Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Chronicles 28:10
What does 1 Chronicles 28:10 mean?
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1 Chronicles 28:10
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David isn't just telling Solomon to "be strong and do it" because the task is hard; he's emphasizing that God's choosing of Solomon is the very reason he must be strong and do it. This isn't about Solomon's own ambition, but about his faithful response to God's empowerment and selection.
Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
King David, facing his end, is gathered with Israel's leaders and his son Solomon to pass on the torch for building the Temple. He's just recounted God's faithfulness and his own desire to build the house, but now he shifts to charge Solomon directly, urging him to rely on God's strength for the monumental task ahead. This is David's final, earnest plea for his successor to complete the sacred work God ordained.
David, facing his end, had a crucial message for his son Solomon. It wasn't just about building a temple; it was about understanding why Solomon was the one chosen.
Chosen by God
The verse opens with David's urgent plea: "Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you." This wasn't a casual election. God's choice for Solomon to build the temple was specific and purposeful. It's a reminder that when God calls us to a task, it's rooted in His sovereign will, not just human merit.
Strength to Obey
The second part, "be strong and do it," is the command that follows the revelation of God's choice. Knowing God has chosen you is the foundation for strength. Our strength doesn't come from our own abilities, but from the confidence that God equips those He calls. This is an invitation to step out in faith, knowing His power is at work within us for the task He's assigned.
Building a 'house for the sanctuary' sounds grand, but what does it truly mean for us today? David's charge to Solomon points to something deeper than just bricks and mortar.
The Sanctuary's Significance
The 'house for the sanctuary' refers to the magnificent Temple Solomon would build in Jerusalem. This wasn't just a building; it was to be the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. It was a physical manifestation of His covenant relationship with Israel and a place of worship and atonement.
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Our Spiritual Construction
For us today, the concept of 'building a house for God' takes on a spiritual dimension. As believers, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Our lives, our communities, and our churches are the 'sanctuaries' where God's presence resides. The call to 'be strong and do it' is therefore a call to live in a way that honors God's presence within us, building up His kingdom and reflecting His glory through our actions and our faith.
Understand the original words
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
A consecrated place or holy site set apart for the worship of God, representing His holiness and the need for purity in approaching Him.
David, unable to build the Temple himself due to his involvement in warfare, passionately prepares his son Solomon for the sacred task. This verse captures David's earnest plea to Solomon, urging him to obey God and carry out the monumental project with courage.
c. 1015 BC
David Anointed King
After years as a fugitive and warrior, David is finally established as the unified king over all Israel. His reign marks a new era of stability and national identity.
c. 1010 BC
Ark Brought to Jerusalem
David brings the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence, to Jerusalem, envisioning it as the spiritual center of his kingdom. This sets the stage for building a permanent dwelling for God.
c. 1005 BC
David Plans the Temple
God tells David he will not build the Temple himself but that his son will. However, David meticulously prepares plans, materials, and personnel for its construction, gathering resources for this massive project.
c. 970 BC— this verse
David's Farewell Charge
Near the end of his long reign, David gathers Israel's leaders and his son Solomon. He recounts God's faithfulness, encourages Solomon to seek God, and passes on the vision and responsibility for building the Temple.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Anointed King
Solomon is publicly acclaimed and anointed king, receiving the charge from David and the divine assurance that he will succeed his father. He inherits a stable kingdom and a monumental task.
c. 966 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon, now firmly established as king, begins the construction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling David's lifelong dream and God's plan. It takes seven years to build.
This passage echoes the command to be strong and courageous, emphasizing God's presence with those He has chosen for a significant task, just as David told Solomon.
1 Kings 8:6This verse highlights the completion of the house that Solomon was chosen to build, showing the fulfillment of the charge given in 1 Chronicles 28:10.
2 Chronicles 29:11King Hezekiah reminds the priests and Levites of their sacred duty and the covenant God made with them, mirroring the seriousness and importance of the task assigned to Solomon.
Philippians 4:13This New Testament passage offers a powerful reminder that strength to accomplish God's will doesn't come from us, but from Christ who empowers us, giving modern context to the divine enablement needed for such a monumental task.
David isn't just telling Solomon to "be strong and do it" because the task is hard; he's emphasizing that God's choosing of Solomon is the very reason he must be strong and do it. This isn't about Solomon's own ambition, but about his faithful response to God's empowerment and selection.
King David, facing his end, is gathered with Israel's leaders and his son Solomon to pass on the torch for building the Temple. He's just recounted God's faithfulness and his own desire to build the house, but now he shifts to charge Solomon directly, urging him to rely on God's strength for the monumental task ahead. This is David's final, earnest plea for his successor to complete the sacred work God ordained.
King David, facing his end, is gathered with Israel's leaders and his son Solomon to pass on the torch for building the Temple. He's just recounted God's faithfulness and his own desire to build the house, but now he shifts to charge Solomon directly, urging him to rely on God's strength for the monumental task ahead. This is David's final, earnest plea for his successor to complete the sacred work God ordained.
"Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”" — David isn't just telling Solomon to "be strong and do it" because the task is hard; he's emphasizing that God's choosing of Solomon is the very reason he must be strong and do it. This isn't about…
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Last reviewed October 2026