1 Chronicles 29 Study Notes

29:1 Turning again to the assembled people, David drew attention to Solomon’s youth and lack of experience in the face of the immensity of the task. The temple must honor God, so it must reflect the greatness of God in its operation.

29:2 Since in v. 3 David refers to giving his own wealth, the donations mentioned in this verse must be a part of the spoils of war that David had collected.

29:3-4 After serving as king for forty years, David had accumulated quite a personal treasure, out of which he made a large contribution, including 100 tons of gold.

29:5 David equated making an offering with consecrating oneself to the Lord. God is never as interested in the material substance we contribute as he is in our devotion to him, of which our offering is an expression.

29:6-8 Pratt believes the enormous amounts given here may have been hyperbolic.

29:9 Obviously, not everyone had abundance to share, but everyone shared in the joy.

29:10 David’s lengthy prayer began by focusing on God. He did not minimize the gifts of the people, but he knew that their generosity was a product of God’s mercy.

29:11-13 David praised the Lord by declaring who he is and what he had done.

29:14-17 As David continued to focus on God, he acknowledged some important truths. It is not possible to give anything to God because God owns everything. David also declared that it is not possible to deceive God. He knows exactly who is giving willingly out of true devotion to him and who is giving just to be seen by others. The key is a heart that wants to please God.

29:18-19 David prays that such a generous and obedient heart will continue in the people and in Solomon.

29:20-22 After sacrifices and a feast, David made . . . Solomon king for a second time. Commentators are divided on the reference to a first coronation and how to interpret 23:1, which states that David installed Solomon as king. Some interpreters see this verse as a general summary of the events that are amplified in this chapter, but this mention of a second coronation could be an understated reference to the turmoil we read about in 1Kg 1. This turmoil resulted in David declaring Solomon to be king as an emergency measure in opposition to Adonijah’s bid for the throne. In either case, the transfer of power from David to Solomon proceeded smoothly, and he was acclaimed by all Israel.

29:23-25 The statement that God bestowed on Solomon such royal majesty as had not been bestowed on any king over Israel before him may sound odd since Solomon was preceded on Israel’s throne by only two men: Saul and David. See also 2Ch 1:12. But the point is that God established Solomon as the standard for grandeur which had never been attained before and which never would be reached again.

29:26-30 These verses summarize David’s reign and give an assessment of his success. This formula was applied to every king in 2 Chronicles after David. In each case the Chronicler gives a bottom-line evaluation of each king. For David he has nothing but praise. David lived a long life, indicative of a blessing from God, and he enjoyed riches and honor. His good old age was seventy (2Sm 5:4). The Chronicler also mentions several additional sources of information about David. These ancient books are likely lost, but they could be reflected in our books of 1 and 2 Samuel, which record the ministry of Samuel . . . Nathan, and Gad during the reign of David (1Sm 16:13; 2Sm 12:1; 24:11).