This verse ends the quotation that began in verse 10.
Grant to Solomon my son: The word translated Grant is the ordinary word for “give” in Hebrew. It is in the imperative form, but some languages may require that it be softened somewhat in translation in order to avoid giving the impression that David is giving an order to God. This is frequently done by simply adding something like “please” or “I pray.”
With a whole heart: See the comments on 1 Chr 29.9.
He may keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes: Finding appropriate renderings for the synonyms commandments, testimonies, and statutes is a problem for some languages. Good News Translation combines these three nouns, saying “everything that you command.” It may be possible to find a different noun in the receptor language for each of the Hebrew nouns, but it is not necessary to do so since a clear distinction does not seem intended in this context. Testimonies renders a Hebrew noun based on a root meaning “to bear witness.” In his laws God bears witness to his purpose. The Hebrew word rendered statutes refers to authoritative statements, pronouncements of some kind (see the comments on 1 Chr 22.13). The same synonyms are found together in a number of other Old Testament passages, including Deut 6.17; 1 Kgs 2.3; and 2 Chr 34.31.
Performing all: Most versions take these words with what precedes; that is, David wants Solomon to perform all of God’s commandments. In some languages the idea here may be moved earlier in the translation; for example, Parole de Vie renders the first half of this verse as “Give to my son Solomon a heart entirely ready to respect all your commandments, your teachings and your laws, and to obey them.” But in the Hebrew text the words rendered performing all may also be linked to the last part of the verse; for example, the alternative translation in La Bible du Semeur for this verse reads “Give to my son Solomon an undivided heart that he may obey your commandments, your ordinances and your laws, and that he may carry out everything [necessary] to build the palace for which I have made all these preparations.” New American Bible is similar with “Give to my son Solomon a whole-hearted desire to keep your commandments, precepts, and statutes, that he may carry out all these plans and build the castle for which I have made provision.”
For palace see the comments on 1 Chr 29.1.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .