(20) And David said to Solomon his son.--The conclusion of the speech begun in 1 Chronicles 28:9-10, and interrupted by the transfer of the plans and designs (1 Chronicles 28:11-19).
Be strong and of good courage.--So 1 Chronicles 22:13. "And do" is added here, because the time for action is imminent.
Verses 20, 21. - These verses, as above seen, continue and close David's urgent and last exhortation to Solomon. He has now done with admonition and urgent appeal, but he offers prayer for him (1 Chronicles 29:19). Verse 20. - David in this verse enlarges upon the certainty of God's faithful steady presence with Solomon and support of his work to the end.
28:11-21 The temple must be a sacred thing, and a type of Christ; it must be framed by Divine teaching. Christ is the true temple, the church is the gospel temple, and heaven the everlasting temple; all are framed according to the Divine counsels, and the plan laid in the Divine wisdom, ordained before the world, for God's glory and our good. David gave this pattern to Solomon, that he might go by rule. Materials were provided for the most costly utensils of the temple. Directions were given which way to look for help in this great undertaking. Be not dismayed; God will help thee, and thou must look up to him in the first place. We may be sure that God, who owned our fathers, and carried them through the services of their day, will, in like manner, never leave us, while he has any work to do in us, or by us. Good work is likely to go on, when all concerned are hearty in furthering it. Let us hope in God's mercy; if we seek him, he will be found of us.
And David said to Solomon his son, be strong, and of good courage, and do it,.... See Gill on 1 Chronicles 28:10.
fear not, nor be dismayed; that thou shalt meet with any opposition in the work, or not be able to finish it for want of materials and workmen, or money to pay them:
for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; to guide and direct, prosper and succeed; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord God, my God, will be thy help:"
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee; a promise made to Joshua, and is applicable to every good man in whatsoever good work he is concerned, Joshua 1:5,
until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord; built the temple, and all the apartments of it, and courts belonging to it, and made and provided all the utensils and vessels necessary for the service and worship of God.
Be strong and of good courage.--So 1 Chronicles 22:13. "And do" is added here, because the time for action is imminent.
Fear not . . . forsake thee.--From Deuteronomy 31:6; Deuteronomy 31:8. (See also Joshua 1:5-6.)
My God.--Recalling, in a single word, all his own wonderful experience of the Divine Helper.
Fail.--Drop, let go, and so dismiss, desert.
Until.--The word implies nothing about the time beyond the expressed limit. (Comp. ws, Matthew 1:25.)
fear not, nor be dismayed; that thou shalt meet with any opposition in the work, or not be able to finish it for want of materials and workmen, or money to pay them:
for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; to guide and direct, prosper and succeed; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord God, my God, will be thy help:"
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee; a promise made to Joshua, and is applicable to every good man in whatsoever good work he is concerned, Joshua 1:5,
until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord; built the temple, and all the apartments of it, and courts belonging to it, and made and provided all the utensils and vessels necessary for the service and worship of God.