David charges Solomon: "Now, my son, the Lord is with you; be strong and of good courage." The reassurance of divine presence combined with exhortation to courage suggests that Solomon faces psychological and practical challenges in inheriting the throne and undertaking the temple project. The invocation of "the Lord is with you" echoes commissioning formulas given to Joshua and other leaders, placing Solomon in a succession of divinely empowered figures. The call to courage may address both Solomon's personal anxiety about his fitness for rule and potential opposition from older brothers or powerful advisors who might question his qualifications. The conjunction of divine presence and human courage reflects the biblical understanding that faith requires active human response, not passive reliance on divine action alone. David's personal appeal to his son creates an intimate moment within the public assembly, modeling how royal authority combines formal succession with relational instruction. The verse positions Solomon as inheritor not just of a throne but of a relationship with the living God who promises presence and power.

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