“Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.”
My Notes
What Does 1 Chronicles 22:11 Mean?
"Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee." David's charge to Solomon combines blessing ("the LORD be with thee"), expectation ("prosper and build"), and accountability ("as he hath said of thee"). The blessing isn't unconditional — it's connected to the building assignment. Prosperity is tied to purpose: you'll prosper as you build what God told you to build.
The phrase "as he hath said of thee" reminds Solomon that this isn't David's project being handed down — it's God's assignment spoken over Solomon specifically. The temple isn't David's dream for Solomon. It's God's word about Solomon. David is simply reminding his son of what God already declared.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What has God 'said of you' that someone in your life needs to remind you of?
- 2.How do you distinguish between your own dreams for someone and what God has actually declared about them?
- 3.Where is your prosperity disconnected from the purpose God attached it to?
- 4.What blessing do you need to speak over someone who's stepping into their calling?
Devotional
My son. The LORD be with thee. Build what he told you to build.
David's charge is a father passing the baton — but the baton isn't David's. It's God's. The temple assignment didn't originate with David's ambition. It originated with God's word spoken specifically about Solomon. David is reminding his son: this isn't my dream for you. This is God's assignment for you. I'm just the one delivering the message.
The best thing a parent can do isn't impose their own vision on their child. It's help their child discover what God has already said about them. David doesn't say: I want you to build this temple because it's important to me. He says: build the house of the LORD thy God, as HE hath said of THEE. The emphasis is on God's word and Solomon's identity. Not David's legacy.
The prosperity is connected to the purpose: prosper and build. Not prosper and relax. Not prosper and accumulate. The prosperity has a direction — it flows toward the building. God's provision for your life is connected to God's assignment for your life. When you're building what he told you to build, the resources arrive. When you're building something else, the prosperity disconnects from its purpose.
"The LORD be with thee." David can't guarantee Solomon's success. He can't control the outcome. But he can speak this blessing: may God's presence be your constant companion as you do what he called you to do. That's the blessing every parent should speak over every child: not my plans for you, but God's presence with you.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Now, my son, the Lord be with thee, &c. Or "shall be with thee" (r), as some; and if it be as a prayer, it was no doubt…
Though Solomon was young and tender, he was capable of receiving instructions, which his father accordingly gave him,…
David's Charge to Solomon
7. said to Solomon, My son R.V. said to Solomon his son (so C'thîb); A.V. follows the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture