1 Chronicles 28:8, commentary and pictures

Near the end of his life and reign, though physical weakness had made his personal attendance unexpected, David addressed the people for the last time with inspiration and more than his wonted fervor and power to deliver his dying solemn charge to those bearing the burden of God's work in his day. He had summoned to Jerusalem the princes of Israel with representative men from all parts of the kingdom, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies and the captains over thousands and hundreds, the stewards over the substance and possession of the king and his sons with the officers and the mighty and valiant men. They were called to receive in trust the costly materials he had gathered for the temple and to secure their concurrence and support in the great work to be accomplished. He told them of his own cherished desire to build a house for the ark as the symbol of God's presence, and of the Lord's direction that the work should be committed to Solomon his son, with the divine assurance that Solomon should build His house and courts because God had chosen him to be His son and would be his father and would establish his kingdom forever if constant in doing His commandments and judgments. David could advise and encourage his son from experience, but Solomon himself must carry out the construction.

In the sight of all Israel as the congregation of the Lord and in the audience of God, with the congregation and God as witnesses, he charged them publicly and before God to keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord their God. To keep is to hold strictly to God's law, and to seek is to pursue obedience to every command. Obedience was presented as the condition for possessing the good land, for continuing to enjoy it and remaining in it, and for leaving it for an inheritance for children after them forever. Receiving God's promised blessings requires fidelity and obedience to His commandments, and on that obedience depended both the lasting inheritance of future generations and the permanent establishment of the kingdom.

The charge was driven by deep concern that Solomon not repeat David's grievous sins, over which he grieved because they stained his character, emboldened Israel to treat evil lightly, and provoked other nations to blaspheme God. He had learned that God never excuses wrongdoing but punishes a leader of His people even more severely because of greater responsibility. After delivering the charge publicly in God's presence, he thanked God for moving his own heart and the people's hearts to give willingly and prayed God to keep the people loyal and to give Solomon a perfect heart to keep God's commands.

The verse sets forth principles of piety and justice and high standards of leadership that were to guide rulers among God's people in the time of Moses and of David. Those same Old Testament standards are also to be followed by those given oversight in the gospel dispensation, including the newly organized church. The charge applies to God's people in every age, especially those entrusted with responsibilities in His work and those rebuked for unfaithfulness. They are to humble themselves before God, heed His requirements, and do His will with heart, mind and soul, being tested and showing genuine experience and dependable character fit for sacred service, and thereby become representatives of His kingdom.