1 Chronicles – Chapter 29

Old Testament30 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 29 of 1 Chronicles begins: "And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and the work is great, for…" The chapter centers on David, Solomon and Abraham. Across its 30 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and the work is great, for a house is prepared not for man, but for God.

2And I with all my ability have prepared the expenses for the house of my God. Gold for vessels of gold, and silver for vessels of silver, brass for things of brass, iron for things of iron, wood for things of wood: and onyx stones, and stones like alabaster, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble of Paros in great abundance.

3Now over and above the things which I have offered into the house of my God I give of my own proper goods, gold and silver for the temple of my God, beside what things I have prepared for the holy house.

4Three thousand talents of gold of the gold of Ophir: and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the temple.

5And gold for wheresoever there is need of gold: and silver for wheresoever there is need of silver, for the works to be made by the hands of the artificers: now if any man is willing to offer, let him fill his hand to day, and offer what he pleaseth to the Lord.

6Then the heads of the families, and the princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, and the overseers of the king's possessions promised,

7And they gave for the works of the house of the Lord, of gold, five thousand talents, and ten thousand solids: of silver ten thousand talents: and of brass eighteen thousand talents: and of iron a hundred thousand talents.

8And all they that had stones, gave them to the treasures of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jahiel the Gersonite.

9And the people rejoiced, when they promised their offerings willingly: because they offered them to the Lord with all their heart: and David the king rejoiced also with a great joy.

10And he blessed the Lord before all the multitude, and he said: Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of Israel, our father from eternity to eternity.

11Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power, and glory, and victory: and to thee is praise: for all that is in heaven, and in earth, is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art above all princes.

12Thine are riches, and thine is glory, thou hast dominion over all, in thy hand is power and might: in thy hand greatness, and the empire of all things.

13Now therefore our God we give thanks to thee, and we praise thy glorious name.

14Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to promise thee all these things? all things are thine: and we have given thee what we received of thy hand.

15For we are sojourners before thee, and strangers, as were all our fathers. I Our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no stay.

16O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name, is from thy hand, and all things are thine.

17I know my God that thou provest hearts, and lovest simplicity, wherefore I also in the simplicity of my heart, have joyfully offered all these things: and I have seen with great joy thy people, which are here present, offer thee their offerings.

18O Lord God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Israel our fathers, keep for ever this will of their heart, and let this mind remain always for the worship of thee.

19And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, that he may keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy ceremonies, and do all things: and build the house, for which I have provided the charges.

20And David commanded all the assembly: Bless ye the Lord our God. And all the assembly blessed the Lord the God of their fathers: and they bowed themselves and worshipped God, and then the king.

21And they sacrificed victims to the Lord: and they offered holocausts the next day, a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their libations, and with every thing prescribed most abundantly for all Israel.

22And they ate, and drank before the Lord that day with great joy. And they anointed the second time Solomon the son of David. And they anointed him to the Lord to be prince, and Sadoc to be high priest.

23And Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and he pleased all: and all Israel obeyed him.

24And all the princes, and men of power, and all the sons of king David gave their hand, and were subject to Solomon the king.

25And the Lord magnified Solomon over all Israel: and gave him the glory of a reign, such as no king of Israel had before him.

26So David the son of Isai reigned over all Israel.

27And the days that he reigned over Israel, were forty years: in Hebron he reigned seven years, and in Jerusalem three and thirty years.

28And he died in a good age, full of days, and riches, and glory. And Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

29Now the acts of king David first and last are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer:

30And of all his reign, and his valour, and of the times that passed under him, either in Israel, or in all the kingdoms of the countries.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 29

And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and the work is great, for a house is prepared not for man, but for God.

1 Chronicles 29:1

Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power, and glory, and victory: and to thee is praise: for all that is in heaven, and in earth, is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art above all princes.

1 Chronicles 29:11

O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name, is from thy hand, and all things are thine.

1 Chronicles 29:16

And David commanded all the assembly: Bless ye the Lord our God. And all the assembly blessed the Lord the God of their fathers: and they bowed themselves and worshipped God, and then the king.

1 Chronicles 29:20

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 1 Chronicles was written with the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship in view. Chapter 29 of 29 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David, Solomon, Abraham and Nathan appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and…" The final verse reads: "And of all his reign, and his valour, and of the times that passed under him, either in Israel, or in all the kingdoms…" In terms of historical background, Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of 1 Chronicles 29 presents a concrete episode in the history of David's legacy and Temple preparation. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and the work is great, for a house is prepared…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Chronicles 29 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2340).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Worship is central to God's people. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 1 Chronicles 29 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

David8 mentionsSolomon7 mentionsAbraham1 mentionNathan1 mentionSamuel1 mentionIsaac1 mention

Reflection for Today

In 1 Chronicles Chapter 29, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of David's legacy and Temple preparation.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). 1 Chronicles Chapter 29 supports that call by drawing attention to purity of heart and interior conversion within the wider message that Worship is central to God's people.

As you continue through 1 Chronicles, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 29 about?

1 Chronicles 29 contains 30 verses. It opens with "And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and…" and closes with "And of all his reign, and his valour, and of the times that passed under him, either in Israel, or in all the kingdoms…". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 29?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And king David said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and the work is great, for a house is prepared not for man, but…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 29?

This chapter mentions David, Solomon, Abraham, Nathan, Samuel, among others.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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