Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary1 Chronicles 29

David the king said. David recounts his preparations for the building of the Temple and appeals to the men of wealth and position in Israel for offerings (vs. 1–9). Compare the experience of Moses, who, in response to the Lord’s directions, made an appeal to the people for offerings that the sanctuary might be built (Ex. 25:1–8; 35:4–9), and received a liberal response (Ex. 35:20–29). Young and tender. Compare 1 Chron. 22:5; 1 Kings 3:7; Prov. 4:3. Palace. Birah, an Akkadian loan word, which usually designates a palace or fortress (Neh. 1:1; 7:2; Esther 1:2, 5; 2:3, 5, 8; 3:15; Dan. 8:2). Here and in v. 19 it is used for the Temple.

Ellen G. White

All my might. Putting all of his soul into this effort, David succeeded in gathering together great quantities of material (ch. 22:14). Wholehearted love produces wholehearted service.

Set my affection. Because of David’s love and devotion to God he was willing to give liberally of his own treasure that the Temple might be built. He had set an example in liberality, and now he could call for liberality.

Three thousand talents. If this was a regular talent, reckoned at 75.39 lb. (see Vol. I, p. 164), the amount of gold gathered by David would thus be about 113 tons (102 metric tons). However, we cannot be certain of the precise value of ancient standards of weight. See further pp. 122, 123. Seven thousand talents. On the basis of a talent weighing 75.39 lb. (see Vol. I, p. 164) the amount of silver contributed would be about 263 tons, or 239 metric tons. See above under “three thousand talents.”

Consecrate his service. David had willingly consecrated himself and his service to the Lord, and he could now call upon his people to do likewise. He identified the project of building the Temple with the service of God. By their faithfulness in this matter the people would reveal the extent of their faithfulness to God. Acceptable service to God is willing, cheerful, and immediate service.

Ellen G. White

Iron. On the basis of a talent weighing 75.39 lb. (Vol. I, p. 164) the amount of iron contributed would total about 3,770 tons, or 3,420 metric tons (see on v. 4 regarding ancient standards of weight). See further pp. 122, 123. Iron was of much greater value in those days than it is today.

The people rejoiced. A willing offering to God brings joy to the heart. Sacrificing Christians are happy Christians. The lack of joy in the life is often due to the lack of liberality in the soul. The king also rejoiced. David found joy in giving, and he rejoiced in the joy that came to his people from giving. A liberal Christian should be a joyous Christian.

Thine, O Lord. By his personal contact with God, David had caught a glimpse of the infinite greatness and glory of Heaven and the utter unworthiness and nothingness of man. In a spirit of genuine humility he ascribed all praise and honor to God. Compare the expression in the Lord’s Prayer: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt. 6:13).

We thank thee. Worship in its highest sense involves a recognition of God’s greatness and goodness and the response of the heart in joyous thanksgiving.

Who am I? David recognized his own unworthiness, and the utter inability of either himself or his people to give unto God unless God Himself had put into their hearts the spirit of giving and into their hands the wherewithal to give.

Of thine own. David frankly acknowledges that the earth and all therein are the Lord’s and that in the offerings made that day he and his people were only returning to God a little of what God had given to them.

Ellen G. White

All this store. That is, all this abundance of material and wealth. Of thine hand. All this abundance of treasure that Israel gave for the Temple had come from the hand of God, and was rightfully His. What man has, he receives from the bountiful hand of God (Ps. 104:28).

Triest the heart. Compare Ps. 7:9; 11:4; 26:2; 139:1; Jer. 11:20; Rev. 2:23. In uprightness. God’s interest is in righteousness and mercy, not in religious formalism and outward conformity to law. Uprightness within results in kindness, justice, honesty, and goodness without. God calls for a religion of the heart that produces the fruits of upright living (see Micah 6:8). I have willingly offered. There was no hypocrisy in this prayer; it sprang from deep sincerity. What David had done, he had done willingly and cheerfully, finding in such giving his keenest joy.

Keep this. That is, keep always in the hearts of God’s people the purpose and spirit manifested this day. Prepare their hearts. Or, “direct their hearts.” The moving of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of men and the placing of God’s love within the souls of men cause them to direct their thoughts to Heaven.

Worshipped. The word here translated “worshipped” means basically, “to bow down,” “to prostrate oneself.” In grateful praise the people lifted up their hearts in worship to God; and in joyous recognition of what they owed to the example and admonition of David, they made obeisance to their king.

The second time. For the first time that Solomon was made king see on 1 Chron. 23:1; 1 Kings 1:32–40.

Instead of David. Though David was still alive at this time, all active direction of the affairs of state was placed in the hands of Solomon.

Submitted themselves. That is, they pledged their allegiance to Solomon. This was particularly important in view of the conspiracy of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5–53).

Forty years. According to the chronology employed tentatively in this commentary (see Vol. II, pp. 134, 162, 77), David reigned from about 1011 to 971 B.C. Seven years. Compare 2 Sam. 5:5 (see Vol. II, p. 133).

The book of Samuel. Verse 29 points to the existence of a number of important books recording Israel’s early history.

The times. That is, the seasons of good and evil fortune that he experienced, the various vicissitudes that came to him, to his people, and to the nations round about.