I Chronicles 29:18
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O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes,.... All the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, even to observe them cordially and sincerely: and to do all those things; he had suggested to him particularly: and to build the palace for the which I have made provision; as before declared.
Open source ↗David has said what he had to say to Solomon. But he had something more to say to the congregation before he parted with them. I. He pressed them to contribute, according to their ability, towards the building and furnishing of the temple (Ch1 29:1-5). II. They made their presents accordingly with great generosity (Ch1 29:6-9). III. David offered up solemn prayers and praises to God upon that occasion (Ch1 29:10-20), with sacrifices (Ch1 29:21, Ch1 29:22). IV. Solomon was hereupon enthroned, with great joy and magnificence (Ch1 29:23-25). V. David, soon after this finished his course (Ch1 29:26-30). And it is hard to say which shines brighter here, the setting sun or the rising sun.
Open source ↗29:18-19 David did not ask God to grant power, victory, or riches, or for the establishment of Solomon’s kingdom. Instead he asked God to make the people of Israel, and Solomon in particular, always want to obey the Lord. Gaining this kind of heart attitude is a gift from the Lord; success and prosperity are secondary.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love.
You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.