Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
1 Chronicles 22:6
What does 1 Chronicles 22:6 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
1 Chronicles 22:6
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
David, a king who longed to build God's temple, instead passes the baton to Solomon with a direct charge, highlighting that sometimes God's will for us is to prepare for the work, not necessarily do it all ourselves. This isn't about David's personal ambition, but about faithfully entrusting the next step to the one God has chosen.
Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David, now old and recognizing his own time is short, gathers his son Solomon and the Israelite leaders. Having been forbidden by God to build the Temple himself, David passionately lays out the plan and entrusts Solomon with the immense task of constructing a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant. This sets the stage for Solomon's reign, where his primary, God-ordained mission will be to fulfill his father's dream.
David, facing his own end, had a vital mission for his son. It wasn't just about a building, but about a legacy of faith.
Passing the Baton
This isn't just any instruction; it's a father's solemn charge to his successor. David, unable to build the Temple himself due to the wars he fought, invests his most important project into Solomon's hands. This highlights the importance of:
Why build a physical house for an all-powerful, invisible God? This wasn't about containing God, but about creating a focal point for His people.
A Dwelling Place for God's Name
The concept of building a "house" for God might seem strange to us. However, in the Old Testament, it carried profound meaning:
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
tsavah · Hebrew Verb
The Hebrew word for "charge" or "command" refers to an authoritative directive, often involving a solemn responsibility passed from one person to another, especially in the context of covenantal or royal succession.
bayit · Hebrew Noun
In the Old Testament, the "house" of the LORD refers primarily to the Temple, the place where God’s presence dwells among His people. It symbolizes God's throne on earth and the center of Israel's worship.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
This is the sacred, covenantal name of God revealed to Moses. It signifies God as the eternal, self-existent One, who is faithful to His covenant promises to His people.
David's lifelong yearning to build God a house, thwarted by his wars, is passed to his son Solomon, highlighting the continuity of God's purposes through generations.
~1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
The period of the Judges ends, and Israel demands a king. Saul is anointed, marking the transition to a monarchy.
~1010 BC
David Becomes King of Israel
After a long struggle and time as a fugitive, David unites the tribes and is crowned king over all Israel.
~1007 BC
Ark of the Covenant Brought to Jerusalem
David brings the Ark, the symbol of God's presence, to Jerusalem, establishing the city as the religious and political center.
~1005 BC
David Desires to Build the Temple
David expresses his deep desire to build a permanent dwelling for the Ark and God's presence, but is told by God he cannot.
c. 970 BC— this verse
David Charges Solomon to Build the Temple
Near the end of his life, David explicitly commissions his son Solomon to undertake the monumental task of building the Temple for the LORD.
c. 970-931 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple Construction
Solomon succeeds David, oversees the construction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, and reigns during a golden age for Israel.
This passage echoes David's charge to Solomon, highlighting David's desire to build a temple for the Lord and Solomon's role in fulfilling that vision.
2 Samuel 7:12-13This passage shows God's promise to David that his son would build the house of the Lord, directly setting the stage for the charge given in 1 Chronicles 22:6.
1 Chronicles 28:9-10Here, David explicitly instructs Solomon about the importance of serving God wholeheartedly and understanding His ways, foundational principles for the temple-building project.
Deuteronomy 12:10-11This passage from the Law outlines God's instructions for where He would choose to establish His name, providing the theological basis for why a specific 'house' was to be built for the Lord.
David, a king who longed to build God's temple, instead passes the baton to Solomon with a direct charge, highlighting that sometimes God's will for us is to prepare for the work, not necessarily do it all ourselves. This isn't about David's personal ambition, but about faithfully entrusting the next step to the one God has chosen.
David, now old and recognizing his own time is short, gathers his son Solomon and the Israelite leaders. Having been forbidden by God to build the Temple himself, David passionately lays out the plan and entrusts Solomon with the immense task of constructing a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant. This sets the stage for Solomon's reign, where his primary, God-ordained mission will be to fulfill his father's dream.
David, now old and recognizing his own time is short, gathers his son Solomon and the Israelite leaders. Having been forbidden by God to build the Temple himself, David passionately lays out the plan and entrusts Solomon with the immense task of constructing a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant. This sets the stage for Solomon's reign, where his primary, God-ordained mission will be to fulfill his father's dream.
"Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel." — David, a king who longed to build God's temple, instead passes the baton to Solomon with a direct charge, highlighting that sometimes God's will for us is to prepare for the work, not necessarily *…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026