chronicles 28:19).

1 Chronicles 28:10. A house for a sanctuary — That is, a sanctuary, or holy place, for the ark to dwell in. Be strong, and do it — Take courage and resolution to break through all difficulties, troubles, discouragements, and oppositions, which thou mayest possibly meet with.

28:1-10 During David's last sickness, many chief priests and Levites were at Jerusalem. Finding himself able, David spoke of his purpose to build a temple for God, and of God's disallowing that purpose. He opened to them God's gracious purposes concerning Solomon. David charged them to cleave stedfastly to God and their duty. We cannot do our work as we should, unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from Divine grace. Religion or piety has two distinct parts. The first is knowledge of God, the second is worship of God. David says, Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. God is made known by his works and word. Revelation alone shows the whole character of God, in his providence, his holy law, his condemnation of sinners, his blessed gospel, and the ministration of the Spirit to all true believers. The natural man cannot receive this knowledge of God. But thus we learn the value of the Saviour's atonement, and of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and are influenced to walk in all his commandments. It brings a sinner to his proper place at the foot of the cross, as a poor, guilty, helpless worm, deserving wrath, yet expecting every thing needful from the free mercy and grace of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been forgiven much, the pardoned sinner learns to love much.Know thou the God of thy father - "Knowing God," in the sense of having a religious trust in Him, is an unusual phrase in the earlier Scriptures. It scarcely occurs elsewhere in the historical books. David, however, uses the phrase in his Psalms Psa 36:10; and its occurrence here may be accepted as evidence that the entire speech is recorded in the actual words of the monarch. 1Ch 28:9-20. He Encourages Solomon to Build the Temple.

9, 10. And thou, Solomon my son—The royal speaker now turns to Solomon, and in a most impressive manner presses upon him the importance of sincere and practical piety.

know thou—He did not mean head knowledge, for Solomon possessed that already, but that experimental acquaintance with God which is only to be obtained by loving and serving Him.

For the sanctuary; or, for a sanctuary, i. e. which is to be a sanctuary for him, to wit, for the ark to dwell in.

Be strong; take courage and resolution to break through all difficulties, troubles, discouragements, or oppositions which thou mayst possibly meet with.

Take heed now,.... Of offending God by forsaking him; or see, consider, and observe now what he was further about to say to him, concerning the building of the temple, as follows:

for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary; a temple for the ark, called the sanctuary, Numbers 7:9 the Targum is, the Word of the Lord hath chosen thee, &c.

be strong, and do it, be of a good heart and courage, and set about it with vigour and resolution.

Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build {f} an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and {g} do it.

(f) Meaning, for his ark.

(g) Put it in execution.