Then 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; and 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. People with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of Yahweh’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, Yahweh, 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, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. Both 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! Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. But 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.
Show the surrounding paragraph
1 Chronicles 29:6-14 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Then 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; and 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. People with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of Yahweh’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, Yahweh, 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, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. Both 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! Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. But 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. For 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. Yahweh 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. I 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. Yahweh, 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; and 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.”
Parallel Translations
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Then 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;
and 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.
People with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of Yahweh’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
Yours, Yahweh, 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, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all.
Both 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!
Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name.
But 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.
-
Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly,
And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
Thine, 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.
Both riches and honour come of thee, and 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.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
Show all 3 translations
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Then the princes of the fathers' houses, 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;
and they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thousand talents.
And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a whole heart they offered willingly to the LORD; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation; and David said: 'Blessed be Thou, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
Thine, 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.
Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou rulest over all; and in Thy hand is power and might; and in Thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.
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Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (137)
- Hebrews 1:3 (v11) His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had…
- 1 Timothy 1:17 (vv10–11) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Daniel 4:34-35 (v11) At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High,…
- Jude 1:25 (v11) to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
- Revelation 5:12-13 (v11) saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and…
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- Isaiah 12:4 (v11) In that day you will say, “Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted!
- Jeremiah 27:5 (v11) ‘I have made the earth, the men, and the animals that are on the surface of the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm. I give…
- Revelation 11:15 (v11) The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and…
- Psalms 46:10 (v11) “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
- Revelation 7:9-12 (v11) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and…
- Revelation 4:10-11 (v11) the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns…
- Daniel 4:3 (v11) How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is from generation to generation.
- Revelation 19:1 (v11) After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory…
- Genesis 1:1 (v11) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
- Psalms 99:1 (v11) Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved.
- Psalms 145:1 (v11) I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever.
- Ephesians 3:16 (v12) that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner…
- James 1:17 (v14) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning…
- Psalms 29:4 (v11) Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.
- Isaiah 66:1 (v11) Yahweh says, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?
- Deuteronomy 8:18 (v12) But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore…
- 2 Chronicles 20:6 (v12) and he said, “Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and…
- Psalms 21:13 (v11) Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.
- 2 Corinthians 3:5 (v14) not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God,
- 1 Timothy 6:15-16 (v11) which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He alone has immortality,…
- Psalms 97:1 (v11) Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!
- Psalms 145:12-13 (v11) to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of his kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your…
- Isaiah 42:5 (v11) God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives…
- Jeremiah 10:10-12 (v11) But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth trembles. The nations aren’t able to…
- Daniel 6:26 (v12) “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; “for he is the living God, and…
- Philippians 4:13 (v12) I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- 1 Samuel 15:29 (v11) Also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.”
- Job 37:22 (v11) Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
- Psalms 45:3-4 (v11) Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty. In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth,…
- Psalms 104:1 (v11) Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
- Isaiah 2:10-11 (v11) Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man will…
- Romans 11:35-36 (v12) “Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?” For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To him be the…
- Romans 11:36 (v14) For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
- Ephesians 3:20 (v12) Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
- Colossians 1:11 (v12) strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,
- Psalms 57:5 (v11) Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth!
- Psalms 57:11 (v11) Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
- Psalms 97:9 (v11) For you, Yahweh, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.
- Psalms 98:1 (v11) Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
- Genesis 14:19 (v11) He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.
- Genesis 14:22 (v11) Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,
- 2 Chronicles 1:12 (v12) therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have…
- Nehemiah 9:5 (v11) Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless Yahweh…
- Psalms 47:9 (v11) The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is…
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (v14) He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in…
- Psalms 50:10-12 (v14) For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of…
- Psalms 115:1 (v14) Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your loving kindness, and for your truth’s sake.
- Psalms 115:15-16 (v11) Blessed are you by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth. The heavens are Yahweh’s heavens, but he has given the earth to the children of men.
- Isaiah 40:29 (v12) He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (v9) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God…
- Ephesians 1:3 (v10) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
- Genesis 32:10 (v14) I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my…
- 1 Chronicles 29:9 (v14) Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king…
- Job 9:19 (v12) If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! If of justice, ‘Who,’ says he, ‘will summon me?’
- Psalms 68:34-35 (v12) Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies. You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of…
- Psalms 75:6-7 (v12) For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation. But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts…
- Psalms 106:1 (v13) Praise Yahweh! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
- Psalms 113:7-8 (v12) He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy from the ash heap, that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his…
- Proverbs 10:22 (v12) Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
- Ecclesiastes 5:19 (v12) Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in…
- Daniel 4:32 (v11) You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times…
- Matthew 6:13 (v11) Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
- Romans 1:7 (v10) to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (v14) For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. But by the grace…
- 2 Corinthians 8:3 (v9) For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 (v13) Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
- Philippians 2:13 (v14) For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- 1 Peter 1:3 (v10) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
- Revelation 5:12 (v10) saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and…
- Revelation 11:17 (v12) saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power and reigned.
- 1 Kings 8:61 (v9) “Let your heart therefore be perfect with Yahweh our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as it is today.”
- Psalms 144:1-2 (v12) Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to battle: my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my…
- Psalms 146:2 (v10) While I live, I will praise Yahweh. I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist.
- Proverbs 8:18 (v12) With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
- Isaiah 43:13 (v12) Yes, since the day was, I am he. There is no one who can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can hinder it?”
- Isaiah 45:24 (v12) They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’ ” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him…
- Isaiah 46:10 (v12) I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all…
- Isaiah 63:16 (v10) For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, Yahweh, are our Father. Our Redeemer from…
- Ezekiel 3:12 (v10) Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, “Blessed be Yahweh’s glory from his place.”
- Matthew 6:9 (v10) Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
- Matthew 28:18 (v12) Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Luke 1:51-53 (v12) He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down princes from their…
- Luke 11:3 (v10) Give us day by day our daily bread.
- Romans 8:15 (v10) For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 (v6) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Philippians 4:20 (v10) Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (v10) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
- Genesis 28:22 (v14) then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”
- Genesis 32:28 (v10) He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
- Genesis 33:20 (v10) He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.
- 1 Samuel 2:7-8 (v12) Yahweh makes poor and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up. He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the…
- 2 Samuel 7:18 (v14) Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, “Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me…
- 1 Kings 8:15 (v10) He said, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David your father, and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
- 1 Chronicles 27:25–28:1 (v6) Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in…
- 1 Chronicles 29:17 (v9) I 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…
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (137 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 14 Meaning, them that had any.
Meaning, them that had any.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv6–14 1Ch 29:6 Then the chief of the fathers and…
1Ch 29:6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly,
Ver. 6. Offered willingly.] Liberales se exhibuerunt operas et opes sponte conferentes, Their obedience was prompt and present, their contribution large and liberal.
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 vv9, 11, 12, 14 The people rejoiced, because this was both an effect…
The people rejoiced, because this was both an effect of God’s grace in them, and an eminent token of God’s favour and goodness to be continued to them, and a good pledge that this great and long-desired work of the building of the people would receive a certain and a speedy accomplishment.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v10 We have here,
We have here,
I. The solemn address which David made to God upon occasion of the noble subscriptions of the princes towards the building of the temple (Ch1 29:10): Wherefore David blessed the Lord, not only alone in his closet, but before all the congregation. This I expected when we read (Ch1 29:9) that David rejoiced with great joy; for such a devout man as he would no doubt make that the matter of his thanksgiving which was so much the matter of his rejoicing. He that looked round with comfort would certainly look up with praise. David was now old and looked upon himself as near his end; and it well becomes aged saints, and dying saints, to have their hearts much enlarged in praise and thanksgiving. This will silence their complaints of their bodily infirmities, and help to make the prospect of death itself less gloomy. David's psalms, toward the latter end of the book, are most of them psalms of praise. The nearer we come to the world of everlasting praise the more we should speak the language and do the work of that world. In this address,
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1. He adores God, and ascribes glory to him as the God of Israel, blessed for ever and ever. Our Lord's prayer ends with a doxology much like this which David here begins with - for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. This is properly praising God - with holy awe and reverence, and agreeable affection, acknowledging, (1.) His infinite perfections; not only that he is great, powerful, glorious, etc., but that his is the greatness, power, and glory, that is, he has them in and of himself, Ch1 29:11. He is the fountain and centre of every thing that is bright and blessed. All that we can, in our most exalted praises, attribute to him he has an unquestionable title to. His is the greatness; his greatness is immense and incomprehensible; and all others are little, are nothing, in comparison of him. His is the power, and it is almighty and irresistible; power belongs to him, and all the power of all the creatures is derived from him and depends upon him. His is the glory; for his glory is his own end and the end of the whole creation. All the glory we can give him with our hearts, lips, and lives, comes infinitely short of what is his due. His is the victory; he transcends and surpasses all, and is able to conquer and subdue all things to himself; and his victories are incontestable and uncontrollable. And his is the majesty, real and personal; with him is terrible majesty, inexpressible and inconceivable. (2.) His sovereign dominion, as rightful owner and possessor of all: "All that is in the heaven, and in the earth, is thine, and at thy disposal, by the indisputable right of creation, and as supreme ruler and commander of all: thine is the kingdom, and all kings are thy subjects; for thou art head, and art to be exalted and worshipped as head above all." (3.) His universal influence and agency. All that are rich and honourable among the children of men have their riches and honours from God. This acknowledgment he would have the princes take notice of and join in, that they might not think they had merited any thing of God by their generosity; for from God they had their riches and honour, and what they had returned to him was but a small part of what they had received from him. Whoever are great among men, it is God's hand that makes them so; and, whatever strength we have, it is God that gives it to us, as the God of Israel our father, Ch1 29:10. Psa 68:35.
2. He acknowledges with thankfulness the grace of God enabling them to contribute so cheerfully towards the building of the temple (Ch1 29:13, Ch1 29:14): Now therefore, our God, we thank thee. Note, The more we do for God the more we are indebted to him for the honour of being employed in his service, and for grace enabling us, in any measure, to serve him. Does he therefore thank that servant? Luk 17:9. No: but that servant has a great deal of reason to thank him. He thanks God that they were able to offer so willingly. Note, (1.) It is a great instance of the power of God's grace in us to be able to do the work of God willingly. He works both to will and to do; and it is in the day of his power that his people are made willing, Psa 110:3. (2.) We must give God all the glory of all the good that is at any time done by ourselves or others. Our own good works must not be the matter of our pride, nor the good works of others the matter of our flattery, but both the matter of our praise; for certainly it is the greatest honour and pleasure in the world faithfully to serve God.
3. He speaks very humbly of himself, and his people, and the offerings they had now presented to God. (1.) For himself, and those that joined with him, though they were princes, he wondered that God should take such notice of them and do so much for them (Ch1 29:14): Who am I, and what is my people? David was the most honourable person, and Israel the most honourable person, then in the world; yet thus does he speak of himself and them, as unworthy the divine cognizance and favour. David now looks very great, presiding in an august assembly, appointing his successor, and making a noble present to the honour of God; and yet he is little and low in his own eyes: Who am I, O Lord? for (Ch1 29:15) we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, poor despicable creatures. Angels in heaven are at home there; saints on earth are but strangers here: Our days on the earth are as a shadow. David's days had as much of substance in them as most men's; for he was a great man, a good man, a useful man, and now an old man, one that lived long and lived to good purpose: and yet he puts himself not only into the number, but in the front, of those who must acknowledge that their days on the earth are as a shadow, which intimates that our life is a vain life, a dark life, a transient life, and a life that will have its periods either in perfect light or perfect darkness. The next words explain it: There is no abiding, Heb. no expectation. We cannot expect any great matters from it, nor can we expect any long continuance of it. This is mentioned here as that which forbids us to boast of the service we do to God. Alas! it is confined to a scantling of time, it is the service of a frail and short life, and therefore what can we pretend to merit by it? (2.) As to their offerings, Lord, says he, of thy own have we given thee (Ch1 29:14), and again (Ch1 29:16), It cometh of thy hand, and is all thy own. "We have it from thee as a free gift, and therefore are bound to use it for thee; and what we present to thee is but rent or interest from thy own." "In like manner" (says bishop Patrick) "we ought to acknowledge God in all spiritual things, referring every good thought, good purpose, good work, to his grace, from whom we receive it." Let him that glories therefore glory in the Lord.
4. He appeals to God concerning his own sincerity in what he did, Ch1 29:17. It is a great satisfaction to a good man to think that God tries the heart and has pleasure in uprightness, that, whoever may misinterpret or contemn it, he is acquainted with and approves of the way of the righteous. It was David's comfort that God knew with what pleasure he both offered his own and saw the people's offering. He was neither proud of his own good work nor envious of the good works of others.
5. He prays to God both for the people and for Solomon, that both might hold on as they began. In this prayer he addresses God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a God in covenant with them and with us for their sakes. Lord, give us grace to make good our part of the covenant, that we may not forfeit the benefit of it. Or thus: they were kept in their integrity by the grace of God establishing their way; let the same grace that was sufficient for them be so for us. (1.) For the people he prays (Ch1 29:18) that what good God had put into their minds he would always keep there, that they might never be worse than they were now, might never lose the convictions they were now under, nor cool in their affections to the house of God, but always have the same thoughts of things as they now seemed to have. Great consequences depend upon what is innermost, and what uppermost, in the imagination of the thoughts of our heart, what we aim at and what we love to think of. If any good have got possession of our hearts, or the hearts of our friends, it is good by prayer to commit the custody of it to the grace of God: "Lord, keep it there, keep it for ever there. David has prepared materials for the temple; but, Lord, do thou prepare their hearts for such a privilege;" establish their hearts, so the margin. "Confirm their resolutions. They are in a good mind; keep them so when I am gone, them and theirs for ever." (2.) For Solomon he prays (Ch1 29:19), Give him a perfect heart. He had charged him (Ch1 28:9) to serve God with a perfect heart; now here he prays to God to give him such a heart. He does not pray, "Lord, make him a rich man, a great man, a learned man;" but, "Lord, make him an honest man;" for that is better than all. "Lord, give him a perfect heart, not only in general to keep thy commandments, but in particular to build the palace, that he may do that service with a single eye." Yet his building the house would not prove him to have a perfect heart unless he made conscience of keeping God's commandments. It is not helping to build churches that will save us if we live in disobedience to God's law.
II. The cheerful concurrence of this great assembly in this great solemnity. 1. They joined with David in the adoration of God. When he had done his prayer he called to them to testify their concurrence (Now bless the Lord your God, Ch1 29:20), which accordingly they did, by bowing down their heads, a gesture of adoration. Whoever is the mouth of the congregation, those only have the benefit who join with him, not by bowing down the head so much as by lifting up the soul. 2. They paid their respects to the king, looking upon him as an instrument in God's hand of much good to them; and, in honouring him, they honoured God. 3. The next day they offered abundance of sacrifices to God (Ch1 29:21), both burnt-offerings, which were wholly consumed, and peace-offerings, which the offerer had the greatest part of to himself. Hereby they testified a generous gratitude to God for the good posture their public affairs were in, though David was going the way of all the earth. 4. They feasted and rejoiced before God, Ch1 29:22. In token of their joy in God, and communion with him, they feasted upon their peace-offerings in a religious manner before the Lord. What had been offered to God they feasted upon, by which was intimated to them that they should be never the poorer for their late liberal contributions to the service of the temple; they themselves should feast upon the comfort of it. 5. They made Solomon king the second time. He having been before anointed in haste, upon occasion of Adonijah's rebellion, it was thought fit to repeat the ceremony, for the greater satisfaction of the people. They anointed him to the Lord. Magistrates must look upon themselves as set apart for God, to be his ministers, and must rule accordingly in the fear of God. Zadok also was anointed to be priest in the room of Abiathar, who had lately forfeited his honour. Happy art thou, O Israel! under such a prince and such a pontiff.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–14 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of…
Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel,.... The princes of the twelve tribes:
and the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work; who were now assembled, Ch1 28:1.
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offered willingly; and cheerfully; needed no more arguments to press them to it, but at once readily communicated.
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 vv9, 10, 14 Rejoiced - Because this was both an effect of…
Rejoiced - Because this was both an effect of God's grace in them, an eminent token of God's favour to them, and a pledge that this long-desired work, would receive a certain and speedy accomplishment. Great joy - To see the work, which his heart was so much set upon, likely to go on. It is a great reviving to good men when they are leaving the world, to see those they leave behind zealous for the work of God.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv7, 11, 14 Verse 7. Of gold five thousand talents] These, at…
Verse 7. Of gold five thousand talents] These, at five thousand and seventy-five pounds, fifteen shillings, and seven pence halfpenny each, amount to twenty-five millions, three hundred and seventy-eight thousand nine hundred and six pounds, five shillings, sterling. If, with Dr. Prideaux, we estimate the golden talent at upwards of seven thousand pounds sterling, the value of these five thousand talents will be much more considerable. See Clarke on Ex 25:39; "Mt 18:24"; and the calculations at the end of Clarke's notes on "2Ch 9:29".
Ten thousand drams] Probably golden darics, worth each about twenty shillings, amounting to ten thousand pounds.
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Of silver ten thousand talents] These, at three hundred and fifty-three pounds, eleven shillings, and ten-pence halfpenny, each, amount to three millions five hundred and thirty-five thousand, nine hundred and thirty-seven pounds, ten shillings, sterling.
Brass eighteen thousand talents] Each six hundred and fifty-seven thousand grains, amount to one thousand and twenty-six tons, eleven hundred weight, and one quarter.
One hundred thousand talents of iron] Each six hundred and fifty-seven thousand grains, amount to five thousand seven hundred and three tons, two hundred weight, and a half.
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 vv9, 10, 13 1Ch 29:9. The people rejoiced — Because this was…
1Ch 29:9. The people rejoiced — Because this was both an effect of God’s grace in them, an eminent token of God’s favour to them, and a pledge that this long-desired work would receive a certain and speedy accomplishment. David also rejoiced with great joy — To see the work which his heart was so much set upon likely to go on. It is a great reviving to good men, when they are leaving the world, to see those they leave behind them zealous for the work of God.
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 vv7–9 The word here translated “dram” is regarded by most…
The word here translated “dram” is regarded by most critics as the Hebrew equivalent of the Persian “daric,” or ordinary gold coin, worth about 22 shillings of British money (circa 1880’s). Not, however, that the Jews possessed darics in David’s time: the writer wished to express, in language that would be intelligible to his readers, the value of the gold subscribed, and therefore he translated the terms employed in his documents, whatever they were, into terms that were in use in his own day. The doric became current in Palestine soon after the return from the captivity Ezr 2:69; Ezr 8:27; Neh 7:70-72.
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 vv6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 Possessions, mentioned [in] chap. xxvii. 25.
Possessions, mentioned [in] chap. xxvii. 25.
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 vv6, 7, 8, 10 Then the chief of the fathers--or heads of the…
Then the chief of the fathers--or heads of the fathers (Ch1 24:31; Ch1 27:1).
princes of the tribes-- (Ch1 27:16-22).
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rulers of the king's work--those who had charge of the royal demesnes and other possessions (Ch1 27:25-31).
offered willingly--Influenced by the persuasive address and example of the king, they acted according to their several abilities, and their united contributions amounted to the gross sum--of gold 5,000 talents and 10,000 drams; and of silver, 10,000 talents, besides brass and iron.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 6–9. The Offerings of the Chiefs of Israel
6–9. The Offerings of the Chiefs of Israel
6. the chief of the fathers] R.V. the princes of the fathers’ houses.
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over the king’s work] See 1Ch_27:25-31.
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 vv6–14 (6) Then the chief of the fathers.—And the princes…
(6) Then the chief of the fathers.—And the princes of the clans, &c., volunteered, showed themselves liberal (nâdîb: 1Ch_28:21; comp. Pro_19:6).
Chief . . . princes . . . captains . . . rulers.—All these words represent a single Hebrew term (sârîm). Princes of the clans or houses = heads of the houses elsewhere.
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With the rulers of the king’s work.—The stewards or bailiffs of the royal domains (1Ch_27:25-31). The construction here is like that in 1Ch_28:21. The particle rendered “with” (le) appears to mean much the same as ‘ãd, “even unto,” assigning an inclusive limit.
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 vv6–10 The response was hearty; it comprised voluntary gifts from…
The response was hearty; it comprised voluntary gifts from the most of those mentioned in 1Ch_28:1; and described in 1Ch_27:16-31. For the rulers of the king"s work, see Chronicles 27:26; 28:1. As the more general term "work" is employed, we are not bound to confine the expression to include only those who managed "the substance and cattle" of 1Ch_28:1.
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 vv10, 14 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation.
1Ch_29:10-20
Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation.
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The last thanksgiving
Every sentence weighed and measured for the occasion.
I. The infinite perfections of God.
1. God in His unspeakable grandeur.
2. God in His universal dominion.
3. God in His absolute ownership.
4. God in His covenant relation.
5. God in His goodness to men.
II. The peculiar relations of man to the infinite God.
1. Man is a dependent creature. Who am I?
(1) Dependent for substance to give.
(2) Dependent for the disposition to give it.
(3) Therefore indebted to God for all things.
2. Man is a short-lived creature.
3. Mans conduct is observed by God. (J. Wolfendale.)
Davids thanksgiving
1. Its adoration of God.
2. Its acknowledgment of dependence upon Him.
3. Its recognition of the influence of His grace.
4. Its solemn appeal to conscious integrity.
5. Its earnest prayer for king and people. (J. Wolfendale.)
The reciprocal influence of mind upon mind in worship
In this address of the venerable King of Israel to the Omnipotent Sovereign of the world, the natural influence of one mind upon another, the secret but powerful sympathy of similar affections in the devout congregation combine with his own grateful dispositions to enlarge his conceptions and to bring forth the most affecting description of the excellences of the great object of their common homage. You cannot but have observed and felt an influence of this kind, and been moved by the affections of others, especially when they corresponded with the condition of your own hearts. You have felt auger, joy, or grief insinuate themselves into your minds from the expression of them in others; and you have seen these affections increased in them by the mutual sympathy of your feelings. How often has the rage of an individual, expressed by the fiery glance of his eye, the fierceness of his countenance, and the shrillness of his tones, with the force and quickness of lightning inflamed a multitude, and exasperated their headstrong passions. With what glowing delight has an assembly been filled by the joyful countenance, the cheerful glance, the eloquent tones of a happy friend. How often has the melancholy, downcast look, or the tender tear of an interesting mourner, covered the face of the beholder with like pensive sadness, and infused into your bosom sorrows not your own. This reciprocal impression of the affections of the heart must hold equally true in the worship of the Supreme, as in the intercourse of common life. (Anon.)
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power.--
Gods supreme dominion and universal authority
I. The supreme authority and dominion of the ever-blessed God. God, under every possible consideration, must be supreme. As, therefore, He must be supreme, so must He reign over all (Rom_9:5). God has an absolute right, not only to claim allegiance from all, but to dispose of all according to His own will and pleasure. Every part of Gods Word teems with His glorious sovereign authority.
1. Witness a few confessions. Text. Solomon (1Ki_8:22-23; 2Ch_6:14); Hezekiah (2Ki_19:14-19); Jehoshaphat (2Ch_20:3-12); the Levites (Neh_9:4-6); the Lords Prayer (Mat_6:13); Paul (Eph_1:3-6; 1Ti_1:11-17); Jude (verses 20-25).
2. How the Lord asserts and claims this glorious prerogative as peculiar to Himself (Deu_32:39-43; Isa_40:25-26; Isa_41:14-16; Isa_42:5-8; Isa_43:15-17; Jer_5:20-25; Dan_7:13-14).
II. The nature of this supreme dominion and sovereign authority. Observe--
1. Negatively. It is not--
(1) A deputed and delegated authority.
(2) An assumed or usurped authority.
(3) An arbitrary authority.
2. Positively.
(1) It is universal.
(2) Equitable.
(3) Irresistible.
(4) Everlasting.
III. The aspect in which it is to be viewed by us.
1. As a most glorious doctrine.
2. As a most humiliating doctrine.
3. As a most alarming doctrine.
4. As a most encouraging doctrine.
5. As a most invigorating and establishing doctrine. (R. Shittler.)
The Divine greatness and beneficence
We have in these words a confession--
I. Of the Divine sovereignty.
II. Of the Divine power.
III. Of the Divine beneficence. (J. Johnson Cort, M. A.)
Davids thanksgiving
I. The occasion. David, in a general assembly of his people, moves them to contribute towards the building of the temple, and encourages them by his own example. They contribute willingly and liberally. Reckoning a talent of silver at £375, and a talent of gold at £4,500, what they offered amounted to above twenty-six millions of pounds sterling (besides the ten thousand drams of gold, the other metals, and precious stones), which, with what David gave himself out of his private treasury, being above sixteen millions more, makes a vast sum. For this he and the people rejoice. He blesses and praises God, not because they had so much, but because they had hearts to lay out so much for God and His worship. To have much may be a curse and a snare, but to have a heart to employ it for God is a far more blessed thing than to keep it, or gain it, or any way to receive it (Act_20:25).
II. The mode or form of his praising God. It is an ascribing all excellences to Him. True praising or blessing of God consists in acknowledging that to be Gods which is His. When Christ taught His disciples how to pray and how to praise God, this is the mode of praising Him (Mat_7:18): Thine is, etc. After the same manner does David here praise Him. (D. Clarkson.)
For all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.--
The Lord is the owner of all things
I. What evidence there is in scripture for the Lords title to all things.
1. Those things are His which we have in common with others.
(1) The world in general (Psa_50:1 or Psa_24:1? Misprint in original text.);
(2) heaven (Psa_89:11);
(3) the sea (Psa_95:5);
(4) the earth (Exo_19:5);
(5) everything in the earth (Deu_10:14).
2. Those things are His which we think to be properly ours. We may be proprietors in respect of men, so far as none of them may be able to produce any good title or lay any just claim to what we have; but we are no proprietors in reference to God.
(1) Lands (Lev_25:28);
(2) the fruits of the land (Hos_2:9); and cattle (Psa_50:10-11);
(3) money and clothes (Hag_2:8; 1Ch_29:14; 1Ch_29:16);
(4) our children (Eze_16:20-21);
(5) ourselves (1Co_6:19; Psa_100:3);
(6) our bodies (1Co_6:20);
(7) our souls (Eze_18:4; 1Co_6:19-20).
II. What is the foundation of the Lords title to a propriety in all things? He that gave to all their being is clearly the owner of all (Psa_89:11-12).
1. He made all for Himself, not for the pleasure of another, as the Israelites wrought for Pharaoh.
2. He made all things of nothing.
3. He made all without the help or concurrence of any other.
4. He upholds all things in the same manner as He created.
III. The nature and quality of this propriety.
1. He is the primary and original owner of all. His title and propriety is underived.
2. He is the absolute owner of all, without any condition or limitation.
3. He is the principal owner. All others that have right to anything have it under Him, and in subordination to Him, and are tied to acknowledge it by doing Him service for whatever they have.
4. He is total owner of all. When David gave the possession mentioned (2Sa_19:29) between Ziba and Mephibosheth, they had a joint interest therein, so Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah would have had in the navy and adventure if they had joined their ships according to the proposal (1Ki_22:49). But none has a joint interest with God.
5. He is the perpetual owner of all.
6. He is transcendently the owner of all. He has the greatest right to them. He has more right to all than we have to anything.
7. He is the sole owner of all things.
Use 1. Of information.
(1) Herein we may discern the greatness of the Lord whom we serve and whose we are.
(2) This may inform us that the Lord hath a right to deal with us or any creature as He will.
Use 2. For exhortation. This truth suggests many duties of greatest moment and consequence.
(1) Thankfulness. Whatsoever we have that is good is from Him, and not only the substance, but every degree of it.
(2) Self-surrender.
(3) Improving all we have for God.
(4) Patience.
(5) Humility.
(6) Self-denial.
If God be the owner of all things, He is the owner of us; if He be the owner of us, we are not to own ourselves, and not to own ourselves is to deny ourselves.
We must deny ourselves--
(a) As to our judgments, We must give up ourselves to the conduct of that judgment which is laid down in Scripture, that which is called the mind of the Lord.
(b) As to our wills. The will of the Lord must be our will.
(c) As to our ends. The pleasing, and honouring, and enjoying God is the only end we should propose to ourselves, either in holy duties or worldly business.
(d) As to our interests. If God be our owner, we ought to own and mind His interest and none else.
(e) As to our business and employments. The example of Christ (Luk_2:19; Joh_4:34; Joh_9:4).
(f)
As to our possessions. We ought to look upon all we possess as the Lords and not ours.
Use 3. For encouragement.
I. This truth affords encouragement in those special cases which are most apt to trouble and deject you. He can supply all your need.
(1) Want you wealth, or what you judge to be a competency? (1Ch_29:12). All the riches of the world are in His hands, and He can dispose thereof to whom and in what proportion He sees good (2Co_9:8; Php_4:19).
(2) Want you authority to countenance and secure you? (1Ch_29:11). He has the disposing of it all.
(3) Want you victory over enemies, those that afflict and oppress your souls? The Lord can give it you; it is His own.
(4) Want you strength, outward or inward, to do, or to suffer, or to resist? This He can also give you, for it is all His own (1Ch_29:12).
(5) Want you wisdom? (Jam_1:5).
(6) Want you gifts or other graces, or a greater measure of them? (Jam_1:17).
(7) Want you comfort? (2Co_1:3).
(8) Want you friends? All the friends in the world are but cyphers to Him.
2. There is encouragement to undergo or undertake anything for God which He calls you to. He is the owner of all things, and so has enough to requite you, to reward you, if all that is in heaven and in earth be enough to do it. (D. Clarkson.)
Divine ownership
Gods ownership is--
1. Universal.
2. Absolute.
3. Eternal. From this ownership we infer--
I. The absolute supremacy of God. He who owns all has a right--
1. To bestow on any creature whatever He pleases.
2. To withdraw from any creature in any way or at any time whatever He thinks best. The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away.
II. The moral obligation of man. What is that?
1. To obey His will in everything.
2. To be animated by supreme gratitude. (Homilist.)
Thine is the kingdom, O Lord.--
The kingdom of God
I. Thine, O Lord, is the kingdom. What kingdom?
1. The kingdom of nature, with all its productions and materials.
2. The kingdom of providence. As He made all, so His care extends to all.
3. The kingdom of grace. This is a kingdom within the kingdom of nature and providence. It is a mediatorial, a spiritual empire, which is designed to establish the peculiar reign of God, not only over men, but in them.
II. The glory of this kingdom. This is seen--
1. In its Sovereign--the Lord Jesus.
2. In its universality.
3. In its prospect (Dan_2:44; Dan_7:13-14).
4. In its subjects: The excellent of the earth.
5. its privileges: Eye hath not seen, etc.
(1) Peace.
(2) Liberty: The glorious liberty of the sons of God.
(3) Plentitude: The Lord of hosts makes unto all people a feast of fat things, etc. My God shall supply all your need, etc. (W. Jay, M. A.)
And in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
The nature of true greatness
I. What is the nature of true greatness? The scriptural idea of greatness is essentially different from that which is formed by the world.
1. To a few names the world has by general consent appended the title of the Great--Alexander, Constantine, Napoleon. These were great men with little aims. Self was the beginning and end of all their plans and labours. Their greatness was like a tree of ample trunk and wide-extended foliage, not spreading a beneficent shade, but distilling a deadly poison on all beneath, and thus killing its own roots and insuring its own decay.
2. A higher order of worldly greatness is that which consists purely in exalted genius and great intellectual power, whatever be the form of its manifestation. This form of greatness has been generally beneficent in its influence. Still it is in itself incomplete and unfinished.
3. The greatness of the Bible is a holy greatness. The fear of God is the source of its wisdom; the love of God is the spring of its activity; the glory of God is the end of its enterprises and labours.
II. This greatness is a proper object of aspiration and pursuit.
1. Man was made for this greatness. He is born great. Great powers, great duties, great expectancies, a great sphere of action, great hopes and promises, are his. If he becomes little, it is by his own fault and sin.
2. The Word of God exhorts us to it, calls us to glory as well as to virtue.
3. We are taught that there will be a distinction in the rewards of eternity, graduated to the different degrees of merit and earnestness in the service of God in the present life.
4. The examples of Scripture are justifications of the highest aim. All history besides contains no such list of heroes as Heb_11:1-40.
III. The source of this greatness. All things are of God. Even the worlds heroes have felt and acknowledged this. If it is in Gods hands to make great--
1. Then He is to be acknowledged and adored as the author of all the endowments of men.
2. What must be the guilt of those who have perverted and abused their talents to spread disorder, pollution, and misery among His moral subjects!
3. Their greatness is to be solicited and expected from Him.
4. From Him we must derive our idea of greatness. This He has revealed to us--
(1) In His Word.
(2) In the life of Christ. (John Proudfit, D. D.)
The agency of God in human greatness
I. God makes men great by bestowing upon them distinguished genius and talents. Some of the courtiers of the Emperor Sigismund, who had no taste for learning, inquired why he so honoured and respected men of low birth on account of their science. The emperor replied, In one day I can confer knighthood or nobility on many; in many years I cannot bestow genius on one. Wise and learned men are created by God only.
II. God makes men great by an education, and by events in life suited to discover, to excite, to encourage, to improve, and to direct their talents. The most luxuriant soil, when uncultivated, often becomes wild and barren, while a soil less favourable richly recompenses the seed sown, and the labours of the husbandman.
1. Early instruction and discipline correct the blemishes, brighten the polish, and increase the excellences of genius.
2. The friends and companions of our early youth contribute not a little to the strengthening and improving our natural talents.
3. Favourable providences expand the faculties, call forth exertions, and discover the extent of talents, which otherwise might have lain dormant, or shone with less lustre. Erpinius the critic, was first stimulated to a proper improvement of his time and talents by looking into Fortius Ringelbergiuss treatise on study Franklin was similarly affected by an essay of Dr. Cotton Mathers, on doing good. Great occasions produce great talents. A Frederic and a Washington might have lived obscure, and died forgotten, had the time, place, and circumstances which called forth their abilities been different.
III. It is God who implants dispositions, and excites to conduct, which enable men to improve their natural abilities, and providential opportunities and advantages for becoming great. Exercise and activity marvellously improve and increase talents, comparatively small. God makes men great by influencing their tempers and enabling them to govern their spirits and conduct their lives by the rules of reason and religion.
IV. God makes men great by bringing them into difficult and trying situations, which exercise and manifest the greatness of their disposition and talents.
V. God makes men great by rendering the exercise of their talents acceptable and useful.
VI. It is God who assigns to the great the sphere of their greatness.
VII. In the hand of God it is to limit the duration of human greatness.
Conclusion: Address--
1. Those whom the hand of God hath made great. God made you great for the general good, and not merely for your own pleasure or profit. Distinguished talents were bestowed that, with success, you might guide others to wisdom, to religion, and happiness.
2. Those whom a scanty measure of natural talents or acquired accomplishments confines to a lower and more ignoble and laborious line of life. Beware of envy and discontent. (J. Erskine, D. D.)
All strength is from God
All Christians, in themselves, are but vessels, poor fragile things, just like earthen pitchers. We should be worthless, only God puts His life into our hearts. And this becomes part of the good news of Christ. It brings the happy assurance to every heart who hears it that even a child may be a vessel to carry the power of God. Weak people, little people, fragile people, God uses them all. God can fill the weakest and most fragile with strength for His work. He asks also that the heart may receive His life. The outside may be no better than earthenware, but inside there will be an excellent light and power of God. (D. Macleod.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v10 IN order to do justice to the chroniclers method…
THE LAST PRAYER OF DAVID
1Ch_29:10-19
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IN order to do justice to the chroniclers method of presenting us with a number of very similar illustrations of the same principle, we have in the previous book grouped much of his material under a few leading subjects. There remains the general thread of the history, which is, of course, very much the same in Chronicles as in the book of Kings, and need not be dwelt on at any length. At the same time some brief survey is necessary for the sake of completeness and in order to bring out the different complexion given to the history by the chroniclers alterations and omissions. Moreover, there are a number of minor points that are most conveniently dealt with in the course of a running exposition.
The special importance attached by the chronicler to David and Solomon has enabled us to treat their reigns at length in discussing his picture of the ideal king; and similarly the reign of Ahaz has served as an illustration of the character and fortunes of the wicked kings. We therefore take up the history at the accession of Rehoboam, and shall simply indicate very briefly the connection of the reign of Ahaz with what precedes and follows. But before passing on to Rehoboam we must consider "The Last Prayer of David," a devotional paragraph peculiar to Chronicles. The detailed exposition of this passage would have been out of proportion in a brief sketch of the chroniclers account of the character and reign of David, and would have had no special bearing on the subject of the ideal king. On the other hand, the "Prayer" states some of the leading principles which govern the chronicler in his interpretation of the history of Israel; and its exposition forms a suitable introduction to the present division of our subject.
The occasion of this prayer was the great closing scene of Davids life, which we have already described. The prayer is a thanksgiving for the assurance David had received that the accomplishment of the great purpose of his life, the erection of a temple to Jehovah, was virtually secured. He had been permitted to collect the materials for the building, he had received the plans of the Temple from Jehovah, and had placed them in the willing hands of his successor. The princes and the people had caught his own enthusiasm and lavishly supplemented the bountiful provision already made for the future work. Solomon had been accepted as king by popular acclamation. Every possible preparation had been made that could be made, and the aged king poured out his heart in praise to God for His grace and favor.
The prayer falls naturally into four subdivisions: 1Ch_29:10-13 are a kind of doxology in honor of Jehovah; in 1Ch_29:14-16 David acknowledges that Israel is entirely dependent upon Jehovah for the means of rendering Him acceptable service; in 1Ch_29:17 he claims that he and his people have offered willingly unto Jehovah; and in 1Ch_29:18-19 he prays that Solomon and the people may build the Temple and abide in the Law.
In the doxology God is addressed as "Jehovah, the God of Israel, our Father," and similarly in 1Ch_29:18 as "Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel." For the chronicler the accession of David is the starting-point of Israelite history and religion, but here, as in the genealogies, he links his narrative to that of the Pentateuch, and reminds his readers that the crowning dispensation of the worship of Jehovah in the Temple rested on the earlier revelations to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.
We are at once struck by the divergence from the usual formula: "Abraham. Isaac, and Jacob." Moreover, when God is referred to as the God of the Patriarch personally, the usual phrase is "the God of Jacob." The formula, "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel," occurs again in Chronicles in the account of Hezekiahs reformation; it only occurs elsewhere in the history of Elijah in the book of Kings. {1Ki_18:36} The chronicler avoids the use of the name "Jacob," and for the most part calls the Patriarch "Israel." "Jacob" only occurs in two poetic quotations, where its omission was almost impossible, because in each case "Israel" is used in the parallel clause. {1Ch_16:13; 1Ch_16:17 Gen_32:28} This choice of names is an application of the same principle that led to the omission of the discreditable incidents in the history of David and Solomon. Jacob was the supplanter. The name suggested the unbrotherly craft of the Patriarch. It was not desirable that the Jews should be encouraged to think of Jehovah as the God of a grasping and deceitful man. Jehovah was the God of the Patriarchs nobler nature and higher life, the God of Israel, who strove with God and prevailed. In the doxology that follows the resources of language are almost exhausted in the attempt to set forth adequately "the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty the riches and honor the power and might," of Jehovah These verses read like an expansion of the simple Christian doxology, "Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory," but in all probability the latter is an abbreviation from our text. In both there is the same recognition of the ruling omnipotence of God; but the chronicler, having in mind the glory and power of David and his magnificent offerings for the building of the Temple, is specially careful to intimate that Jehovah is the source of all worldly greatness: "Both riches and honor come of Thee and in Thy hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all."
The complementary truth, the entire dependence of Israel on Jehovah, is dealt with in the next verses. David has learnt humility from the tragic consequences of his fatal census; his heart is no longer uplifted with pride at the wealth and glory of his kingdom; he claims no credit for the spontaneous impulse of generosity that prompted his munificence. Everything is traced back to Jehovah: "All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee." Before, when David contemplated the vast population of Israel and the great array of his warriors, the sense of Gods displeasure fell upon him; now, when the riches and honor of his kingdom were displayed before him, he may have felt the chastening influence of his former experience. A touch of melancholy darkened his spirit for a moment; standing upon the brink of the dim, mysterious Sheol, he found small comfort in barbaric abundance of timber and stone, jewels, talents, and darics; he saw the emptiness of all earthly splendor. Like Abraham before the children of Heth, he stood before Jehovah a stranger and a sojourner. {Gen_23:4; Cf. Psa_34:13; Psa_119:19} Bildad the Shuhite had urged Job to submit himself to the teaching of a venerable orthodoxy, because "we are of yesterday and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow." {Job_8:9} The same thought made David feel his insignificance, in spite of his wealth and royal dominion: "Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding."
He turns from these somber thoughts to the consoling reflection that in all his preparations he has been the instrument of a Divine purpose, and has served Jehovah willingly. Today he can approach God with a clear conscience: "I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things." He rejoiced, moreover, that the people had offered willingly. The chronicler anticipates the teaching of St. Paul that "the Lord loveth a cheerful giver." David gives of his abundance in the same spirit in which the widow gave her mite. The two narratives are mutually supplementary. It is possible to apply tile story of the widows mite so as to suggest that God values our offerings in inverse proportion to their amount. We are reminded by the willing munificence of David that the rich may give of his abundance as simply and humbly and as acceptably as the poor man gives of his poverty.
But however grateful David might be for the pious and generous spirit by which his people were now possessed, he did not forget that they could only abide in that spirit by the continued enjoyment of Divine help and grace His thanksgiving concludes with prayer. Spiritual depression is apt to follow very speedily in the train of spiritual exaltation; days of joy and light are granted to us that we may make provision for future necessity.
David does not merely ask that Israel may be kept in external obedience and devotion: his prayer goes deeper. He knows that out of the heart are the issues of life, and he prays that the heart of Solomon and the thoughts of the heart of the people may. be kept right with God. Unless the fountain of life were pure, it would be useless to cleanse the stream. Davids special desire is that the Temple may be built, but this desire is only the expression of his loyalty to the Law. Without the Temple the commandments, and testimonies, and statutes of the Law could not be rightly observed. But he does not ask that the people may be constrained to build the Temple and keep the Law in order that their hearts may be made perfect; their hearts are to be made perfect that they may keep the Law.
Henceforward throughout his history the chroniclers criterion of a perfect heart, a righteous life, in king and people, is their attitude towards the Law and the Temple. Because their ordinances and worship formed the accepted standard of religion and morality, through which mens goodness would naturally express themselves. Similarly, only under a supreme sense of duty to God and man may the Christian willingly violate the established canons of religious and social life.
We may conclude by noticing a curious feature in the wording of Davids prayer. In the nineteenth, as in the first, verse of this chapter the Temple, according to our English versions, is referred to as "the palace." The original word bira is probably Persian, though a parallel form is quoted from the Assyrian. As a Hebrew word it belongs to the latest and most corrupt stage of the language as found in the Old Testament; and only occurs in Chronicles, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel. In putting this word into the mouth of David, the chronicler is guilty of an anachronism, parallel to his use of the word "darics." The word bira appears to have first become familiar to the Jews as the name of a Persian palace or fortress in Susa; it is used in Nehemiah of the castle attached to the Temple, and in later times the derivative Greek name Baris had the same meaning. It is curious to find the chronicler, in his effort to find a sufficiently dignified title for the temple of Jehovah, driven to borrow a word which belonged originally to the royal magnificence of a heathen empire, and which was used later on to denote the fortress whence a Roman garrison controlled the fanaticism of Jewish worship. The chroniclers intention, no doubt, was to intimate that the dignity of the Temple surpassed that of any royal palace. He could not suppose that it was greater in extent or constructed of more costly materials; the living presence of Jehovah was its one supreme and unique distinction. The King gave honor to His dwelling-place.
William Robertson Nicoll, ed., The Expositor's Bible (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1887–1910) — public domain. 65 of 66 books (1 Corinthians is not separately keyed, as that volume carries no machine-parseable verse references); section-level commentary keyed to the opening verse. Introductory and overview sections not keyed to a specific passage are excluded.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v10 Note the order:
blessed
Note the order:
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1Ch 29:3-8, giving, 1Ch 29:9, joy, 1Ch 29:10, blessing, 1Ch 29:11-19, prayer, 1Ch 29:20, worship:
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v10 David’s Thanksgiving
David’s Thanksgiving
v. 10. Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation, in a spontaneous overflow of delight and gratitude at seeing the willing response of the people with regard to the favorite project of his life. And David said, Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. It was a sincere cry: All glory be to God on high!
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v. 11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, the shining beauty of the Lord’s wonderful essence stood out at this time; for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, that is, the sovereignty, and Thou art exalted as Head above all.
v. 12. Both riches and honor come of thee, and Thou reignest over all, all worldly wealth being really a gift of His gracious hand; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all.
v. 13. Now, therefore, our God, we thank Thee, as the Giver of all good gifts, and praise Thy glorious name, literally, "the name of Thy glory"; it is wonderful and glorious in itself, and the purpose of our praise is to keep it most glorious above all.
v. 14. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? The very willingness to serve the Lord with the gifts of our hands is a blessing of His grace. For all things come of thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. We are merely God’s stewards, in charge of goods which He entrusts to us for the few brief years of our earthly existence. In reality all the goods of which we proclaim ourselves the proud owners are God’s alone, and He will hold us responsible for their administration.
v. 15. For we are strangers before Thee and sojourners, as were all our fathers, the uncertainty and vanity of this earthly life being its most conspicuous feature. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Note how strongly the otherworldliness of the true religion is emphasized.
v. 16. O Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand and is all Thine own; they were merely carrying out the duties of their stewardship in placing their money at God’s disposal for this purpose.
v. 17. I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart and hast pleasure in uprightness, a mere outward show of piety without true willingness of the heart being an abomination to Him. 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, the same spirit of cheerful willingness prompted both the king and the people.
v. 18. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people, this same spirit of cheerful willingness, and prepare their heart unto Thee, establishing them in faith in Jehovah alone;
v. 19. and give unto Solomon, my son, 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 I have made provision, the great Temple, the total sum gathered for which has been estimated from a little less than five billion dollars to five times that sum.
v. 20. And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord, your God, in thanking Him for His goodness shown that day. And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshiped the Lord and the king, not praying to the latter, but honoring him as the Lord’s representative.
v. 21. And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, both in atoning for the transgressions of the past and in establishing the right relationship between themselves and God, 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;
v. 22. and did eat and drink before the Lord, in the sacrificial meal connected with their offerings, on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon, the son of David, king the second time, the first crowning having taken place rather suddenly upon Adonijah’s conspiracy, 1Ki 1:35, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest, the degradation of the other high priest, Abiathar, of the line of Ithamar, dating from this time.
v. 23. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord, Jehovah Himself always being considered as the real Ruler of the nation, as king instead of David, his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him, he reigned over a united kingdom.
v. 24. And all the princes, the hereditary chieftains, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of King David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king, by the ceremony of putting their hand under the king’s extended hand, and kissing the back of it.
v. 25. And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel; the two rulers before him had had little of the majestic and magnificent splendor which characterized Solomon. The book now closes with a summary of the reign of David.
v. 26. Thus David, the son of Jesse, reigned over all Israel.
v. 27. And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years, in round numbers; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
v. 28. And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor, glory among the people of his own nation and abroad; and Solomon, his son, reigned in his stead.
v. 29. Now, the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the Book of Samuel, the seer, the historical account written by that prophet, and in the book of Nathan, the prophet, and in the book of Gad, the seer,
v. 30. with all his reign and his might, his military exploits. his brave deeds, and the times that went over him and over Israel and over all the kingdoms of the countries, all those with whom he came into hostile contact or with whom he had a friendly intercourse. Like David, the believers are gathered to the number of perfected saints, to the great number of those whose souls await the resurrection of the last Great Day.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 8, 10, 12, 14 General Information:
General Information:
(See: Numbers)
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Then freewill offerings were made by the leaders ... and by the officials over the king's work.
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Then the leaders ... and the officials over the king's work made freewill offerings" (See: Active or Passive)
the commanders of thousands and hundreds
Possible meanings are 1) these numbers represent the exact amount of soldiers that these commanders led. AT: "the commanders of 1,000 soldiers and the commanders of 100 soldiers" or 2) the words translated as "thousands" and "hundreds" do not represent exact numbers, but are the names of larger and smaller military divisions. AT: "the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions" See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 13:1. (See: Numbers)
the officials over the king's work
Here the word "over" is used as an idiom. AT: "the officials in charge of the king's work" (See: Idiom)
five thousand talents ... and 100,000 talents of iron
"5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron." These may be written in modern measurements. AT: "165 metric tons and 84 kilograms of gold, 330 metric tons of silver, 600 metric tons of bronze, and 3,300 metric tons of iron" (See: Biblical Money)
100,000 talents
"one hundred thousand talents" (See: Numbers)
translationWords
freewill offering
family
tribe
Israel
commander
works
servant
gold
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 7, 10 29:6 Israel’s leaders gave willingly, as had been the…
29:6 Israel’s leaders gave willingly, as had been the case with the Tabernacle (Exod 25:1-7).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.