1 Chronicles 28:14

KJV

[He gave] of gold by weight for [things] of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; [silver also] for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

KJV (with Strong's)

He gave of gold {H2091} by weight {H4948} for things of gold {H2091}, for all instruments {H3627} of all manner of service {H5656}; silver also for all instruments {H3627} of silver {H3701} by weight {H4948}, for all instruments {H3627} of every kind of service {H5656}:

Complete Jewish Bible

[lists] of the weights of gold needed for the gold items to be used for various purposes, and the weights of silver needed for the silver items to be used for various purposes -

Berean Standard Bible

the weight of all the gold articles for every kind of service; the weight of all the silver articles for every kind of service;

American Standard Version

of gold by weight for the vessels of gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; of silver for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 28:14 encapsulates King David's meticulous and divinely guided provision for the construction of the First Temple, specifically detailing the precise allocation of gold and silver by weight for all the various instruments and vessels required for sacred service. This verse highlights the unparalleled attention to detail and the immense value placed upon every component dedicated to the worship of God, underscoring the sacredness and order inherent in the divine blueprint for His dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal moment in Israel's history: King David's final public address and transfer of leadership to his son Solomon. In [1 Chronicles 28](/1_chronicles/28 "1 Chronicles 28 - David's Charge to Solomon"), David gathers all the leaders of Israel, presenting Solomon as God's chosen builder of the Temple. Having been forbidden by God to build the Temple himself due to his involvement in warfare ([1 Chronicles 22:8](/1_chronicles/22-8 "1 Chronicles 22:8 - David Forbidden to Build the Temple")), David dedicates his later years to amassing vast quantities of materials and receiving the divine blueprint for the Temple's construction. Verses [1 Chronicles 28:11-13](/1_chronicles/28-11 "1 Chronicles 28:11-13 - David Gives Solomon the Temple Plan") describe David giving Solomon the detailed architectural plans for the Temple, its courts, and chambers, which he states were "by the Spirit" and "from the hand of the Lord." Verse 14, therefore, is a direct continuation of this detailed instruction, focusing specifically on the precise material provision for the Temple's operational instruments, emphasizing the exactness of the divine pattern.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of a central temple was a monumental undertaking in ancient Israel, signifying the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for Yahweh among His people, a concept rooted in the Tabernacle tradition. In the ancient Near East, temples were considered the earthly residences of deities, and their construction, materials, and furnishings were often dictated by religious traditions and divine instructions, reflecting the god's power and glory. The use of vast quantities of precious metals like gold and silver for sacred vessels was common, symbolizing purity, value, and the deity's exalted status. The meticulous weighing of these materials, as emphasized by "by weight," was not merely an accounting practice but also a testament to the sanctity of the objects and the precision expected in all matters pertaining to divine worship. This cultural emphasis on the sacredness of space and objects dedicated to the divine provides a backdrop for understanding the profound significance of David's detailed preparations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within [1 Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "The Book of 1 Chronicles - A Chronicle of Kings and Temple"):
* **Divine Precision and Order:** The repeated phrase "by weight" (Hebrew: _mishqal_) underscores that the Temple's construction and furnishings were not left to human estimation but were subject to exact, divinely ordained measurements. This reflects God's nature as a God of order, who demands excellence and specificity in all things related to His worship and presence, as seen in the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle").
* **Sacredness of Service and Objects:** The meticulous allocation of precious metals for "all instruments of all manner of service" elevates the status of these objects from mere tools to consecrated vessels. Every item, from the grandest altar to the smallest utensil, was set apart for holy use, emphasizing the profound reverence due to God and the sacredness of worship within His dwelling place.
* **Generous Provision and Stewardship:** David's personal immense contribution and the nation's subsequent freewill offerings ([1 Chronicles 29:9](/1_chronicles/29-9 "1 Chronicles 29:9 - The People's Freewill Offerings")) demonstrate a spirit of profound devotion and sacrifice. This verse highlights David's exemplary stewardship of the vast resources God had entrusted to him, ensuring that the Temple would be built with the finest materials, reflecting the glory of God.
* **Legacy and Continuity:** David, unable to build the Temple himself, meticulously prepared everything for Solomon, entrusting him with both the material resources and the divine blueprint. This act underscores the importance of passing on a spiritual legacy and ensuring the continuity of God's work across generations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"by weight" (Hebrew, מִשְׁקָל, _mishqal_):** This term is crucial, appearing twice in the verse. It signifies not merely a general quantity but a precise, measured amount. It implies that the gold and silver were not simply provided in bulk, but were carefully weighed and designated for specific instruments and purposes, reflecting an exactness that mirrors the divine standard for the Temple's construction and the importance of quality and specificity in all things dedicated to God's service.
* **"instruments of all manner of service" (Hebrew, כְּלֵי כָּל־עֲבוֹדָה, _k'lei kol-'avodah_):** This comprehensive phrase refers to all types of vessels, tools, and utensils used in the Temple's operations. This includes items for sacrifices, offerings, anointing, cleaning, and general maintenance. The breadth of this phrase emphasizes that every single item, regardless of its apparent significance, was to be made with the utmost precision and from the finest materials, because it was consecrated for the Lord's service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[He gave] of gold by weight for [things] of gold":** This clause establishes the first category of material: gold. The phrase "of gold... for things of gold" indicates that specific weights of raw gold were allocated for the creation of various gold objects, implying a meticulous process of design and fabrication according to the divine pattern.
* **"for all instruments of all manner of service":** This expands on the purpose of the gold, specifying that it was intended for the entire array of tools and vessels used in the Temple's comprehensive worship and ritual functions. This highlights the all-encompassing nature of the provision and the sacredness of every item.
* **"[silver also] for all instruments of silver by weight":** This introduces the second category of material, silver, and parallels the structure of the first part of the verse. It shows that the same exacting standard of "by weight" was applied to silver, indicating that its allocation was just as precise and intentional as that of gold.
* **"for all instruments of every kind of service":** This final clause reinforces the comprehensive scope of the provision for silver instruments, echoing the earlier phrase for gold. The slight variation in wording ("every kind" instead of "all manner") serves to emphasize the exhaustive nature of the provision, ensuring that no type of service or instrument was overlooked in David's divinely inspired preparations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Parallelism** and **Emphasis through Repetition**. The structure of the verse clearly demonstrates parallelism, where the provision of gold is meticulously described, followed by a parallel description for silver. This creates a balanced and rhythmic flow, highlighting the equal importance and meticulousness applied to both precious metals. The phrase "by weight" is repeated for both gold and silver, serving as a form of **Repetition** that strongly emphasizes the divine demand for precision and exactness in the Temple's construction. Furthermore, the comprehensive phrases "all instruments of all manner of service" and "all instruments of every kind of service" act as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Merism**, signifying the totality and completeness of the provision, ensuring that every conceivable tool or vessel for the Temple's operations was accounted for and made from the finest, precisely measured materials.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 28:14 speaks profoundly to the nature of God and the character of worship He desires. The meticulous detail and precise weighing of precious metals for the Temple's instruments underscore God's holiness and His demand for excellence in all things dedicated to Him. This is not merely about material wealth, but about the attitude of the heart that offers its very best, recognizing that God is worthy of ultimate reverence and the highest quality of service. The Old Testament repeatedly emphasizes that God's dwelling place and the worship conducted within it must reflect His perfection and glory. This principle extends beyond the physical Temple, teaching us that our worship, our service, and our lives—as spiritual temples—should be offered with intentionality, precision, and a heart fully devoted to God.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - The Pattern for the Tabernacle")
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Earthly Sanctuary a Copy of Heavenly")
* [Malachi 1:6-8](/malachi/1-6 "Malachi 1:6-8 - Blemished Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of David's preparations for the Temple, particularly the precise allocation of materials "by weight" for every instrument of service, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our service to God is not to be haphazard or half-hearted, but characterized by excellence, intentionality, and a recognition of His supreme worth. Just as every piece of the Temple, no matter how small, was consecrated and precisely crafted, so too should every aspect of our lives be offered to God with care and devotion. This calls us to be good stewards of the resources—time, talents, and finances—He has entrusted to us, allocating them purposefully for His kingdom. It challenges us to reflect on the quality of our worship, our work, and our relationships, ensuring that we are giving our best to the One who gave His all for us. Our lives, as living sacrifices, are meant to be instruments of service, precisely fashioned and wholly dedicated to His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or service do you tend to offer less than your best, and how can you cultivate a spirit of excellence for God's glory?**
* **How does the meticulousness of David's preparations for the Temple inform your understanding of God's character and His expectations for our worship?**
* **Considering your "instruments of service" (your gifts, skills, resources), how are you intentionally allocating them "by weight" for God's purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why did David emphasize such precise measurements ("by weight") for the Temple instruments?**

Answer: The emphasis on precise measurements, "by weight," for the Temple instruments was multi-faceted. Firstly, it underscored the divine origin of the Temple's design. David explicitly states that the pattern for the Temple and its furnishings was given to him "by the Spirit" and "from the hand of the Lord" ([1 Chronicles 28:11-12](/1_chronicles/28-11 "1 Chronicles 28:11-12 - David Receives the Temple Plan")). This precision reflected God's own perfect order and holiness, indicating that everything related to His dwelling place must be exact and without flaw. Secondly, it emphasized the immense value and sacredness of the objects. These were not mere tools but consecrated vessels for holy service, and their precise crafting from precious metals highlighted their set-apart nature. Finally, it demonstrated David's commitment to exemplary stewardship and his desire for the Temple to be built with the utmost integrity and quality, reflecting the glory of the God it was meant to honor.

**What does "all instruments of all manner of service" encompass?**

Answer: This comprehensive phrase refers to the entire array of vessels, tools, and utensils required for the diverse functions and rituals within the Temple. This would include items for the sacrificial system (e.g., basins, shovels, flesh hooks), for the lighting of the menorah, for the presentation of the showbread, for the anointing oils, for the incense offerings, and for various cleaning and maintenance tasks. It signifies that no item, however seemingly minor, was insignificant in the context of Temple worship. Every instrument, from the largest altar to the smallest spoon, was to be precisely made from the designated precious metal, because it was consecrated for the Lord's service, emphasizing the holistic and detailed nature of worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous precision and costly materials designated for the Temple's instruments in [1 Chronicles 28:14](/1_chronicles/28-14 "1 Chronicles 28:14 - Temple Instrument Specifications") find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly Temple, with its detailed specifications and sacred instruments, was a shadow and a copy of a heavenly reality ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Earthly Sanctuary a Copy of Heavenly")). Jesus Himself is the true and ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity, in whom all the fullness of God dwells bodily ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection") and [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). The precise "weight" and "manner of service" of the Old Testament instruments foreshadow the perfection and completeness of Christ's work on the cross, where He offered Himself as the flawless, once-for-all sacrifice, perfectly fulfilling every requirement of the law and every type of service needed for our redemption ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, in the New Covenant, believers are called to be living stones, built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")). Our service, no longer bound by physical instruments of gold and silver, is now a spiritual act of worship, offered in spirit and truth through the perfect "instrument" of Christ's finished work ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.