And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
And David {H1732} prepared {H3559} iron {H1270} in abundance {H7230} for the nails {H4548} for the doors {H1817} of the gates {H8179}, and for the joinings {H4226}; and brass {H5178} in abundance {H7230} without weight {H4948};
David prepared a large store of iron from which to make nails and clamps for the gateway doors and, a quantity of bronze too great to weigh,
David provided a large quantity of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with more bronze than could be weighed
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight;
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1 Chronicles 22:14
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. -
1 Chronicles 29:2
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for [things to be made] of gold, and the silver for [things] of silver, and the brass for [things] of brass, the iron for [things] of iron, and wood for [things] of wood; onyx stones, and [stones] to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. -
1 Kings 7:47
And Solomon left all the vessels [unweighed], because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out. -
1 Chronicles 29:7
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. -
2 Chronicles 4:18
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out. -
Jeremiah 52:20
The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that [were] under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
1 Chronicles 22:3 details King David's meticulous and extensive preparations for the construction of the future Temple in Jerusalem, a task he was divinely appointed to pass on to his son, Solomon. This verse specifically highlights the vast quantities of raw materials David gathered, emphasizing his foresight and dedication.
Context
Following God's instruction that his son, Solomon, would build the Temple rather than himself (due to David's history as a man of war, as seen in 1 Chronicles 22:8), David devoted the remainder of his reign to preparing for this monumental project. He understood the immense scale of the undertaking, which would be "exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries" (1 Chronicles 22:5). This verse, coming after David had gathered foreign workers (1 Chronicles 22:2), focuses on the specific metals he procured. His actions demonstrate a profound commitment to God's plan, even if he wouldn't see its completion.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "without weight" (Hebrew: lo' mishqal) for the brass emphasizes the sheer, immeasurable quantity. It suggests an amount so vast that it was not practical to weigh, signifying a truly enormous supply. This hyperbolic expression underscores the immense scale of David's preparations and his desire for the Temple to be unparalleled in its magnificence.
Practical Application
David's example in 1 Chronicles 22:3 offers several lessons for believers today: