(19) To seek the Lord.--Hebrew, "to seek unto the Lord," as in 2Chronicles 17:4; Ezra 4:2. The older construction, with a simple accusative, occurred in 1Chronicles 16:12; 1Chronicles 21:30.

Arise therefore, and build.--Rather, And arise ye, and build. The second clause explains how the first was to be carried out. Building the Lord a fair and noble sanctuary was equivalent to seeking His favour. Professions cost nothing, and they were not to serve the Lord "without cost" (1Chronicles 21:24).

To bring the ark.--From its temporary abode on Mount Zion (1Chronicles 15:1).

The holy vessels of God--e.g., the altar of burnt offering.

That is to be built.--The same participal form as in 1Chronicles 22:9 : "shall be born."

Verse 19. - To bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God. To settle these in a fixed home had now been of a long time the consuming desire of David's heart (so 1 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Chronicles 5:2-4). Into the house that is to be built. The preposition ל instead of אֶל, before "the house," is to be noticed here (1 Chronicles 25:26; Nehemiah 10:35). Also the Niphal participle, הַגִּבְנֶהַ, here translated "that is to be built," is to be noticed. The meaning of David would be better met probably thus: "Arise, build the sanctuary... to bring the ark... into the house (then) builded to the Name of the Lord."

22:17-19 Whatever is done towards rendering the word of God generally known and attended to, is like bringing a stone, or an ingot of gold, towards erecting the temple. This should encourage us when we grieve that we do not see more fruit of our labours; much good may appear after our death, which we never thought of. Let us not then be weary of well doing. The work is in the hands of the Prince of peace. As he, the Author and Finisher of the work, is pleased to employ us as his instruments, let us arise and be doing, encouraging and helping one another; working by his rule, after his example, in dependence on his grace, assured that he will be with us, and that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God,.... His honour and glory, most sincerely and cordially, and to the utmost of their power:

arise ye, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God; assist therein, and encourage the work as much as they were able, without delay:

to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord; which was now in a tent of David's erecting and pitching:

and the holy vessels of God: which were in the tabernacle at Gibeon: into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord: that so they might be together, and made use of; which in times past had been separated, and much neglected.