1 Chronicles 29:10-22

1 Chronicles 29:10-22

[10] Wherefore David  blessed  the LORD  before  all the congregation:  and David  said,  Blessed  be thou, LORD  God  of Israel  our father,  for  ever  [11] 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,  as head  above all. [12] 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  [13] Now therefore, our God,  we thank  thee, and praise  thy glorious  name.  [14] 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. [15] For we are strangers  before  thee, and sojourners,  as were all our fathers:  our days  on the earth  are as a shadow,  and there is none abiding.  [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. [17] I know  also, my God,  that thou triest  the heart,  and hast pleasure  in uprightness.  As for me, in the uprightness  of mine heart  I have willingly offered  all these things: and now have I seen  with joy  thy people,  which are present  here, to offer willingly  unto thee. [18] O LORD  God  of Abraham,  Isaac,  and of Israel,  our fathers,  keep  this for ever  in the imagination  of the thoughts  of the heart  of thy people,  and prepare  their heart  [19] And give  unto Solomon  my son  a perfect  heart,  to keep  thy commandments,  thy testimonies,  and to do  all these things, and to build  the palace,  for the which I have made provision.  [20] And David  said  to all the congregation,  Now bless  the LORD  your God.  And all the congregation  blessed  the LORD  God  of their fathers,  and bowed down their heads,  and worshipped  the LORD,  and the king.  [21] And they sacrificed  sacrifices  unto the LORD,  and offered  burnt offerings  unto the LORD,  on the morrow  after that day,  even a thousand  bullocks,  a thousand  rams,  and a thousand  lambs,  with their drink offerings,  and sacrifices  in abundance  for all Israel:  [22] And did eat  and drink  before  the LORD  on that day  with great  gladness.  And they made Solomon  the son  of David  king  the second time,  and anointed  him unto the LORD  to be the chief governor,  and Zadok  to be priest. 

What does 1 Chronicles 29:10-22 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"The climax of David"s reign, as portrayed by the Chronicler, has now been reached. All the preparations for building the temple have been completed, and Song of Solomon , chosen by God as the one who shall bring the plans to fruition, is about to be proclaimed as king over all Israel. And at this point the Chronicler reveals his true heart: the proper response to such a situation is a prayer which breathes joyful faith and simple humility." [1]
These were some of David"s last official words to his nation and his son Solomon. Ancient Near Easterners regarded such statements as extremely important, as indeed they were. In this address David reviewed the major lessons he had learned in life.
First, he said that everything belonged to Israel"s great God ( 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).
"The truth that "everything" we have "comes from" God is the foundation for the doctrine of stewardship. Its basis is this: since our property is his ( Psalm 24:1), and since we hold it only temporarily and in trust ( 1 Chronicles 29:15-16), it should therefore be used for him ( Luke 17:10 ...)." [2]
God had made it possible for His people to build an unusually magnificent temple. He had also caused Israel to grow from a small family of insignificant shepherds to become a mighty nation ( 1 Chronicles 29:14-16).
Second, David saw a parallel between Israel"s growth and Yahweh"s elevation of him ( 1 Chronicles 29:17). God had graciously blessed both David and Israel. Their prosperity was not a result of their own merits. David also spoke of the importance of a heart devoted to God ( 1 Chronicles 29:17-19; cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). The people"s lavish donation revealed hearts God had touched. David prayed that that heart attitude might remain in God"s people forever.
"Three important attitudes were expected in Israel-not merely obedience but obedience with a perfect heart ( 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17); not merely contributions to the temple for its repair and upkeep and the support of its personnel but willing contributions ( 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; 1 Chronicles 29:14; 1 Chronicles 29:17); and not merely temple rituals but ritual participation with joy ( 1 Chronicles 29:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; 1 Chronicles 29:22)." [3]
These emphases are even more prominent in2Chronicles than they are in1Chronicles.