Daily Devotional: 1 Chronicles 28:20 – Be Strong and Do It

The Biblical Setting of 1 Chronicles 28:20

1 Chronicles 28:20 records David’s charge to his son Solomon: “David said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and act. Do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for Jehovah God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished.’”

This event took place near the end of David’s reign, around 1037 B.C.E., when he was making preparations for Solomon to succeed him as king and to build the temple in Jerusalem. David had received divine instructions regarding the temple’s design (1 Chron. 28:11–19) but was not permitted to build it himself because he had shed much blood in war (1 Chron. 22:8). Instead, Solomon, a man of peace, was chosen to carry out this sacred task.

This verse is more than a father’s encouragement to his son—it is a deeply theological statement rooted in the covenant promises of Jehovah. It emphasizes courage, faithfulness, and perseverance in God’s work.

The Command: “Be Strong and Courageous”

David’s words mirror the charge Jehovah gave to Joshua centuries earlier before he led Israel into Canaan (Deut. 31:7–8; Josh. 1:6–9). Strength and courage are not just physical traits; in biblical usage, they describe the inner fortitude to remain faithful and obedient in the face of opposition, uncertainty, or difficulty.

David’s directive to “act” makes this courage practical. Strength without action is wasted potential. God’s work demands decisive steps forward, even when obstacles seem daunting. Solomon was about to undertake one of the largest building projects in Israel’s history, requiring vast resources, thousands of workers, and precise adherence to God’s design. The temptation to procrastinate or shrink back was real, and David’s command left no room for hesitation.

God’s Presence as the Basis for Courage

The assurance “Jehovah God, my God, is with you” forms the foundation for the command. Courage in Scripture is never rooted in self-confidence but in God’s presence and promises. David had experienced this reality throughout his own life—whether facing Goliath, fleeing from Saul, or ruling Israel in turbulent times. He could speak with authority because he knew firsthand that Jehovah’s presence guarantees the success of His purposes.

The promise “He will not fail you nor forsake you” echoes Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 and Hebrews 13:5. This is not a generic reassurance; it is a covenantal commitment from God to His servant engaged in His work. The temple was not Solomon’s personal project—it was the house of Jehovah, the center of Israel’s worship. Since the work aligned with God’s will, Solomon could be certain that God would supply everything necessary to bring it to completion.

The Scope of the Task: “Until All the Work…Is Finished”

The phrase “until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished” emphasizes endurance. God’s presence was not just for the beginning stages but would remain until the entire project was completed. Faithfulness requires persistence, not just a strong start. Many falter because they lose heart midway through the task, but God calls His servants to finish what He assigns.

For Solomon, “the work” involved organizing Levites, preparing sacred vessels, overseeing skilled artisans, and ensuring that everything matched the pattern given by God. The magnitude of the project could have been overwhelming without this divine assurance.

Application for Today’s Believer

While we are not called to build a physical temple in Jerusalem, we are called to engage in the building up of God’s people—the spiritual temple made of “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:5). The same principles in David’s charge apply to every believer who seeks to serve God faithfully.

First, strength and courage are essential. The Christian life is not free from challenges—spiritual opposition, cultural pressures, personal weaknesses, and discouragement can easily cause one to falter. Yet the Word of God commands us to stand firm and act, not retreat.

Second, the certainty of God’s presence is our source of perseverance. Just as Solomon could rest in the knowledge that Jehovah was with him, we can trust Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). This is not a vague comfort but a concrete reality grounded in God’s unchanging nature and His covenant faithfulness.

Third, the commitment to finish the work is crucial. Many start with zeal but lose momentum when trials come. The Apostle Paul modeled perseverance, declaring near the end of his ministry, “I have fought the fine fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). God’s presence remains with His people until the work He has given them is fully accomplished.

Guarding Against Fear and Discouragement

David’s admonition “Do not be afraid nor be dismayed” addresses two of the greatest hindrances to faithfulness. Fear often focuses on potential threats—what might go wrong—while discouragement looks backward at past failures or current difficulties. Both drain spiritual strength. The antidote is to keep one’s eyes fixed on God’s character, promises, and purposes. Solomon’s confidence could rest in the fact that the God who had guided Israel for centuries would guide him as well.

A Pattern of Faithfulness Across Generations

This moment between David and Solomon highlights the importance of passing on faith and responsibility from one generation to the next. David had fought the battles that secured Israel’s peace; now Solomon would use that peace to build. The work of God’s kingdom often requires continuity—one person may prepare, another may build, and still another may maintain. The key is that each servant remains faithful in his or her appointed role, trusting God to bring about the ultimate fulfillment of His plan.

Conclusion

1 Chronicles 28:20 is both an ancient charge and a timeless reminder. God’s work calls for strength, courage, action, and perseverance, all rooted in the assurance of His unfailing presence. Like Solomon, we may face daunting tasks, but when the work is truly God’s, He will equip us to see it through to completion. The question is whether we will rise up, act, and remain steadfast until the task is finished.

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