with a perfect heart] i.e. with a single, undivided heart; compare xii. 33 “they were not of double heart.” In 2 Chronicles xv. 17 the heart of king Asa is described as perfect, because he took no part in the idolatrous practices which prevailed in his day. Faithfulness to Jehovah, not moral perfection, is implied in phrases of this kind.
the Lord searcheth] Compare Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord’s detection of secret idolatry (Ezekiel viii.).
¹⁰Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
10. hath chosen thee] See on verse 5.
¹¹Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place[¹] of the mercy-seat:
[¹] Hebrew house.
11. the pattern] Compare verse 12; Exodus xxv. 9. The Temple, like the tabernacle, was to be constructed according to a pattern or model communicated by inspiration (see verse 19). A verbal description rather than a drawing is meant.
the porch] compare 2 Chronicles iii. 4; 1 Kings vi. 3.
the houses thereof] Compare 2 Chronicles xxxiv. 11. “Thereof” of course refers to the Temple as a whole, and by “houses” we must understand the various portions of the building.
the treasuries] A different Hebrew word from that used in verse 12. The inner treasuries mentioned here were for treasure; the outer treasuries (verse 11) were perhaps rather store-chambers.