1 Chronicles 28:2

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

Then David {H1732} the king {H4428} stood up {H6965} upon his feet {H7272}, and said {H559}, Hear {H8085} me, my brethren {H251}, and my people {H5971}: As for me, I had in mine heart {H3824} to build {H1129} an house {H1004} of rest {H4496} for the ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068}, and for the footstool {H1916}{H7272} of our God {H430}, and had made ready {H3559} for the building {H1129}:

Then David the king rose to his feet and said: "My kinsmen and my people! Listen to me! I set my heart on building a house where the ark for the covenant of ADONAI could remain at rest. It would have been God's footstool, and I prepared to build it.

Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building.

Context of 1 Chronicles 28:2

King David's address in 1 Chronicles 28:2 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. It is David's final public speech, delivered to a grand assembly of Israel's leaders, including princes, captains, officers, and mighty men. This significant gathering serves as the official transition of power from David to his son, Solomon. The verse sets the stage for David's instructions regarding the building of the Temple, a project that had been close to his heart for many years but was ultimately assigned by God to Solomon. David, though old and infirm, stands up to emphasize the solemnity and importance of his words, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the Lord and the future of the nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • David's Devotion and Desire: The verse highlights King David's profound desire to build a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's presence among His people. His statement, "I had in mine heart to build an house of rest," reveals a deep personal commitment and love for God, wanting to provide a suitable, stable home for the sacred object that had previously resided in a tent.
  • The Ark as God's Dwelling Place: Referring to the Ark as "an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God" underscores its immense spiritual significance. The "footstool of our God" is a poetic expression for the Ark, particularly the mercy seat upon it, signifying the place where God symbolically 'rests' or manifests His presence. This emphasizes the sanctity and centrality of God's presence in Israel's worship and national identity.
  • Preparation and Readiness: David states he "had made ready for the building." This indicates that even though God had revealed that David would not be the one to build the Temple (2 Samuel 7:13, 1 Chronicles 17:12), David diligently gathered vast quantities of materials, resources, and plans. This demonstrates his commitment to stewardship and his willingness to contribute to God's work, even if he wouldn't see the completion of it himself.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "house of rest" translates the Hebrew `bayit menuchah` (בַּיִת מְנוּחָה). The word `menuchah` signifies "rest, quiet, settled place." This contrasts sharply with the Ark's previous nomadic existence in the tabernacle, a movable tent. David's desire was not just for a structure, but for a permanent, secure, and honorable dwelling place for the symbol of God's presence, reflecting a desire for stability in Israel's relationship with God.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. God Values Our Heart's Intent: David's desire to build the Temple was pure, even though God chose Solomon for the task. This reminds us that God sees and honors our sincere intentions and desires to serve Him, even if our plans don't align perfectly with His ultimate will.
  2. Preparation for Future Generations: David's extensive preparations, despite knowing he wouldn't build the Temple, exemplify faithful stewardship. We are called to prepare and lay foundations for the next generation, investing in God's work even if others will see the ultimate fruit of our labor.
  3. Honoring God's Presence: David's reverence for the Ark as "the footstool of our God" encourages us to prioritize and honor God's presence in our lives and communities. While we no longer have a physical Ark, the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, making us a temple of God's Spirit.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 66:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

  • Psalms 99:5

    Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; [for] he [is] holy.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:2

    Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that [is] in thine heart; for God [is] with thee.

  • Lamentations 2:1

    ¶ How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, [and] cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

  • Psalms 132:3

    Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

  • Psalms 132:8

    Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

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