6 He said to me: ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.’ 

    8“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. 
 1 Chronicles 28:6-8  (NIV)

     David continues to address all the officials and the warriors of Israel. He again affirms to the people that God had chosen his son Solomon to be the next king, and Solomon would be the one who would build God’s house and courts. He tells them that God also promised to establish his kingdom forever provided he followed God’s commands and laws.

     Who was Solomon? He was the son of Bathsheba, the woman David had stolen from Uriah getting her pregnant. David eventually arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle as an attempt to cover his guilt. After this child was born he became sick and died. Solomon was the second son Bathsheba bore for David. (See 2 Samuel 11 & 12:1-25)

     I find in this passage a great example of how God is able to redeem our mistakes. David was not perfect, but when he did sin, he became convicted of the sin and repented. The repentance was real, and consequently, God was still able to use David in a mighty way.     Lord, bless our understanding of these verses. Help us to appreciate the importance of following you wholeheartedly if we are to expect your blessings.

Copyright © 2008 by Janice Green

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.