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1 Chronicles 28 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Loyalty of heart.
I once had a pastor give me advice on how to preach a sermon. His main point was, speak to the mind and speak to the heart. Truth and grace should penetrate both our intellect and our emotions. This is essentially how David is instructing Solomon.
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10 “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.”
1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NASB
Serve Him with a whole heart and willing mind. Now we all know Solomon had the mental part figured out. By the grace of God, he was granted unfathomable wisdom. However, it would be his heart that would go astray.
“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.” Solomon held fast to these in love.”
1 Kings 11:1-2 NASB
Solomon gave his heart to foreign women. They stole him from God. Because of Solomon’s choices, exactly what David warned against came to pass
He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. 4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
1 Kings 11:3-4 NASB
Although David was not perfect, he did show a repentant heart. He was loyal to God and trusted Him as his Rock and Fortress. There is a lot of conviction here. Isn’t it interesting that Solomon possessed incredible intellectual knowledge yet still failed in his decision-making. This fact alone shows that intellect is simply not enough! It is only part of the equation.
Even though many of us know the right way to live, our hearts must also align to passionately live out that conviction. Whatever holds our hearts will control our behavior. Good intentions will not cut it. Many of us feel that our hearts will never turn to serve God will everything we have, however, this is a lie. He has given us all the resources we need to serve Him both intellectually and emotionally!