Now 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. In 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, even 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; of 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 Yahweh?”
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1 Chronicles 29:2-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
David 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 Yahweh God. Now 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. In 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, even 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; of 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 Yahweh?”
Parallel Translations
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Now 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.
In 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,
even 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;
of 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 Yahweh?”
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Now I have 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, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, 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,
Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
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?
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Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, wherewith to overlay the walls of the houses;
of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto the LORD?'
Cross-references (35)
- 1 Chronicles 22:3-5 (v2) David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and bronze in abundance without weight;…
- 1 Kings 9:28 (v4) They came to Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
- 1 Chronicles 21:24 (v3) King David said to Ornan, “No; but I will most certainly buy it for the full price. For I will not take that which is yours for Yahweh, nor…
- Exodus 35:5-9 (v5) ‘Take from among you an offering to Yahweh. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Yahweh’s offering: gold, silver, bronze,…
- Numbers 7:2-3 (v5) the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes. These are they who were over…
Show all 33 cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 22:14 (v4) Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for Yahweh’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and…
- 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (v2) Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh his God. In every work that he…
- Ezra 1:4-6 (v5) Whoever is left, in any place where he lives, let the men of his place help him with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, in…
- Ezra 2:68-69 (v5) Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set…
- Ezra 7:15-16 (v5) and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in…
- Psalms 27:4 (v3) One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s…
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 (v2) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are…
- Isaiah 54:11-12 (v2) “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with…
- 2 Corinthians 8:3 (v2) For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
- Colossians 3:23 (v2) And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
- 1 Peter 4:10-11 (v2) As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. If anyone speaks,…
- 1 Chronicles 22:14-16 (vv2–3) Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for Yahweh’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and…
- Job 28:16 (vv2, 4) It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
- Genesis 2:12 (v2) and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.
- Exodus 25:2-9 (v5) “Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my…
- Exodus 28:17 (v2) You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row;
- Exodus 28:20 (v2) and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.
- Exodus 39:6 (v2) They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children…
- Exodus 39:13 (v2) and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
- Numbers 7:10-89 (v5) The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed. The princes gave their offerings before the…
- 1 Chronicles 22:4-5 (v3) and cedar trees without number, for the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David. David said, “Solomon my…
- 1 Chronicles 28:14-18 (v2) of gold by weight for the gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every…
- Psalms 26:8 (v3) Yahweh, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells.
- Psalms 84:1 (v3) How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Armies!
- Psalms 84:10 (v3) For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of…
- Psalms 122:1-9 (v3) I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!” Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that is built…
- Proverbs 3:9-10 (v3) Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will…
- Revelation 21:18-21 (v2) The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all…
33 distinct cross-references across this passage (35 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3–5 His great zeal toward the furtherance of the Temple…
His great zeal toward the furtherance of the Temple made him to spare no expenses, but to bestow his own peculiar treasure.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–5 1Ch 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my…
1Ch 29:2 Now I have 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, and [stones] to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Ver. 2. Now I have prepared.] This he speaketh not of vainglory, but to God’s glory, {1Ch 29:10} and for the good example of his princes and people. Of Vespasian it is said that he was imperio maximus, exemplo maior, and that he did segnes exemplo incitare saepius quam coercere, {a} prevail with his subjects most of all by his own good practice. David did so much more; he knew well that examples are the best lectures, and virtue the best example.
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Onyx stones.] These are white stones, like the white of a man’s nail, whence also they have their name.
Glistering stones.] Heb., Stones of ornament: lapides fuci, Vatablus rendereth it: qui scilicet intuentibus fucum facerent, saith A Lapide, stones that deceive the beholders with seeming shows: such as are agates: you would think that there were in them the pictures of trees, of birds, of swimming islands, &c. Stones "of fair colours" such stones are called in Isa 54:11.
And all manner of precious stones.] Whereof see Exo 28:17-21 Eze 28:13; Plin. Nat. Hist. passim, Rueum de Gemmis, &c.
And marble stones in abundance.] The Vulgate hath it, Et marmor Parium abundantissime. Paros is an island - one of the Cyclades - that yieldeth the best marble: no question but David had provided the very best of the best for this use, to be foundation stones. {1Ki 5:17}
{a} Tacit., lib. ii., Hist.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Stones to be set; diamonds, or emeralds, or rubies,…
Stones to be set; diamonds, or emeralds, or rubies, or any of those precious stones which are usually set in rings or such things.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Now I have prepared with all my might for…
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God,.... According to the utmost of his ability for the building and decorating of it:
the gold for the things to be made of gold; as the candlesticks, shewbread tables, &c.
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and the silver for things of silver; as for basins, &c.
and the brass for things of brass; as the brasen altar, brasen laver:
and iron for things of iron; for nails, hinges, &c.
and wood for things of wood; for rafters, ceilings, floors, &c.
onyx stones; the Targum, stones of beryl: and stones to be set; other precious stones to be set in gold and silver:
glistering stones; the Targum, emeralds; the word is used for stibium, or black lead, with which women painted their eyes; and so may signify black stones, like black lead; as white marble is after mentioned, perhaps black is here meant, or such stones Solomon paved the ways with leading to Jerusalem (y): but as such stones are not very glistering, there seems to be no reason for such an epithet; unless the stone "phengites" should be meant, which was a clear bright stone, and served for looking glasses. Domitian the Roman emperor, when under suspicion of being murdered by persons he had offended, garnished the porticos of his palace with this stone, which was of such brightness, that by the images formed in it he could see what was behind him (z); and so Lucian speaks (a) of Astarte having a splendid stone about her, called which in the night gave much light to the temple, but shone weakly in the day time, and looked like fire:
and of divers colours; that is, stones of various colours, as jaspers, amethysts, &c. Kimchi interprets it of embroidered clothes, and garments of needlework, and in these precious stones were sometimes inserted:
and all manner of precious stones; as pearls, diamonds, &c. it is hard to say what all these precious stones were for; Jarchi and Kimchi think they were to decorate the walls overlaid with gold, in which they were set; it is certain they were for garnishing and beautifying the house, see Ch2 3:6.
and marble stones in abundance; for pillars, tables, and pavement, as Jarchi; this was Parian marble, according to the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; the whitest of marble (b), found the island of Paros, and which agrees with the word here used.
(y) Joseph. Antiqu. l. 8. c. 7. sect. 4. (z) Sueton. Vit. Domitian. c. 14. Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 36. c. 22. Isidor. Origin. l. 16. c. 4. (a) De Dea Syria. (b) "----Pario marmore purius." Horat. Carmin. l. 1. ode 19.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5 My might - Work for God must be done…
My might - Work for God must be done with all our might, or we shall bring nothing to pass in it.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2, 5 Verse 2. And marble stones] אבני שיש abney shayish,…
Verse 2. And marble stones] אבני שיש abney shayish, which the Vulgate translates marmor Parium, Parian marble. Paros was one of the Cyclade islands, and produced the whitest and finest marble, that of which most of the finest works of antiquity have been made. That the word shaish means marble is probable from the Chaldee, which has אבני מרמורייה abney marmoraiyah, marble stones. Josephus says that the temple was built of large blocks of white marble, beautifully polished, so as to produce a most splendid appearance. - Jos., De Bell. Jud., lib. v., c. 5, s. 2.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv2, 5 1Ch 29:2-4. I have prepared with all my might…
1Ch 29:2-4. I have prepared with all my might — He did not intend to throw all the burden upon them, nor that it should be built wholly by the contributions of the people, although intended for their benefit; but he himself contributed to the erection of it to the uttermost of his power. Work for God must be done with all our might, or we shall bring nothing to pass in it. Onyx-stones, and stones to be set — Diamonds, or emeralds, or rubies, or any of those precious stones which are usually set in rings or such things. Of my own proper good — Of that which I had reserved as a peculiar treasure for my own use, after I had separated those things which I had devoted to God. Three thousand talents of the gold of Ophir — Which was accounted the best and purest gold. By this it appears probable that the hundred thousand talents, mentioned 1Ch 22:14, were of an inferior kind of gold. To overlay the walls of the house — The walls of the temple with gold, and of the rooms adjoining to it with silver, beaten out into plates, and put upon the cedar and other materials in different places, as was judged most fit.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Glistering stones - Rather, “colored stones;” or, “dark stones”…
Glistering stones - Rather, “colored stones;” or, “dark stones” - stones of a hue like that of the antimony wherewith women painted their eyes.
Marble stones - or, “white stones” - perhaps “alabaster,” which is found near Damascus. On the use made of the “stones” in building the temple, see 2Ch 3:6 note.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5 Onyx, or "emeralds." (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "soom," form the…
Onyx, or "emeralds." (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "soom," form the Hebrew shoham. --- Alabaster. Hebrew puc. (Haydock) --- The dark paint used for the eyes, has the same name, 4 Kings ix. 30., and Jeremias iv. 30. Yet the stibium or stimmi, or alabaster, mentioned by Pliny, ([Natural History?] xxxiii. 6.) was of a sliver colour, but not transparent. The stone here specified was probably alabaster, as it was used for the pavement. There is a very fine species at Damascus, and in Arabia, which was much sought after to decorate buildings. (Calmet) --- Chaldean has "emeralds." Septuagint, "stones of perfection, rich and various, and every precious stone, and much Parion." (Haydock) --- But [in] Isaias liv. 11, they translate the same term, "carbuncle." (Calmet) --- The stone might resemble the agate, which is beautifully shaded with clouds and other fanciful figures. (Tirinus) --- Paros: this is taken from the Septuagint. Hebrew has simply, "and stones of ssiss." (Haydock) --- Whether it denote the isle of Chio, or that of Chitis, in the Red Sea, the former famous for marble, and the latter for topaz; or it may refer to Sais, a city of Egypt, which had most beautiful porphyry. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxvi. 7., and xxxvii. 8.) --- But Paros, one of the Cyclades, was most renowned for its white marble. (Pliny xxxvi. 5.) --- Josephus (Jewish Wars vi. 6.) informs us, that the temple was built of large white marble stones; so that it appeared, at a distance, to be covered with snow. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 Moreover . . . I have of mine own…
Moreover . . . I have of mine own proper good, &c.--In addition to the immense amount of gold and silver treasure which David had already bequeathed for various uses in the service of the temple, he now made an additional contribution destined to a specific purpose--that of overlaying the walls of the house. This voluntary gift was from the private fortune of the royal donor, and had been selected with the greatest care. The gold was "the gold of Ophir," then esteemed the purest and finest in the world (Job 22:24; Job 28:16; Isa 13:12). The amount was three thousand talents of gold and seven thousand talents of refined silver.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv4–5 4. Ophir — See the note on 1Ki_9:28. Here…
4. Ophir — See the note on 1Ki_9:28. Here it appears that “the gold of Ophir” was brought (probably by Arabian merchants) to Israel in the days of David.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2. with all my might] Cp. 1Ch_22:14, in my…
2. with all my might] Cp. 1Ch_22:14, in my affliction (R.V.).
the gold for things to be made of gold] R.V. the gold for the things of gold.
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onyx] R.V. mg. beryl. Cp. Gen_2:12 (R.V. mg. beryl).
glistering stones] R.V. stones for inlaid work (Hebrew, “stones of pûch”). Cp. Isa_54:11, I will lay thy stones with fair colours (Hebrew, “with pûch”). Glister is an old form of glisten.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–5 (2) Now I have prepared.—And with all might have…
(2) Now I have prepared.—And with all might have I prepared (1Ch_22:14; comp. also Deu_6:5; Deu_28:9).
The gold for things to be made of gold.—Literally, the gold for the gold, and the silver for the silver, &c. (Comp. 1Ch_28:14.)
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Onyx (shôham).—So Vulg. The LXX. keeps the Hebrew word Σοάμ. (See Gen. ii 12; Exo_25:7; Exo_28:9; Exo_28:20; Job_28:16.) The uncertainty of meaning is illustrated by the fact that the LXX. in various passages translates shôham by onyx, beryl, sardius, emerald, and sapphire.
Stones to be set (’abnê millû’îm).—Stones of settings; strictly, fillings; LXX., πληρώσεως (Exo_25:7; Exo_35:9).
Glistering stones, and of divers colours.—Literally, stones of pûk and riqmâh. Pûk is the pigment used by Eastern ladies for darkening the eyebrows and lashes (kohl: 2Ki_9:30). It here seems to denote the colour of the stones in question. Perhaps some kind of decorative marble is intended (comp. Isa_54:11). Riqmâh stones are veined or variegated marbles, or, perhaps, tesselated work (comp. Eze_17:3; Jdg_5:30). The LXX. renders the phrase “costly and variegated stones.”
All manner of precious stones.—2Ch_3:6.
Marble stones.—Stones of shàyish, a word only read here. It means white marble. The LXX. and Vulg. have Parian marble, but the Targum simply marmora, “marbles.” (Comp. Est_1:6; Son_5:15, where shêsh is equivalent to the present form.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–5 The six designations of stones in this verse are…
The six designations of stones in this verse are as follows:
1. Onyx stones; (Gen_2:12; Exo_25:7 Exo_28:9 Exo_35:9; Job_28:16; Eze_28:13)
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1. Stones to be set or (Exo_25:7 Exo_35:9, Exo_35:27; the
2. feminine form of the same word is found in. (Exo_28:17, 20 39:13) The other meanings of this word are inauguration to the priest"s office, (Lev_8:33) and the sacrifice of inauguration. (Lev_7:37)
3. Glistering stones; Gesenius says this is the same root with fukov, seaweed. From this seaweed an alkaline pigment was prepared, which came to be called by the same word. This Hebrew word also meant a "dye" made from stribium, the Latin name of antimony (Septuagint, stimmi: Vulgate, stibium), with which Hebrew women stained their eyelashes (see 2Ki_9:30; Isa_54:11; Jer_4:30) Gesenius
would translate here "stones of pigment," and understands them to mean possibly marble for covering, as though with a solid paint, the walls.
4. Stones of divers colours; hmqri. This word, which means "variegated," is only in this passage applied to stones. It is applied once to the feathers of the eagle; (Eze_17:3) but almost always to needlework or garments, often being translated in the Authorized Version as "broidered" (Judges Psa_45:15; Eze_16:10, Eze_16:13, 18 26:16 27:7, 16, 24)
5. All manner of precious stones. The feminine form, hrqyi. The simplest idea of the word is "heavy," thence precious, dear, rare (2Sa 5:31 2Sa_7:9 2Sa_10:2; 1Ch_20:2; 2Ch_3:6 2Ch_9:1; Job_28:16 Job_31:26; Pro_1:13 Pro_3:15; Isa_28:16; Eze_28:13; Dan_11:38)
6. Marble stones; vyiv," the elementary idea of which is whiteness. This word is found only here; Septuagint and Vulgate, "Parian marble." A word akin (vve), meaning also "white marble" is found in Est_1:6; Song of Son_5:16. The further treatment of these stones will be found on 2Ch_3:6.
Vers. 2-9.
A pattern for religious devotion.
There is much religious feeling that fails of fruitfulness. It resembles often the fragrant blossom of the early spring on the fruit tree, and which promises well even beyond the time of the setting, but still fails most disappointingly of bringing fruit to perfection. These failures are generally easily traceable in each successive instance to their proper cause. But when so traced the mischief is done, the forfeiture is suffered, and the wisdom comes all too late. The real composition of genuine religious devotion, the elements necessary to practical religious devotion, are well illustrated in this series of verses. They have much in common with the characteristic marks of Christian compassion. Either of these principles is very often found to pine, just as though for want of stamina. To prevent this disappointment and waste would be to add an incalculable amount to the growth of goodness and to the benefit of the world. And the pattern good for religious devotion exhibited to us here shows the following characteristics:
I IT SEEKS AN INDIVIDUAL OBJECT. The house to be builded for the Lord, the temple, is now the thought of David"s heart and the object of what remains to him of earthly life. And of this he might truly say in the language used long after by St. Paul, "This one thing I do." This was confessedly in David"s time, and from the point of view of his nation, a very great enterprise; yet it was one thing to think of and another to do. How much time and feeling and earnestness are frittered away, counting for nothing except mournful moral reflection in the retrospect, with those who wait to do anything until they might, as they fondly imagine, do all, or, if not all, might embrace a very large compass in their beneficent aspiration I Universal observation rebukes the large foible. The useful men have been those who have steadily and with determination pursued one thing at the time. This is the first healthy sign of religious devotion, when with heart and hand it weds itself to one object of zeal and pursuit. Concentration of purpose, of affection, of energy, is as much the secret of great usefulness directed to the very highest ends as it is of that poor travesty of it, earthly success, so often mistaken and mishonoured as the equivalent of usefulness.
II IT STUDIES ITS OBJECT WITH DISCRIMINATING, PAINSTAKING CARE. We are often tempted to buy off individual responsibility by doing just what others do, and giving just what others give, and suffering ourselves to be borne on the general stream of opinion, or on the old stream of opinion, as though no individual judgment, or conscience, or conviction were possible to us. This, however, is the very opposite of what we do when we feel our own individual interest to be concerned. If we are to give reality and honesty to God"s work and grace and finish to our work for man, for Christ"s sake, it must be by this latter "rule" that we are guided. And very lovingly and heartily must we resign ourselves to its methods. How carefully David had surveyed in thought the whole and every part of the one work to which he had "set his affection "l The gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, and wood, and onyx stones, and glistering stones, and stones of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance, all the variety of them had been imagined and provided for, or all the weight and purity of the metal had been measured and contracted for. Thought and discrimination and pains had been spared in nothing of all these. The circumspection and minuteness of care and fond anxiety which men know so well to spend on themselves and their own transient, temporal interests, David now spends on the work of God. Such exercise of religious devotion throws thrilling interest and unwonted animation into any holy work, and invokes with unerring importunity Heaven"s abounding blessing.
III IT PURSUES ITS ANXIOUS PREPARATIONS, AND, IF NECESSARY, PURSUES THEM FOR A LONG TIME IN SILENCE, OR IN COMPARATIVE SILENCE. Nothing less needs ostentation, nothing less warrants display, than our work for God. When any man is deeply conscious that it is God"s work that he has in hand, then he feels it is God"s glory that he has at heart, and this dispenses with all craving for notice and applause. This latter is poor food for any one whomsoever who has already known and tasted the other. Now, the case of David at the present time was such that what he was doing must needs have been known. It could not have been hidden in his own heart or anywhere else. Yet it is plain that he had for some time been patiently, and with no needless publicity, making his zealous preparations. He was certainly far from finding himself in the position of Noah when planning and building the ark the object of ridicule, hindrance, and jeering of the people. No, nor, on the other hand, is he continually sounding the trumpet and calling attention to himself and his doings. But now the ripe moment had come when the loving and patient preparations of one must be handed over, not exactly to another, but into the trust of the representatives of a nation as well It was a moment when it was needful that the deeds and the purposes of David should no longer simply escape into the knowledge of others, but be formally and solemnly announced to all a listening people. The work of Christ in the world loved silence, patience, hiddenness long time. Neither he nor his kingdom nor his chiefest servants "come with observation," nor live "with observation;" yet the longer the delay and the humbler the obscurity, the more effective and heart-stirring will the final "manifestation" be. The self-denial, the deep interest, the long labour of the humblest faithful servant will be proclaimed before a kingdom and in a kingdom which shall have gathered all others into itself, and by the King of kings himself.
IV IT GIVES OF ITS OWN SUBSTANCE. The temptation is great with some leaders of the people merely to lead, to direct, to administer. And when this is the case the deficiency will very generally express itself somewhere before long. Enthusiasm will be wanting in the followers. In their minds an irresistible sense of unreality will get awakened. With a good conscience, indeed, David can appeal to the liberality of others by a simple reference to his own example. "Of his own proper good," i.e. "private substance," he had contributed largely. The influence of such an announcement is at least twofold.
1. It attests the honesty of the leader.
2. It speaks more strongly than any words could urge the powerful,sometimes omnipotent, stimulus of example.
V IT OWNS TO AN INTRINSIC ZEAL IN APPEALING TO OTHERS. One can almost imagine David saying to himself, after all that he has thought, prepared, done, still this further, "Woe is to me if I do not testify with my dying lips, and testify in this way by appealing earnestly to others!" True enough, there is preaching that is of the weakest. Its feeble tones, its timid essaying of its vocabulary, its apologetic style, bespeak its insincerity, at all events its untrustworthiness. It has no ring about it. But the devotion that is real is confident in itself. If it sometimes seem to overstep the threshold of moderation, it is ashamed to stay this side of it. The very best zeal for inflaming others is that which consumes self. So the "greater Son of David" came to a time when the truest utterance of his pure life was this, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." The highest Christian devotion has never failed to find this voice: "Who is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" Who is willing to consecrate himself this day unto the Lord? Who is willing "to fill his hand," and bring such handful to the Lord? These are the appeals that are likely to be heard by all classes of men, the rich and the poor, people and princes. And they sound the keynote; they constitute themselves just the watchword; joy is awakened unfeigned in every heart; praise leaps to the lips of all. Then men "offer willingly and with perfect heart." The scene an inspiration itself would not have had its place on the page of God"s Word, but for the religious devotion, real, practical, of which David unconsciously offers us an illustrious example, model lesson.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v5 And who then is willing to consecrate his service…
1Ch_29:5
And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord.
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Consecration
I. Service. This demands--
1. A settled purpose.
2. An active resolve.
II. A welling service.
1. A willing service is the only efficient service.
2. The willingness of our service is the only part that is absolutely required.
III. An immediate service.
1. Seasons for service are never absent.
2. Efficiency and pleasure ensue when service is performed in its own time.
IV. The highest service. The service of the Lord implies--
1. That the mind is perpetually under the influence of Divine truth.
2. That holy thoughts are actuated by the presence of the Spirit in them.
3. Entire consecration. (Thos. Davies, D. D.)
Self-dedication
It does the heart good to read over those closing chapters of this book and to note the spirit which animated the generation for which the first temple was built. As regards the cost and beauty of our churches there is this to be borne in mind, that whatever our present shortcomings may be, there is one great difference between ourselves and the ancient people of God--that whereas all their gifts were offered for a single building, we have to maintain all the churches in the kingdom, which in number must be fast approaching twenty thousand. But large as are the sums which have been spent, and are daily being spent on church building and church restoration, there is one offering which God values more than any other gift, and which each of us, from highest to lowest, may offer if we will--a perfect heart. (F. E. Paget.)
Consecration to Gods service
I. The nature of the service required. The service of God is a phrase which amounts to much the same thing as the worship of God.
1. Servitude sometimes arises from--
(1) Subjugation or conquest.
(2) Hereditary succession. Some men are born servants or slaves. The servitude which God requires is a servitude which makes the servant free.
2. The service which God requires involves--
(1) Divine illumination.
(2) Pure and ardent love.
(3) Continued and unceasing obedience.
II. What are the obligations under which we are all placed to render such service to the Almighty?
1. It is the duty of man to obey and serve Him.
2. Such service is very profitable and beneficial to man.
3. It is a refuge to its subject in the day of trouble.
4. It is an antidote to the fear of death.
III. That the service of God is indispensable.
1. Because it is the commandment of God.
2. The grand design of human life is the service of God.
3. The service of God is the only means of salvation.
IV. I come now to propose the inquiry, Who then is willing? etc.
1. The service of God is a willing service.
2. I address myself
(1) To the aged.
(2) To those in the prime and activity of life.
(3) More especially to the young. Lock--
(a) At the magnitude of the work.
(b) The difficulty with which it may afterwards be accomplished.
(c) The shortness and uncertainty of life.
(d) The consequences that will follow from this early devotement of yourselves unto God. Objections:
1. Time enough yet.
2. I shall lose my friends if I embrace in my youth the religion of Jesus Christ. It was once said by an ancient philosopher, Caesar is my friend--I have nothing to fear; and a greater than Caesar is here. Jesus is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
3. To embrace religion in youth will expose to obloquy and shame. Was it not said by one of the ancients that where God is there can be no exile--no banishment from His presence?
4. God is merciful, and we may get religion when we please. You may reckon on mercy until you are taken out of the world without it; and there is no mercy beyond the gates of death. (W. Tease.)
Who is willing to serve God
I. The nature of the service which God demands.
1. It is spiritual. It is the homage and devotion of the heart. All the intellectual powers, the understanding, will, affections, conscience, memory are to be dedicated to the worship of God. Without this no service can be acceptable to God (Isa_1:11; Isa_1:13; Mat_15:8-9).
2. It is to be constant and unremitting (1Co_10:31).
3. It must be affectionate. It is impossible for us to offer any acceptable service to God which does not spring from this love in our heart (1Jn_5:3). How is this to be obtained? The answer is Very plain (Eph_4:22-24). Thus God will create a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within you.
4. It must be practical (Mat_5:16; 1Co_9:27; 2Co_10:5).
II. The service which God requires of us should be performed without delay.
1. It is enjoined upon us by the Scriptures (Heb_3:15; Jos_24:15; 2Co_6:2). You have no certainty that any further opportunities will be afforded in which you may serve God (Pro_27:1; Luk_13:25-27).
3. The longer you defer entering into the service of God the more difficulties and obstacles will be thrown in your way. How absurd the notion that futurity will present more favourable opportunities for serving God than any with which we have yet been blessed. Suppose a sick man were to say, As long as this disorder remains upon me, and the more deeply my constitution is affected by it, the more certainly shall I receive a speedy cure. Would you consider this person to be perfectly sane? Or should one of your debtors assure you that by your increasing his obligations to you some three or four fold he would be immediately able to cancel the whole, would you believe him? The longer you live in sin the more grievously do you provoke God. You crucify to yourselves the Son of God afresh. It is awfully possible for men to outlive the day of grace (Psa_95:11).
4. Our services will be more acceptable now than they can possibly be at any future period.
III. Let us now consider the import of the question, Who then is willing? etc.
1. It carries with it the assumption that God is waiting to accept your service.
2. It implies also that every one possesses the ability to consecrate his service unto God.
3. We are taught by the text that there is a disinclination in the heart of man to submit himself to the will of God.
Conclusion:
1. This is the most honourable service in which you can engage
2. It is pleasant (Pro_3:17; Isa_32:17; Psa_16:3; Isa_2:5).
3. It is reasonable (Act_17:28).
4. It is the only service which secures a vast reward (1Co_2:9). (R. Treffry.)
Consecration
The New Version reads, Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto the Lord. This preferable reading suggests the theme of self consecration to God.
I. What this consecration involves. A man may consecrate many things to God and yet not consecrate himself. God does not value s mans money, time, talents, if he withholds himself. Consecration of self involves--
1. The heart. This is the seat of our affections, the love of our nature, end the fountain from which flows everything that constitutes the character. Give me thine heart.
2. The body. The body as well as the soul is the temple of God (1Co_6:15; 1Co_6:19; Eph_5:30). Self-consecration covers our whole being--body, soul, and spirit. It will also embrace our time, talents, wealth.
II. The claim which God has to this self-consecration. His claim results--
1. From His love. God loves us. The love of a father constitutes a claim to the love of a dutiful son, how much more to the love of a prodigal son.
2. From the way in which God has consecrated or sanctified Himself for us. He gave Himself for me.
3. He asks our self-consecration to His service because it is the best thing we can do for ourselves.
III. This self-consecration is immediate duty.
1. It is a great mistake for any to withhold self-consecration because they are too young. It is easier to be pure, and truthful, and loving, and diligent in the service of God when young than it will be to practise those virtues when old, if you have neglected them when young. The habits formed by a life of sin and neglect of God are like iron chains that you cannot easily break. Many who once said they were too young are now saying they are too old.
2. The sooner you commence to serve God the more you will be able to accomplish.
3. The present may be your only opportunity. We have been speaking specially to the young; but this is also a word for the aged. It is a delightful thing to see the young decide for Christ, but it is a sad thing to see the parents left behind. I was deeply impressed with this one day. I was on a visit close to the east coast where so many wrecks had recently taken place; among them was a vessel at the mouth of the Tyne. It was Christmas day, and on the pier among the crowd of spectators stood the son of the captain, watching and waiting for his father; for he was expected to be at home on that festive day. Probably as they gazed at each other a violent sea struck the vessel, and it sunk with all hands--wrecked within sight of port and within sight of friends. Parents, are there none of your children who have decided for Christ, and are standing on the Rock and looking out and expecting you home? Shall they see you wrecked within sight of port? (Absalom Clarke.)
Service for God
Men make a great deal of to-morrow. God always and everywhere lays stress on to-day. Day by day God supplies, and day by day He asks us to serve. In reference to this service we want to try and answer three questions.
I. Who is it asks for it?
II. Why does he want it? God wishes to use men, because by this means He can bestow richer blessing upon them than He could in any other way.
III. How may we render it?
1. By yielding your heart to Him.
2. By living an upright, consistent, unselfish life.
3. By earnest loving effort.
4. By helping and encouraging His people. (J. D. Kilburn.)
Christian consecration
I. Christian consecration is a personal thing: Who?
II. Christian consecration is a voluntary thing: Who is willing?
III. Christian consecration is an active thing: His service.
IV. Christian consecration is a reasonable thing: Unto the Lord.
V. Christian consecration is a prompt thing: This day.
VI. Christian consecration is a sympathetic thing: it prompts the consecrated to commend the grace of God to others and press the question, Who is willing? etc. (Thos. Kelly, D. D.)
Consecration
A great disappointment in life is often a terrible experience. A picturesque writer compares the setting of a secret hope to the setting of the sun. The brightness of life seems gone. And such might well to some extent have been the experience of David. He had set his heart on erecting the temple on Mount Zion. We may judge, then, what a collapse fell on his intensest interest and expectation when the decree issued that the work was not to be done by him. Instead of sinking into sullen apathy, or the inertness of despair, he devoted himself with renewed and consecrated energy to gather the materials necessary for the work, and in the text he appeals to and seeks to stimulate the people. The consecration here required--
I. Must have in it the element of spontaneity. We must know what love to God really is, and we must feel the spell of its sweet strength. As to the form in which our love is to manifest itself, that is a question of inferior importance. We know that our love to our fellow creatures is not conformed to any common or uniform law; it is sometimes radiant in a smile, flippant on the tongue; its speech bewrayeth itself; it asserts itself irrepressibly in a thousand ways. In other cases it is reticent, it is reserved, it is like the image of moon or star in a mountain tam, it abideth alone; few ever see it; and yet in both cases it is deep and sincere, strong even as death. The great question is not as to how our love is to express itself, but as to whether it really exists at all, the supreme power of the soul, a living and present reality within us. One of our poets represents a wretched slave, in reply to the query of her master in respect to her affection for himself, as replying with a gladness-glamoured, Yes, with her lips, when her heart, burned to say, No. The sad, pathetic picture of the poet is the precise converse of what we are now insisting upon, namely, that the professed devotion of ourselves to God must be the gift of love, or can He do else than spurn the sacrifice altogether?
II. Must be a whole-hearted, undivided thing--body as well as soul. The later representatives of the Gnostics held that the body was so wholly bad as to be beyond redemption; that it did not matter what became of it; that it might be plunged into the blackest depths of vicious excess and that the spirit within would contract no defilement and suffer no detriment. Accordingly the primitive Christians were in imminent peril of being seduced into the immoralities which abounded around them. Hence the warnings which abound in apostolic Epistles against lasciviousness, revelling, banquetings, and such like. Why should we not feel respecting the body that it is as truly consecrated to God in the case of a Christian as the soul can be?
III. This consecration is no cheap or easy thing. We must not offer unto God that which costs us nothing.
1. There is the cost of self-discipline.
2. The diligent and laborious use of the means of grace. (Dean Forrest.)
Consecration
I do not know a question in the sacred volume more full of import, or more adapted to press upon the heart.
I. We shall explain what we regard as the consecration of service to God.
1. There must be correct views of the Divine character and claims, as they are revealed in the record of His word. You must receive Him as He there appears.
(1) The God of creation.
(2) The God of providence.
(3) The God of redemption.
2. A practical obedience to the will of God, whether expressly declared, or whether to be inferred from His revealed attributes.
3. The use of active exertion to promote the Divine glory in the world. Religion does not only direct our attention to duties which pertain exclusively to our own personal characters and interests; it also prompts a concern for the improvement and welfare of our fellow-men. It is not equivocal testimony that your own hearts are given to God in faith and true holiness when you desire to be instrumental in restoring the authority of His law over the minds and lives of others.
II. We shall present the considerations which ought to urge to as engagement in the service of God.
1. We are placed under universal and imperative obligation to do so.
2. The influence His service has in preventing the degradation and promoting the dignity of our nature. The habits of men must always according to their moral nature tend to degrade or dignify. He who is truly devoted to God, whatever be his deficiencies and disadvantages in other respects, is placed on a far higher eminence than can ever be attained by the most arduous aspirations of the carnal mind. Must not that bestow transcendent dignity which writes the law of Jehovah on the heart, renders the body a living temple and an habitation of God, places the thoughts and employments of men in a sphere where they become associated with prophets and apostles and martyrs of the Redeemer and the Redeemer Himself, and where they are blended with the sublime realities of the invisible and eternal world? The service of God ennobles all that it comprehends; it is as the rose which gave its fragrance to the very clay; it is as the sunbeam which tints with a fresh hue of beauty and splendour the forms of earth, and causes them to reflect its own glory.
3. The true and solid pleasure His service communicates to the soul. Here is--
(1) Peace with God.
(2) Freedom from the dominion of sin.
(3) Redemption from the terror of the curse.
(4) The confidence of rectitude and pardon.
(5) The inspiration which springs from a participation in the triumphs of pure benevolence and love.
(6) The possession of privileges which, from the consolations of time, shall rise to the happiness of eternity.
4. The glorious recompence by which the engagements of His service are consummated.
III. We shall impress the question by which, to an engagement in the service of God, you are emphatically challenged. Who is willing? What excuses can you propose to justify a negative. You are too young. Suffer little children to come unto Me. You are too poor. The Saviour came to preach the gospel to the poor. You are too guilty. The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. You are prevented by worldly attachments. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, etc. You are deterred by threatening of persecution. Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, etc. (James Parsons.)
The true idea of the Christian life
I. This is Gods appeal for service.
II. Service is the true idea of the Christian life. For religion is not a mere viaticum to carry the soul to glory;but a power and support required during life, and not in death only.
III. Service implies obedience, self-denial, and activity. Such a work requires generosity and earnestness, resembling the zeal of the Jews in building their temple.
IV. The service of God requires a voluntary and distinct consecration.
V. The service of God is of the most pressing urgency. It should be this day. (L. H. Byrnes, B. A.)
The act of the will
In making our choice there is a determined act of our own will. To be willing is one thing; to will is another thing. We may be entirely willing, for instance, to go to some other country--say America--and such willingness may continue for years; but unless you will to go, you will never reach there. Our choice involves a definite act of the will; we may think about religion; we may talk about religion; we may be kindly affected towards religion; but we are called to do more. We are called to make a determined act of our will and to make our choice. You have seen a grand vessel about to be launched. Everything was ready for her departure from dry land. Every impediment had been removed but one, and that was the one which prevented her from entering the element on which she was to sail. One single block hound her to earth. It was in itself a mere trifle. A blow of the hammer wielded by a vigorous arm would set her free; but let that block remain untouched, and no onward movement would be made by the gallant ship. The hammer swings in the air; the blow is struck; she rushes into the great deep, where she floats with ease and grace as one born to it as her own possession. That stroke of the hammer corresponds to the act of the will--the deliberate resolution taken and made to consecrate oneself to Christ and to God. It must be taken, or the journey will never be traversed. (Cameron Lees, D. D.)
Complete consecration
I give Thee all--I keep back nothing for myself. Such was the motto engraved upon the ring and seals of the great Reformer Calvin. The words were deeply cut in what was solid, whether of metal or stone. They were ever carried about him, ever present with him. He meant them to be unchangeable by engraving them where he did. Offered willingly:--Rich mens presents are gold and silver, or other costly things. Mine must be recommended by the affectionate pleasure with which I give them. (The Ven. Bede when dying.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 General Information:
General Information:
David continues talking to the people about his provisions for the building of the temple.
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three thousand talents
"3,000 talents." This can be stated in modern measurements. AT: "about 100,000 kilograms" or "about 100 metric tons" (See: Biblical Money and Numbers)
gold from Ophir
This was the best quality and most valuable gold.
seven thousand talents
"7,000 talents." This can be stated in modern measurements. AT: "about 230,000 kilograms" or "230 metric tons" (See: Biblical Money and Numbers)
gold for the things to be made of gold ... work to be done by craftsmen
This can be stated in active form. AT: "gold for the craftsmen to make the gold things, silver so they may make the silver things, and things of all kinds for their other work" (See: Active or Passive)
give himself to him
"give himself to God"
translationWords
house of God
gold
silver
holy
works
Yahweh
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.