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1 Chronicles 22:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 22:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build a house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build a house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
1 Chronicles 22:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for Jehovah must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for Jehovah, the God of Israel.
7And David said to Solomon his son, As for me, it was in my heart to build a house unto the name of Jehovah my God.
8But the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build a house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days:
10he shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
11Now, my son, Jehovah be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of Jehovah thy God, as he hath spoken concerning thee.
← 1 Chronicles 22:71 Chronicles 22:9 →
← Full Chapter 22 1 Chronicles Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the word of the Lord came to me, etc.] The word of prophecy, as the Targum, by the mouth of Nathan the prophet: saying; as follows, which though not expressed in the book of Samuel before referred to, is here recorded by divine inspiration: thou hast shed blood abundantly; Kimchi thinks this refers to the blood of Uriah, and those gallant men that were slain with him, and to the priests slain by the order of Saul, which David was the occasion of, or accidental cause of, (<092222>1 Samuel 22:22) and to many good men among the Gentiles; though it was the intention of the Lord to consume the wicked among them, that they might not prevail over Israel: and hast made great wars: with the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The word of the Lord came to me ... - Not by Nathan 1 Chronicles 17:4-15, but on some other occasion 1 Chronicles 28:3. On the bloody character of David’s wars, see 2 Samuel 8:2, 2 Samuel 8:5; 2Sa 10:18; 2 Samuel 12:31; and 1 Kings 11:16. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Shed blood - Not that wars are simply unlawful, but to teach us that the church (whereof the temple was an illustrious type) should be built by Christ, the prince of peace, Isa 9:6, and that it should be gathered and built up, not by might or power but by God's spirit, Zac 4:6, and by the preaching the Gospel of peace. David therefore was less fit for that service, than one who had not been called to such bloody work. Likewise by setting him aside for this reason, God shewed how precious human life is to him. 1 Chronicles 22:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:8 God did not allow David to build the Temple because he had shed so much blood (cp. 1 Kgs 5:3-4). David’s wars were not unethical, and God had blessed and supported them. However, David had been tainted with a kind of ceremonial uncleanness from the blood he had shed and the deaths he had caused in battle (see 1 Chr 28:3; cp. Gen 4:10-12; Lev 17:3-4; Deut 21:1-9; Matt 27:24-25). Accordingly, he could not build a holy sanctuary for the Lord.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou hast shed: Ch1 28:3; Num 31:20, Num 31:24; Kg1 5:3 thou shalt not: Ch1 17:4-10; Sa2 7:5-11 1 Chronicles 22:9”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Chronicles 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification