Be Strong and Do It: A Study of 1 Chronicles 28:20

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God’s Presence Strengthens the Obedient to Fulfill Their Biblically Guided Direction

“Then David said to Solomon his son: ‘Be strong and courageous and act. Do not be afraid and do not be terrified, for Jehovah God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you and He will not forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished.’” — 1 Chronicles 28:20

These words, spoken by King David near the end of his life (circa 970 B.C.E.), are not merely a farewell encouragement to his son Solomon. They are a public charge, a sacred commissioning, and a serious reminder that God’s assignments come with both responsibility and divine help.

David had desired to build the temple in Jerusalem, but because he was a man of war (1 Chronicles 28:3), that privilege would fall to his son. Still, David did all he could to prepare the plans, gather materials, and rally the people. But above all, he gave Solomon the most important tool: a faithful, unwavering charge to be courageous and obey the command of Jehovah.

This verse, spoken before a congregation of leaders and priests, reveals critical truths about spiritual leadership, divine support, and the demands of obedient service.

“Then David said to Solomon his son…”

The setting is solemn and public. David is not whispering advice in private—he is charging his son before the assembly of Israel’s leaders, including military commanders, temple officials, and tribal elders (1 Chronicles 28:1). His words are not casual sentiment. They carry royal weight, prophetic force, and covenantal clarity.

Solomon is young (1 Chronicles 29:1), inexperienced, and about to undertake the most significant building project in Israel’s history: the construction of the temple where Jehovah would dwell. This task is not architectural—it is spiritual. It involves not just logistics and engineering but divine precision, priestly structure, and covenant obedience.

David, aware of the pressures ahead, gives Solomon what he will need most: courage, clarity, and assurance that God’s presence is real and His Word sufficient.

“Be strong and courageous and act.”

These words echo earlier biblical exhortations. The same phrase was spoken by Moses to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6), and by Jehovah Himself to Joshua (Joshua 1:9). They are not motivational fluff—they are commandments for action rooted in faith.

The Hebrew phrase חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ (chazaq ve’ematz) means “be strong and firm” or “show strength and boldness.” This is not about inner potential. It is a call to active resolve, drawing upon divine strength rather than human ability.

The command “and act” emphasizes that faith is not passive. God’s calling on Solomon is not for contemplation, theorizing, or endless planning. It is to begin the work. Courage must translate into movement. Obedience requires construction, leadership, oversight, and decisiveness.

Too many fail to accomplish God’s purposes because they hesitate, delay, or fear failure. David commands Solomon: be strong—and do it.

“Do not be afraid and do not be terrified…”

The Hebrew phrase here contains two different expressions for fear—אַל־תִּירָא וְאַל־תֵּחָת, “do not fear and do not be dismayed.” The first word, tira’, speaks of general fear or anxiety; the second, techat, suggests being shattered, discouraged, or emotionally undone.

David knows that the magnitude of the task will tempt Solomon to fear. The temple is no small project. The nation will watch. The materials are precious. The instructions are divine. The margin for error is zero. Yet David does not tell Solomon to toughen up in his own strength—he reminds him of something far greater: Jehovah God, my God, is with you.

This is the key to true courage: not confidence in self, but assurance in God. The phrase “my God” is personal. David speaks not of a distant deity, but of the covenant-keeping God whom he had served, trusted, and obeyed. Now he assures Solomon that this same God would be with him—faithfully, constantly, and powerfully.

“For Jehovah God, my God, is with you.”

Here the name Jehovah Elohim is used, affirming both God’s covenant faithfulness (Jehovah) and His sovereign power (Elohim). David does not base Solomon’s strength on Solomon’s gifts, wisdom, or potential. He bases it entirely on the presence of Jehovah Himself.

This is the core of all divine assignments: God does not abandon those whom He calls. When God gives a task—whether building the temple, leading a people, raising a family, preaching the truth, or resisting temptation—He also gives His abiding presence to equip, sustain, and carry the servant through.

The promise here is not mystical or abstract. It is specific. God’s presence will not be intermittent. He will remain present until the task is completed.

“He will not leave you and He will not forsake you…”

These are two powerful assurances. The first, “not leave” (Hebrew: lo ya’azov’cha) means God will not release, abandon, or let go of Solomon. The second, “not forsake” (Hebrew: ve’lo ya’azveka) adds the idea of not neglecting or ignoring.

This language echoes the words of Moses to Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6) and Jehovah to Joshua (Joshua 1:5). It becomes a foundational truth in Scripture: when God is with you, He does not withdraw halfway. He stays until the mission is fulfilled.

For Solomon, this meant he would not have to rely on human strength, political alliances, or military power. The construction of the temple would succeed because God would not leave him alone in the work.

This assurance is not a blanket guarantee for success regardless of obedience. It presumes faithfulness and submission to God’s commands. If Solomon obeyed, God would remain. But if he turned away, judgment would follow (1 Chronicles 28:9). God’s presence sustains only those who walk in His way.

“Until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished.”

The phrase “all the work” (Hebrew: kol-melekhet ha’avodah) signifies the entire assigned task, not just partial effort. God is not guiding Solomon to begin and then quit. He is to finish what God ordained. This includes construction, furnishing, organizing the priesthood, and establishing the worship systems.

The “house of Jehovah” refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the place where God’s presence would dwell among His people. Building it was not merely about architecture—it was about honoring God, enabling right worship, and fulfilling the covenant plan.

David does not minimize the task. He reminds Solomon that the work will be long, detailed, and demanding. But he also reminds him that God’s presence will remain until the very last step is completed, so long as Solomon walks in obedience.

Application: Finish the Work with Courage and Faith

God’s assignments are to be acted on, not just admired
Obedience is not about intention. It is about movement. David told Solomon to be strong—and to act.
Fear is conquered by God’s presence, not self-confidence
Human strength fails. But Jehovah, the covenant-keeping God, never abandons those who obey Him.
Leadership begins with obedience to God, not popularity with people
Solomon’s success would depend not on Israel’s applause, but on personal submission to God’s commands.
God stays with His servants until the task is finished
God does not withdraw halfway. His presence sustains until the obedient servant completes the biblically guided direction.
All of life’s work must be aimed at serving the house of Jehovah
Your talents, time, labor, and plans must all support the spiritual building of God’s people and purpose.

Conclusion: Courage Is the Fruit of Confidence in God

David’s final charge to Solomon was not a motivational speech—it was a commission grounded in God’s covenant and Word. The task was great. The work would be long. The responsibility was heavy. But David’s words were simple and eternal:

“Be strong and courageous and act… for Jehovah God, my God, is with you.”

That same charge applies to every faithful believer today. Whatever task God has assigned to you—whether raising children, leading in the church, standing for truth, evangelizing the lost, or enduring suffering—do it with courage, because Jehovah is with you.

And He will not leave you. He will not forsake you. Finish the work.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).