1 Chronicles – Chapter 22

Old Testament19 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Chronicles 22 opens with the words: "Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel." The chapter centers on David, Solomon and Moses. Across its 19 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and courage in the face of fear. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel.

2And he commanded to gather together all the proselytes of the land of Israel, and out of them he appointed stonecutters to hew stones and polish them, to build the house of God.

3And David prepared in abundance iron for the nails of the gates, and for the closures and joinings: and of brass an immense weight.

4And the cedar trees were without number, which the Sidonians, and Tyrians brought to David.

5And David said: Solomon my son is very young and tender, and the house which I would have to be built to the Lord, must be such as to be renowned in all countries: therefore I will prepare him necessaries. And therefore before his death he prepared all the charges.

6And he called for Solomon his son: and commanded him to build a house to the Lord the God of Israel.

7And David said to Solomon: My son, it was my desire to have built a house to the name of the Lord my God.

8But the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Thou hast shed much blood, and fought many battles, so thou cannot not build house to my name, after shedding so much blood before me:

9The son, that shall be born to thee, shall be a most quiet man: for I will make him rest from all his enemies round about: and therefore he shall be called Peaceable: and I will give peace and quietness to Israel all his days.

10He shall build a house to my name, and he shall be a son to me, and I will be a father to him: and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

11Now then, my son, the Lord be with thee, and do thou prosper, and build the house to the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken of thee.

12The Lord also give thee wisdom and understanding, that thou mayest be able to rule Israel, and to keep the law of the Lord thy God.

13For then thou shalt be able to prosper, if thou keep the commandments, and judgments, which the Lord commanded Moses to teach Israel: take courage and act manfully, fear not, nor be dismayed.

14Behold I in my poverty have prepared the charges of the house of the Lord, of gold a hundred thousand talents, and of silver a million of talents: but of brass, and of iron there is no weight, for the abundance surpasseth all account: timber also and stones I have prepared for all the charges.

15Thou hast also workmen in abundance, hewers of stones, and masons, and carpenters, and of all trades the most skilful in their work,

16In gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, whereof there is no number. Arise then, and be doing, and the Lord will be with thee.

17David also charged all the princes of Israel, to help Solomon his son,

18Saying: You see, that the Lord your God is with you, and hath given you rest round about, and hath delivered all your enemies into your hands, and the land is subdued before the Lord, and before his people.

19Give therefore your hearts and your souls, to seek the Lord your God and arise, and build a sanctuary to the Lord God, that the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the vessels consecrated to the Lord, may be brought into the house, which is built to the name of the Lord.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 22

Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel.

1 Chronicles 22:1

And he called for Solomon his son: and commanded him to build a house to the Lord the God of Israel.

1 Chronicles 22:6

The Lord also give thee wisdom and understanding, that thou mayest be able to rule Israel, and to keep the law of the Lord thy God.

1 Chronicles 22:12

Give therefore your hearts and your souls, to seek the Lord your God and arise, and build a sanctuary to the Lord God, that the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the vessels consecrated to the Lord, may be brought into the house, which is built to the name of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 22:19

Historical Context

1 Chronicles addresses the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 22 of 29 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 19 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David, Solomon and Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel." The final verse reads: "Give therefore your hearts and your souls, to seek the Lord your God and arise, and build a sanctuary to the Lord God,…" In terms of historical background, Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of David's legacy and Temple preparation. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2632).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

David6 mentionsSolomon4 mentionsMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

1 Chronicles Chapter 22 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). Here the believer is invited to ponder gratitude as the foundation of prayer.

May your reading of 1 Chronicles Chapter 22 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how Worship is central to God's people applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 22 about?

1 Chronicles 22 contains 19 verses. It opens with "Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel." and closes with "Give therefore your hearts and your souls, to seek the Lord your God and arise, and build a sanctuary to the Lord God,…". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 22?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then David said: This is the house of God, And this is the altar for the holocaust of Israel." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 22?

This chapter mentions David, Solomon, Moses.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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