1 Chronicles 29
Gifts for Building the Temple
1David 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.
2Now 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.
3In 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:
4even 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;
5of 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?”
6Then 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;
7and 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.
8People with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the LORD’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
9Then 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.
David's Prayer
10Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
11Yours, 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.
12Both 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!
13Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.
14But 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.
15For 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.
16LORD 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.
17I 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.
18LORD, 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;
19and 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.”
20Then 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.
Solomon Anointed King and David's Death
21They 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,
22and 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.
23Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
24All the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of King David submitted themselves to Solomon the king.
25The 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.
26Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
27The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
28He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.
29Now 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,
30with all his reign and his might, and the events that involved him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the lands.
David makes his final public address, calling for generous contributions to build the temple and setting an example through his own lavish personal donation. The people respond with overwhelming generosity, prompting David to offer a magnificent prayer acknowledging God's sovereignty and the temporary nature of human stewardship. The chapter concludes with Solomon's formal anointing as king and David's peaceful death after a long and prosperous reign.
Context
This chapter serves as the climactic conclusion to David's reign in Chronicles, transitioning from his temple preparations to Solomon's succession as the temple builder.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-9David's Appeal and the People's Generous ResponseDavid challenges the assembly to contribute to the temple, leading by example with his personal wealth, and the people respond with extraordinary generosity.
- 10-19David's Prayer of Praise and HumilityDavid offers a profound prayer acknowledging God's sovereignty, the temporary nature of human life, and expressing gratitude for the people's willing hearts.
- 20-25Solomon's Anointing and CoronationThe assembly worships and celebrates as Solomon is formally anointed king for the second time, receiving honor and allegiance from all Israel.
- 26-30David's Death and LegacyThe chronicler summarizes David's forty-year reign and his peaceful death, noting the comprehensive records kept of his accomplishments.
Gifts for Building the Temple
29:1–29:9David announces his personal contributions for the temple and calls for voluntary offerings from the leaders. The people respond with generous gifts of gold, silver, and precious materials, bringing great joy to all involved.
person_contrast
David transforms from Israel's warrior-king into a temple fundraiser, personally donating 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of silver before soliciting voluntary contributions from his officials.
David's Prayer
29:10–29:20David offers a prayer of praise and blessing before the assembly, acknowledging God's sovereignty and expressing humility about the offerings prepared for the temple. He prays for Solomon to have a perfect heart to keep God's commandments and build the temple.
person_contrast
David's final public prayer uniquely combines divine sovereignty language ("Yours is the kingdom") with radical self-diminishment ("we are strangers and sojourners"), reversing his typical royal authority themes.
Solomon Anointed King and David's Death
29:21–29:30The people offer sacrifices and anoint Solomon as king for the second time, with all Israel submitting to his authority. David dies at a good old age after reigning forty years, and Solomon takes his place as king.
person_contrast
David's final appearance in Chronicles uniquely pairs his death with massive sacrificial offerings (3,000 animals), creating the only biblical narrative where royal succession is simultaneously celebrated through both sacrifice and mourning.
1 Chronicles 29:1
1 Chronicles 22:5lexicalDavid said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magn…
2 Chronicles 13:7lexicalWorthless men were gathered to him, wicked fellows who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when…
1 Kings 11:28lexicalThe man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, and he put him in charge…
1 Chronicles 29:2
1 Chronicles 22:14lexicalNow, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million tal…
Isaiah 60:17lexicalFor bronze I will bring gold; for iron I will bring silver; for wood, bronze, and for stones, iron. I will also make pea…
Ezekiel 28:13lexicalYou were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, s…
1 Chronicles 22:3lexicalDavid prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the couplings, and bronze in abundance…
1 Kings 10:10lexicalShe gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never ag…
1 Chronicles 29:3
Ecclesiastes 2:8lexicalI also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female…
1 Chronicles 29:4
1 Chronicles 22:14lexicalNow, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million tal…
2 Kings 5:5lexicalThe king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten tal…
Exodus 38:25lexicalThe silver of those who were counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-…
2 Kings 18:14lexicalHezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have offended you. Withdraw from me. That whic…
2 Chronicles 8:18lexicalHuram sent him ships and servants who had knowledge of the sea by the hands of his servants; and they came with the serv…
1 Chronicles 29:5
Exodus 35:35lexicalHe has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and…
Ezra 1:6lexicalAll those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with animals, and…
Isaiah 40:19lexicalA workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.
Jeremiah 10:9lexicalThere is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the engraver and of…
1 Chronicles 29:7
1 Chronicles 22:14lexicalNow, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million tal…
Ezra 2:69lexicalThey gave according to their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand mina…
2 Kings 5:5lexicalThe king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten tal…
Ezra 8:27lexicaltwenty bowls of gold weighing one thousand darics, and two vessels of fine bright bronze, precious as gold.
1 Chronicles 22:16lexicalof the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may the LORD be with you.…
1 Chronicles 29:11
Isaiah 63:15lexicalLook down from heaven, and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory. Where are your zeal and your migh…
2 Chronicles 20:6lexicaland he said, “LORD, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nati…
1 Chronicles 29:12
2 Chronicles 20:6lexicaland he said, “LORD, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nati…
Esther 5:11lexicalHaman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had pro…
1 Chronicles 29:13
Psalms 115:18lexicalbut we will bless the LORD, from this time forward and forever more. Praise the LORD!
1 Chronicles 29:17
Jeremiah 15:16lexicalYour words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by you…
1 Chronicles 29:18
1 Chronicles 28:9lexicalYou, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LO…
Deuteronomy 9:5lexicalNot for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedne…
Exodus 3:15lexicalGod said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of…
Exodus 32:13lexicalRemember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multip…
1 Chronicles 29:19
1 Kings 8:61lexical“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as it…
2 Chronicles 34:31lexicalThe king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, h…
2 Chronicles 8:16lexicalNow all the work of Solomon was accomplished from the day of the foundation of the LORD’s house until it was finished. S…
1 Kings 11:4lexicalWhen Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his…
1 Chronicles 28:9lexicalYou, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LO…
1 Chronicles 29:20
Nehemiah 8:6lexicalThen Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. Th…
Genesis 24:48lexicalI bowed my head, and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right…
1 Chronicles 29:21
Isaiah 1:11lexical“What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says the LORD. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and…
Leviticus 23:18lexicalYou shall present with the bread seven lambs without defect a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a bu…
Numbers 28:14lexicalTheir drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part o…
Numbers 29:21lexicaland their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their num…
Numbers 29:33lexicaland their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their num…
1 Chronicles 29:22
1 Kings 1:34lexicalLet Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet, and say, ‘Long live Kin…
1 Kings 1:39lexicalZadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people sai…
1 Chronicles 29:25
2 Chronicles 1:1lexicalSolomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and made him exceedin…
1 Chronicles 22:5lexicalDavid said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magn…
1 Chronicles 29:27
1 Kings 2:11lexicalThe days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three…
2 Samuel 5:5lexicalIn Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Isra…
1 Chronicles 3:4lexicalsix were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusa…
Numbers 26:7lexicalThese are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thi…
Exodus 6:18lexicalThe sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirt…
1 Chronicles 29:28
2 Chronicles 1:11lexicalGod said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honor, or the life of those…
Genesis 25:8lexicalAbraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
1 Chronicles 29:29
2 Chronicles 9:29lexicalNow the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in th…
2 Chronicles 12:15lexicalNow the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, aren’t they written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the s…
2 Chronicles 29:25lexicalHe set the Levites in the LORD’s house with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the command…
2 Chronicles 26:22lexicalNow the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote.
2 Samuel 24:11lexicalWhen David rose up in the morning, the LORD’s word came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,
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Historical Context
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