The First Book of the Chronicles
1 Chronicles 29
Chapter XXIX · Vol. II, pp. 843–845
1 David, by his example and entreaty, 6 causeth the princes and people to offer willingly. 10 David's thanksgiving and prayer. 20 The people, having blessed God, and sacrificed, make Solomon king the second time. 26 David's reign and death.
1 Furthermore, David the king said unto alla the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet byoung and tender,1 and the work is great: for the cpalace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
a ch.28.1,8.
b ch.22.5.17. 2 Ch.12.13; 9.30. 1 Ki.3.7. Pr.4.3.
1 His precise age is not given, but as he was already married (2 Ch.9.30; 12.13), he is called young and tender, when compared with the hardy and veteran warriors whom David now addresses.—C.
c ch.28.10. 2 Ch.2.4,5. Ps.132.5.
2 Now, I dhave prepared with all my might for the house of my God, the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx-stones,2 and stones to be set, glistering stones,3 and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble 4stones in abundance.
d ch.22.14-16. 2 Co.8.3. 2 Ch.31.20,21.
2 It may signify either a very precious gem, called onyx, from its similarity in colour and lustre to the human nail, or a species of marble resembling the gem.—C.
3 'Glistering stones.' The original seems to indicate a species of black marble or lucullite.—C.
4 The Septuagint renders it Parian, a beautiful species of white marble, highly valued in statuary. Josephus (Bel. l. v. c. 5, sec. 2) says the temple was built of white marble.—C.
3 Moreover, ebecause I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good,5 of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
4 Even three thousand talents of gold[≈ 100 tonnes · 100 tons · gold worth ≈ US$13,000 million], of the gold of fOphir, and seven thousand talents[≈ 240 tonnes · 240 tons] of refined silver,6 to overlay the walls of the houses withal.7
f 1 Ki.9.28.
6 About 125 tons of gold and 293 of silver, in value £18,082,312, 10s. sterling.
7 This statement differs essentially from that in ch. 22.4 (on which see note). But it is to be remarked, the statements are made upon two different occasions, and to two different parties, and that the gold and silver here described, is not the sum total prepared, but the amount contributed from David's private property.—C.
5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD ?
6 Then the chief of the fathers, and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly,
7 And gave for the service of the house of God, of gold, five thousand talents[≈ 170 tonnes · 170 tons] and ten thousand drams, and8 of silver ten thousand talents[≈ 340 tonnes · 340 tons], and of brass eighteen thousand 9talents[≈ 620 tonnes · 610 tons], and one hundred thousand talents[≈ 3,400 tonnes · 3,400 tons]1 of iron.2
8 About 200 tons of gold and 418 of silver, in value £30,807,875 sterling.
9 753 tons.
1 About 4185 tons.
2 See note on ch. 22.4 as to the uncertainty of the value or weight of the talent. If any be surprised that there should be a doubt or difficulty arising from variation of weight or value, let them reflect that even the 'pound' sterling originally signified an actual pound weight of silver; it now scarcely amounts to a third of that weight; and the value of a pound Scots is much less.—C.
8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel gthe Gershonite.
g ch.26.21,22.
9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they hoffered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessedi be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015.
i Ps.72.18,19; cxlv.-cl. 1 Ki.8.15. 2 Ch.20.6. Eze.3.12.
11 Thine,k O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both lriches and honour come of thee, andm thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
14 But owho am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all pthings come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
15 For qwe are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our rdays on the earth are as a shadow,3 and there is none abiding.4
q Ps.39.12; 119.19. He.11.13. 1 Pe.2.11. Ge.47.9.
r Job 14.2. Ps.90.9; 102.11. Ec.6.12. Ja.4.14.
3 A mere form of darkness amidst surrounding light, always escaping, though its motion be imperceptible; lengthening as the evening advances, and vanishing when it seemed greatest.—C.
4 'A shadow,' ever changing, never permanent. What a true, graphic, and yet humiliating picture of human life! Job gives expression to the same idea:—'For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow,' Job 8.9.—P.
16 O LORD our God, sall this store, that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name, cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.
17 I know also, my God, that thou triest thet heart, and hast upleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
18 O LORD xGod of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, ykeep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and zprepare their heart5 unto thee:
19 And give unto Solomon my ason a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which bI have made provision.
a Pr.16.1,9; 21.1. Eze.36.26,27; 11.19,20. Je.32.39,40. Ps.51.7,10.
b ch.21.25; 22.14. ver.2-8.
20 And David said to all the congregation, Nowc bless the LORD your God.6 And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and dbowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.7
c Ps.103.1,2,20; 134.1; 145.10; 148.13,14.
6 David was not satisfied with leading the devotions, and praying in the people's name, and blessing God in his official capacity as ruler of the nation. He wished the people to give public and formal expression to their faith in God. It was a kind of national covenanting, and was calculated to make a deep and lasting impression on all the members of that great assembly.—P.
A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015.
d Ge.24.26; 47.31. Ex.4.31. Ps.29.1. He.11.21.
7 The same external act of bowing the head was employed, emblematically acknowledging God to be supreme over all; David as king under him, but over his people.—C.
21 And they esacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel;
22 And did eat and drink gbefore the 8LORD on that day with great gladness: and they made Solomon the son of David king hthe second time,9 and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and iZadok to be priest.
g Ex.24.11. Le.7.15,16. Ne.8.10.
8 Their eating and drinking was with thankfulness to God for his goodness, reverence for his power, fear for his displeasure, but love for all his guidance and mercy.—C.
h With ch.23.1. 1 Ki.1.38,39.
9 The former enthronement was on occasion of Adonijah's rebellion, 1 Ki.1.39.—C.
23 Then Solomon sat on kthe throne of the LORD1 as king instead of David his father, and lprospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, msubmitted themselves unto Solomon the king.
25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed nupon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned oover all Israel.
o ch.18.14. Ps.78.71,72.
27 And the ptime that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
28 And he died in a qgood old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.
29 Now rthe acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,2
r 1 Ki.11.41,42; 14.29; 15.23. ch.xi.-xxix. 1 Sa.xvi.-xxx. 2 Sa.i.-xxiv. Ps.i.-cl. Ac.13.22,36; 7.46. He.11.32-34.
2 These books are not lost, but we have here the names of the sacred historians by whom they were compiled, and by whose inspiration they were authenticated. They now constitute, most probably, the books that go entirely by the name of Samuel, because he was the first and principal writer.—C.
Notes
[Ver. 5. In addition to all he had raised by commerce, public taxes, levies on nations conquered, and other means, David had given a magnificent donation from his private fortune. Having set such a noble example, he asked voluntary contributions from the princes and people of Israel. In this respect he followed the example of Moses. It was a wise policy. The people would naturally feel more interest in a building to which they had contributed. They would look upon it as their own. They would regard with pride its grandeur. Their love and devotion to God would thus be increased; while at the same time loyalty to the throne and constitution would be deepened. P.]
Ver. 13. [What a noble sentiment is embodied in this expression of thanks to God! It recognizes him alone as the source of national and individual prosperity. All the wealth of a nation comes from him, and ought therefore to be dedicated to him. Generosity as well as riches has its source in God. He gives the power to get wealth; and he gives the grace and wisdom rightly to use it. David sees and devoutly acknowledges all this. P.]
Ver. 22. [Abiathar had been priest during the reign of David. The cause of his disgrace, and Zadok's elevation, may be gathered from a number of incidental remarks in the history of David as narrated in Samuel and Kings. Abiathar was son of Ahimelech, who was slain by Saul because he had given David food and arms at Nob, 1 Sa. 22. 20. He fled to David, carrying with him the ephod, and he became David's constant companion. After the death of Saul, and David's accession to the throne, Abiathar was made high-priest, but he had Zadok as colleague. The former was descended from Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron, 1 Ch. 24. 3, and also from the family of Eli, on which a curse had been pronounced, 1 Sa. 2. 36; the latter was descended from Eleazar, the eldest son of Aaron. It would seem that Abiathar gradually became dissatisfied with the growing influence of his colleague, and his loyalty to the house of David waxed cold. At length, when Adonijah aspired to the throne, he conferred with Abiathar. He must have had good reason to anticipate success in that quarter; and the event showed that he was not mistaken in his man. Zadok, on the contrary, was true to David. Thus it was that Abiathar, by envy, folly, and disloyalty, brought about his own disgrace, and at the same time a fulfilment of the prophetic curse pronounced on the guilty house of Eli. P.]
Ver. 29. [It detracts nothing from the integrity and completeness of divine revelation even though we admit that these books have perished. God has by his providence preserved all that is necessary for the salvation of his church. The Bible was never intended to be merely a history. The facts of history which it contains were not intended merely for the gratification of man's curiosity. They have a higher object. The books of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, which are here mentioned, may have been mere biographies of David, with no claim to inspiration. The mention of them here does not prove their inspiration; it merely proves that they were full and trustworthy records of national history. P.]
Reflections.—Young beginners ought to be strongly encouraged in the Lord's way. What we do for God should correspond with the excellences of his nature and his kindness to us, and should be done with all our might; for that only is acceptable to God which is done from hearty affection to him. He loves a cheerful giver: and when our heart is right our hand will be open. But it is not enough that we do our own duty; we must also stir up others to theirs; and to draw them to that which is good, we must show them an example. Such as set their affection upon God's service will think no pains or cost too much to bestow upon it: and what is bestowed in this manner usually brings its own reward in present comfort. It is a pleasure to saints to see God's work carried on with vigour, and to behold a mutual emulation in good works. It is a pleasure for them to die in the comfortable prospect of the church's prosperity: and that they leave behind them such as will zealously endeavour the maintenance of religion in its purity and power. But how delightful is it when dying saints have their mouths opened in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving! And how amazing the infinite excellences and unbounded kindness of God! How unquestionable his right to our most exalted praise! Whatever gifts or grace men have, they have it all from him. And the more we do for him, we are the more indebted to him for employing and enabling us, and ought to walk the more humbly with him. And though our good works ought never to encourage our pride, yet should they be the matter of our praise. If we would retain good impressions on our spirit, we must commit the keeping of them to God. A heart sincerely fixed upon him is the greatest blessing we can here enjoy: and a holy rejoicing should enliven every act of our fellowship with him; particularly our feasting by faith on the sacrifice of his Son. For great is the honour God gives to those whom he calls to his work, while they serve him faithfully therein. But how short a step there is between a throne and a grave! The brightest stars that appear in the church must quickly set in death, and leave their room to others. Let therefore the divinely anointed, the no more dying Jesus, be all my joy and consolation.
Measures in square brackets are modern equivalents added for this edition. They are not in the King James text or in Brown’s notes. They use common scholarly estimates: a cubit is about 45.7 cm (18 in), a shekel about 11.4 g (0.4 oz), an ephah about 22 litres. Money values give the worth of the silver or gold at spot prices on 28 October 2026, not what the sum would buy in the ancient world.