Now therefore seeing the Lord hath chosen thee to build the house of the sanctuary, take courage, and do it.
רְאֵ֣ה ׀ עַתָּ֗ה כִּֽי־יְהוָ֛ה בָּ֧חַר בְּךָ֛ לִבְנֽוֹת־בַּ֥יִת לַמִּקְדָּ֖שׁ חֲזַ֥ק וַעֲשֵֽׂה׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Consider that the Lord has selected you in my place, meaning He has favored you over me, so that you may establish a dwelling for His holiness, be steadfast, and complete in your task. I had the intention of constructing the temple, but the Lord has entrusted this responsibility to you. Thus, with utmost care, carry out the commands you have received.
Vision. Solomon was called to focus on the divine task assigned to him, which was the construction of the temple. This endeavor is sacred and should be approached with reverence and holiness. The concerning parable is particularly fitting to reflect upon during the celebration of the majority of the heir to the All-Russian throne, given the parallels between his circumstances and those of Solomon. When Solomon was named heir to David, he was still quite young, having just reached maturity at no more than 17 years of age. Similarly, the heir to the throne of All Russia assumes his responsibilities at a youthful stage, at the cusp of adolescence and manhood.
Solomon’s claim to the throne was affirmed through God's selection, and it is evident that God's choice also underpins the succession to the All-Russian throne through primogeniture. As the heir to David, Solomon bore both the privilege and the obligation to remain devoted to the God of his ancestors and to uphold His commandments. This same responsibility is laid upon the heir to the throne of All Russia. In this context, the Holy Church, marking his transition into adulthood, beseeches the Lord that the fear of God, respect for his parents, dedication to the well-being of the Orthodox Church and State, and compassion for the people may flourish within him. In turn, he himself, pledging his loyalty to the unique service of his role as heir, earnestly prayed to the Lord God, King of Kings, “Guide, instruct and govern me in the great service destined for me; let the wisdom that sits at Thy throne be with me; send it from Thy holy heavens, that I may understand what is acceptable before Thy eyes, what is right according to Thy commandments. Let my heart enter into Thy hand.”
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS