TRV
Translation
King James Version
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:
KJV (with Strong's)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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,
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, “Hear me, my brothers, and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And King Dauid stoode vp vpon his feete; and saide, Heare ye me, my brethren and my people: I purposed to haue buylt an house of rest for the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, and for a footestoole of our God, and haue made ready for the building,
Young's Literal Translation
And David the king riseth on his feet, and saith, `Hear me, my brethren and my people, I--with 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 prepared to build,
See also
In the KJVVerse 11,146 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28 verses 1–10
1 ¶ And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
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:
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:
5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details
A great deal of service David had done in his day, had served his generation according to the will of God, Act 13:36. But now the time draws night that he must die, and, as a type of the Son of David, the nearer he comes to his end the more busy he is, and does his work with all his might. He is now a little recovered from the indisposition mentioned Kg1 1:1, when they covered him with clothes, and he got no heat: but was cure is there for old age? He therefore improves his recovery, as giving him an opportunity of doing God and his country a little more service.
I. He summoned all the great men to attend him, that he might take leave of them all together, Ch1 28:1. Thus Moses did (Deu 31:28), and Joshua, Jos 23:2; Jos 24:1. David would not declare the settlement of the crown but in the presence, and to the satisfaction, of those that were the representatives of the people.
II. He addressed them with a great deal of respect and tenderness. He not only exerted himself to rise from his bed, to give them the meeting (the occasion putting new spirits into him), but he rose out of his chair, and stood up upon his feet (Ch1 28:2), in reverence to God whose will he was to declare, and in reverence to this solemn assembly of the Israel of God, as if he looked upon himself, though major singulis - greater than any individual among them, yet minor universis - less than the whole of them together. His age and infirmities, as well as his dignity, might well have allowed him to keep his seat; but he would show that he was indeed humbled for the pride of his heart both in the numbers of his people and his dominion over them. It had been too much his pleasure that they were all his servants (Ch1 21:3), but now he calls them his brethren, whom he loved, his people, whom he took care of, not his servants, whom he had command of: Hear me, my brethren, and my people. It becomes superiors thus to speak with affection and condescension even to their inferiors; they will not be the less honoured for it, but the more beloved. Thus he engages their attention to what he was about to say.
III. He declared the purpose he had formed to build a temple for God, and God's disallowing that purpose, Ch1 28:2, Ch1 28:3. This he had signified to Solomon before, Ch1 22:7, Ch1 22:8. A house of rest for the ark is here said to be a house of rest for the footstool of our God; for heaven is his throne of glory; the earth, and the most magnificent temples that can be built upon it, are but his footstool: so much difference is there between the manifestations of the divine glory in the upper and lower world. Angels surround his throne, Isa 6:1. We poor worms do but worship at his footstool Psa 99:5; Psa 132:7. As an evidence of the sincerity of his purpose to build the temple, he tells them that he had made ready for it, but that God would not suffer him to proceed because he had appointed other work for him to do, which was enough for one man, namely, the managing of the wars of Israel. He must serve the public with the sword; another must do it with the line and plummet. Times of rest are building times, Act 9:31.
IV. He produced his own title first, and then Solomon's, to the crown; both were undoubtedly jure divino - divine. They could make out such a title as no monarch on earth can; the Lord God of Israel chose them both immediately, by prophecy, not providence, Ch1 28:4, Ch1 28:5. No right of primogeniture is pretended. Detur digniori, non seniori - It went by worth, not by age. 1. Judah was not the eldest son of Jacob, yet God chose that tribe to be the ruling tribe; Jacob entailed the sceptre upon it, Gen 49:10. 2. It does not appear that the family of Jesse was the senior house of that tribe; from Judah it is certain that it was not, for Shelah was before Pharez; whether from Nahshon and Salmon is not certain. Ram, the father of Nahshon, had a elder brother, Ch1 2:9. Perhaps so had Boaz, Obed, and Jesse. Yet "God chose the house of my father." 3. David was the youngest son of Jesse, yet God liked him to make him king; so it seemed good unto him. God takes whom he likes, and likes whom he makes like himself, as he did David, a man after his own heart. 4. Solomon was one of the youngest sons of David, and yet God chose him to sit upon the throne, because he was the likeliest of them all to build the temple, the wisest and best inclined.
V. He opened to them God's gracious purposes concerning Solomon (Ch1 28:6, Ch1 28:7): I have chosen him to be my son. Thus he declares the decree, that the Lord had said to Solomon, as a type of Christ, Thou art my son (Psa 2:7), the son of my love; for he was called Jedidiah, because the Lord loved him, and Christ is his beloved Son. Of him God said, as a figure of him that was to come, 1. He shall build my house. Christ is both the founder and the foundation of the gospel temple. 2. I will establish his kingdom for ever. This must have its accomplishment in the kingdom of the Messiah, which shall continue in his hands through all the ages of time (Isa 9:7; Luk 1:33) and shall then be delivered up to God, even the Father, yet perhaps to be delivered back to the Redeemer for ever. As to Solomon, this promise of the establishment of his kingdom is here made conditional: If he be constant to do my commandments, as at this day. Solomon was now very towardly and good: "If he continue so, his kingdom shall continue, otherwise not." Note, If we be constant to our duty, then, and not otherwise, we may expect the continuance of God's favour. Let those that are well taught, and begin well, take notice of this - if they be constant, they are happy; perseverance wears the crown, though it wins it not.
VI. He charged them to adhere stedfastly to God and their duty, Ch1 28:8. Observe, 1. The matter for this charge: Keep, and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God. The Lord was their God; his commandments must be their rule; they must have respect to them all, must make conscience of keeping them, and, in order thereunto, must seek for them, that is, must be inquisitive concerning their duty, search the scriptures, take advice, seek the law at the mouth of those whose lips were to keep this knowledge, and pray to God to teach and direct them. God's commandments will not be kept without great care. 2. The solemnity of it. He charged them in the sight of all Israel, who would all have notice of this public charge, and in the audience of their God. "God is witness, and this congregation is witness, that they have good counsel given them, and fair warning; if they do not take it, it is their fault, and God and man will be witnesses against them." See Ti1 5:21; Ti2 4:1. Those that profess religion, as they tender the favour of God and their reputation with men, must be faithful to their profession. 3. The motive to observe this charge. It was the way to be happy, to have the peaceable possession of this good land themselves and to preserve the entail of it upon their children.
VII. He concluded with a charge to Solomon himself, Ch1 28:9, Ch1 28:10. He was much concerned that Solomon should be religious. He was to be a great man, but he must not think religion below him - a wise man, and this would be his wisdom. Observe,
1.The charge he gives him. He must look upon God and the God of his father, his good father, who had devoted him to God and educated him for God. He was born in God's house and therefore bound in duty to be his, brought up in his house and therefore bound in gratitude. Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not. He must know God and serve him. We cannot serve God aright if we do not know him; and in vain do we know him if we do not serve him, serve him with heart and mind. We make nothing of religion if we do not mind it, and make heart-work of it. Serve him with a perfect, that is, an upright heart (for sincerity is our gospel perfection), and with a willing mind, from a principle of love, and as a willing people, cheerfully and with pleasure.
2.The arguments to enforce this charge.
(1.)Two arguments of general inducement: - [1.] That the secrets of our souls are open before God; he searches all hearts, even the hearts of kings, which to men are unsearchable, Pro 25:3. We must therefore be sincere, because, if we deal deceitfully, God sees it, and cannot be imposed upon; we must therefore employ our thoughts, and engage them in God's service, because he fully understands all the imaginations of them, both good and bad. [2.] That we are happy or miserable here, and for ever, according as we do, or do not, serve God. If we seek him diligently, he will be found of us, and that is enough to make us happy, Heb 11:6. If we forsake him, desert his service and turn from following him, he will cast us off for ever, and that is enough to make us miserable. Note, God never casts any off till they have first cast him off. Here is,
(2.)One argument peculiar to Solomon (Ch1 28:10): "Thou art to build a house for the sanctuary; therefore seek and serve God, that that work may be done from a good principle, in a right manner, and may be accepted."
3.The means prescribed in order hereunto, and they are prescribed to us all. (1.) Caution: Take heed; beware of every thing that looks like, or leads to, that which is evil. (2.) Courage: Be strong, and do it. We cannot do our work as we should unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from divine grace.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–10. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 1 Chronicles 28:2 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
King David's address in 1 Chronicles 28:2 marks a profound moment of national transition and spiritual devotion. Standing before a grand assembly of Israel's leaders, David articulates his long-cherished desire to construct a permanent dwelling, a "house of rest," for the Ark of the Covenant, which he reverently refers to as "the footstool of our God." Though divinely prevented from completing this task himself, the verse highlights David's fervent heart, his diligent preparations, and his solemn transfer of this sacred commission to his son, Solomon, setting the stage for the building of the First Temple.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse serves as the powerful opening to David's final public address to the assembled leaders of Israel, a pivotal moment in the Chronicler's narrative. Following extensive chapters detailing David's military victories, administrative organization, and meticulous preparations for the Temple's construction (chapters 1 Chronicles 22-27 and 1 Chronicles 27), chapter 1 Chronicles 28 shifts focus dramatically to the formal transfer of the kingdom and, more importantly, the sacred Temple building mandate to his son, Solomon. David's act of "standing up upon his feet" signifies the utmost solemnity and authority of his words, emphasizing the gravity of the occasion—a national assembly where the future of Israel's worship, governance, and covenant relationship with God is being publicly entrusted to the next generation. This speech functions as a theological and practical bridge, meticulously connecting David's divine vision with Solomon's future responsibilities, thereby ensuring continuity in God's redemptive plan for His people.
Historical & Cultural Context: David's reign was a transformative period, characterized by the consolidation of the Israelite kingdom and the establishment of Jerusalem as both its political and religious capital. For centuries, the Ark of the Covenant, the supreme symbol of God's presence and covenant fidelity, had been housed in a portable tent, the Tabernacle, reflecting Israel's nomadic past. David's fervent desire to build a permanent temple was a natural and significant progression for a settled, unified kingdom, mirroring the practices of surrounding Near Eastern nations who constructed magnificent temples for their deities as central expressions of national identity and religious devotion. Culturally, a king's legacy was often inextricably linked to grand building projects, especially those dedicated to the national deity. David's foresight in gathering vast quantities of materials and making extensive preparations, even knowing he would not personally build the Temple, demonstrates a profound commitment to long-term national and religious infrastructure, a common and commendable practice for monarchs preparing for their successors.
Key Themes: The verse profoundly emphasizes several key themes prevalent throughout the book of 1 Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores David's deep devotion and unwavering faithfulness to Yahweh, revealing his personal, heartfelt desire to honor God by providing a suitable, permanent dwelling for His manifest presence. This aligns perfectly with the Chronicler's portrayal of David as an ideal king, whose heart is wholly committed to God's will, even when that will differs from his personal aspirations, as seen in the parallel accounts of God's covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:1-17 and 1 Chronicles 17:1-15. Secondly, it highlights the centrality and sanctity of the Ark of the Covenant as the tangible symbol of God's presence among His people, referred to reverently as "the footstool of our God," signifying His throne and dwelling place on earth. Finally, the theme of divine election and faithful succession is prominently displayed, as David explicitly acknowledges God's sovereign choice of Solomon to complete the sacred task, reinforcing the divine hand in Israel's leadership and ensuring the continuity of God's covenant promises, a theme powerfully echoed in David's instructions to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22:7-10.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to enhance its impact and convey its profound meaning. Solemn Address is powerfully evident in David's deliberate act of standing and his direct command, "Hear me, my brethren, and my people," which immediately elevates the speech's importance and demands the audience's full attention. This rhetorical device emphasizes the gravity of the transition of power and the sacred nature of the Temple commission. Metaphor is brilliantly used in the phrase "the footstool of our God" to describe the Ark of the Covenant. This vivid imagery portrays God as a majestic, enthroned King, with the Ark serving as the symbolic base of His earthly presence. This metaphor not only underscores the Ark's immense sanctity and its role as the central point of God's immanence but also reinforces His absolute sovereignty. Furthermore, the concept of a "house of rest" for the Ark functions as potent Symbolism, representing a deep desire for stability, permanence, and a settled, secure relationship between God and His people, contrasting sharply with the Ark's previous nomadic existence in the Tabernacle.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 28:2 beautifully illustrates the profound theological truth that while God is transcendent and cannot be contained by any human structure, He graciously condescends to dwell among His people. David's passionate desire to build a "house of rest" for the Ark, "the footstool of our God," reflects a deep reverence for God's presence and a longing for a settled, permanent place for worship in the heart of the nation. This desire, though not fully realized by David himself due to divine prerogative, was honored by God and became the foundational impetus for the Temple, which served as the focal point of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The verse also highlights the theme of divine sovereignty in choosing both the builder (Solomon) and the ultimate design, emphasizing that God's plans prevail over human intentions, no matter how noble or heartfelt, ensuring His perfect will is accomplished.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's earnest desire to build a "house of rest" for God's presence, even though God had a different plan for its execution, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God values the sincere intentions and pure desires of our hearts to serve Him, even when our specific plans or roles may not perfectly align with His ultimate will. David's meticulous preparations, despite knowing he wouldn't see the Temple completed, exemplify faithful stewardship, diligent planning, and a commitment to laying foundations for future generations. We are called to invest in God's kingdom work with diligence and foresight, understanding that our efforts contribute to a larger, ongoing divine narrative that extends beyond our individual lifetimes and immediate gratification. Furthermore, David's profound reverence for the Ark as "the footstool of our God" challenges us to prioritize and honor God's presence in our own lives and communities. While we no longer have a physical Ark, the Holy Spirit indwells believers, making us living temples of God. Our lives, therefore, should be "houses of rest" for the Spirit, characterized by holiness, worship, and a fervent desire to manifest God's presence and glory in the world through our actions and attitudes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was David not permitted to build the Temple, despite his desire?
Answer: David's desire to build a "house of rest" for the Ark was noble and stemmed from a pure heart, as 1 Chronicles 28:2 clearly states. However, God revealed through the prophet Nathan that David, as a man of war who had shed much blood in establishing the kingdom, was not the one chosen to build the Temple. Instead, this sacred task was reserved for his son, Solomon, a man of peace, whose reign would be characterized by rest from enemies. This divine decision is explicitly stated in 1 Chronicles 22:8 and affirmed by Solomon himself in 1 Kings 5:3. This demonstrated God's sovereignty in choosing His instruments and emphasized that the Temple was not merely a human endeavor but a divinely ordained project, built by one whose hands were not stained by warfare, symbolizing a new era of peace.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's earnest desire to build a "house of rest" for the Ark of the Covenant, the "footstool of our God," finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While David sought to provide a physical dwelling for God's symbolic presence, Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity. He boldly proclaimed, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His own body (John 2:19-21). In Christ, God's presence is not confined to a building or an object, but fully embodied in a person, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us. Furthermore, David's longing for a "house of rest" foreshadows the spiritual rest that Christ offers to all who come to Him. Jesus invites, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He is the ultimate "rest" for our souls, providing a permanent, secure dwelling place for God's Spirit within believers, making them living temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Thus, David's grand vision, though significant in its time, pointed forward to the greater reality of Christ, who is both the true Temple where God dwells in fullness and the source of eternal rest and peace for His redeemed people.