1 Chronicles 26:27

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.

Out of the spoils {H7998} won in battles {H4421} did they dedicate {H6942} to maintain {H2388} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

From the spoil won in wars they had dedicated these things to repair the house of ADONAI.

They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD.

Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 26:27 records a specific aspect of the treasury for the future Temple in Jerusalem, highlighting how resources acquired through military victories were consecrated for God's purposes. This verse emphasizes the dedication of war spoils to maintain the house of the LORD, showcasing the Israelites' commitment to supporting their place of worship.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Chronicles (chapters 23-27) detailing King David's extensive organization of the Levites, priests, singers, gatekeepers, and treasurers before his death. Chapter 26 specifically focuses on the divisions of the gatekeepers and the officers over the treasures of the house of God and the dedicated things. Verse 27 specifically refers to the contribution of Shelomith and his brethren (mentioned in verse 26), who were in charge of these dedicated treasures. It underscores David's meticulous planning and provision for the Temple, which his son Solomon would ultimately build (1 Kings 6:1), ensuring its ongoing maintenance and operation through consecrated resources.

Key Themes

  • Consecration and Dedication: The act of setting apart resources, even those gained from war, as holy and devoted to God's service. This demonstrates a recognition that all blessings, including military victories, come from the Lord.
  • Stewardship: The careful management of resources for God's glory. The leaders and the people understood their responsibility to steward the spoils of battle for the maintenance of the sanctuary.
  • Support for God's House: The verse highlights the practical means by which the Temple, the central place of worship, was to be sustained. This principle of contributing to the upkeep of spiritual institutions remains vital for believers today.
  • Divine Provision and Gratitude: The spoils were "won in battles," implying God's hand in granting victory. Dedicating these spoils was an act of gratitude and worship, acknowledging God as the source of their success (Proverbs 3:9).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "spoils won in battles" translates the Hebrew word shalal (שָׁלָל), which refers to plunder or booty taken from an enemy. The word "dedicate" comes from the Hebrew root qadash (קָדַשׁ), meaning "to consecrate" or "to make holy." This emphasizes that these resources were not merely collected but were formally set apart for sacred use, underlining their special status for the "house of the LORD" (בֵּית יְהוָה - beit Yahweh), referring to the Temple.

Related Scriptures

King David himself set a precedent for dedicating spoils of war to the Lord. We see this principle earlier in his reign, where he dedicates silver and gold from conquered nations to the Lord, to be used for the Temple (2 Samuel 8:11-12). This verse in Chronicles reiterates and expands on that commitment, illustrating the practical organization for its implementation. The concept of bringing dedicated offerings for God's dwelling place is deeply rooted in Israelite history, going back to the construction and maintenance of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:21-29).

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 26:27 serves as a powerful reminder of our call to stewardship and generosity. Just as the Israelites dedicated their material gains to God's house, we are encouraged to consecrate our resources—our time, talents, and finances—to support the work of God's kingdom. This includes contributing to the local church, supporting missions, and engaging in ministries that spread the Gospel and care for others. It teaches us to acknowledge God as the ultimate provider of all our successes and to joyfully return a portion to Him for the advancement of His purposes on earth.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 6:19

    But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 12:14

    But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.

  • Nehemiah 10:32

    ¶ Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;

  • Nehemiah 10:34

    And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law:
← Back