1 Chronicles 29
1 Chronicles 29 records the late years of King David’s reign, the preparations for building the temple and the people’s dedication, David’s final prayer and Solomon’s accession, and David’s death. This chapter is an important turning point in Israel’s history, depicting a climactic moment of faith and devotion of the Israelite community to build God’s temple, along with the peak expression of King David’s trust and confession.
1verseDavid the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
2verseNow I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, the bronze for the things of bronze, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, also onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
3verseIn addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house:
4verseeven three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses;
5verseof gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself today to the LORD?”
6verseThen the princes of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king’s work, offered willingly;
7verseand they gave for the service of God’s house of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, of silver ten thousand talents, of bronze eighteen thousand talents, and of iron one hundred thousand talents.
8versePeople with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the LORD’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
9verseThen the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
10verseTherefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
11verseYours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
12verseBoth riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all!
13verseNow therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.
14verseBut who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given you of your own.
15verseFor we are strangers before you and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining.
16verseLORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own.
17verseI know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.
18verseLORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you;
19verseand give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.”
20verseThen David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God!” All the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.
21verseThey sacrificed sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel,
22verseand ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.
23verseThen Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
24verseAll the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of King David submitted themselves to Solomon the king.
25verseThe LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and gave to him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
26verseNow David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
27verseThe time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
28verseHe died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.
29verseNow the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer,
30versewith all his reign and his might, and the events that involved him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the lands.
Preparation and Dedication for the Building of the Temple (Verses 1-9)
Because Solomon is still young and inexperienced, David once again makes it clear that building the temple is a major task. He encourages the people to offer gifts willingly, not only from his own possessions but also from theirs. Throughout this process, the people’s hearts are shown as turning toward God, with an emphasis on everyone joining in the dedication with joy.
David’s Prayer and Praise to God (Verses 10-19)
Before the entire assembly, David exalts and praises God, confessing that everything belongs to God. David’s prayer is filled with humility and gratitude, as he acknowledges that even all the offerings he and the people brought were also God’s. After that, he earnestly prays for Solomon, the new king, that his heart would be purified so that he could follow God wholeheartedly.
Solomon’s Accession and David’s Death (Verses 20-30)
Now, David praises God together with all the people and elevates his son Solomon to the throne. The people also obey with joy, and David ends his life peacefully. David’s achievements and the whole of his life are briefly summarized, and with his death, 1 Chronicles comes to a close.
Points to Reflect On
- You can reflect on the meaning of a heart of dedication for building the temple and the joy that is freely offered.
- Through David’s prayer, you can think about a posture of humility and gratitude that acknowledges that everything comes from God.
- Reflect on the importance of passing down faith to the next generation (Solomon) and what our mindset should be as we prepare for it.
Apply to Yourself
- When I offer my time, possessions, and heart, I check whether I’m giving with a willing and joyful attitude.
- I examine whether I recognize and live as though everything in my life is not my own, but something God has entrusted to me for a time.
- From the place and role I’ve been given, I think about what kind of example and dedication I should show for the next generation, and I look for a direction to apply to my life.
This is the last chapter of 1 Chronicles.