1 Chronicles 29:1

¶ Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, [is yet] young and tender, and the work [is] great: for the palace [is] not for man, but for the LORD God.

Furthermore David {H1732} the king {H4428} said {H559} unto all the congregation {H6951}, Solomon {H8010} my son {H1121}, whom alone {H259} God {H430} hath chosen {H977}, is yet young {H5288} and tender {H7390}, and the work {H4399} is great {H1419}: for the palace {H1002} is not for man {H120}, but for the LORD {H3068} God {H430}.

To the whole community, David the king said, "Shlomo my son is the only one God has chosen. But he is still young and inexperienced, whereas the work to be done is great; because the palace is not for anyone human, but for ADONAI, God.

Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

And David the king said unto all the assembly, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Jehovah God.

1 Chronicles 29:1 opens King David's final public address to the congregation of Israel, setting the stage for the monumental task of building the Temple in Jerusalem. In this verse, David publicly designates his son Solomon as his successor and the divinely chosen builder of God's house, while acknowledging Solomon's youth and the immense scale of the project.

Context

This verse is part of David's comprehensive preparations for the construction of the Temple. Although God had forbidden David himself from building the Temple due to his involvement in warfare (1 Chronicles 22:8), David dedicated his later years to gathering vast amounts of materials and organizing the workforce. This public declaration to "all the congregation" serves as a formal handover of the sacred responsibility, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership and continuity for the most significant building project in Israel's history. It underscores the spiritual and national importance of the Temple, which was to be the central place of worship for generations.

Key Themes

  • Divine Appointment and Election: David explicitly states that Solomon is "whom alone God hath chosen." This highlights that Solomon's kingship and his specific role in building the Temple were not merely a political succession but a direct divine mandate. It emphasizes God's sovereign hand in selecting leaders and fulfilling His purposes, a theme consistent throughout the books of Chronicles.
  • Youth and Humility: David acknowledges Solomon's inexperience: "young and tender." The Hebrew phrase, na'ar v'rak, literally means "youthful and soft," pointing to his lack of maturity and robust strength for such a monumental task. This admission sets a tone of humility and reliance on God's strength, rather than solely on human ability or wisdom.
  • The Magnitude of God's Work: David stresses that "the work is great." This was not just any building; it was to be the magnificent dwelling place for God's presence among His people. The sheer scale and sacred nature of the project demanded immense resources, skill, and spiritual dedication.
  • Ultimate Dedication to God: The declaration that "the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God" is central to the verse's meaning. It emphasizes that the Temple's ultimate purpose was exclusively for God's glory, worship, and the establishment of His covenant presence, not for human pride, comfort, or earthly power. This focus on God's honor sets the spiritual standard for all future endeavors related to the Temple and indeed, for all service in His name.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "young and tender" (Hebrew: na'ar v'rak) vividly portrays Solomon's youth and lack of seasoned experience. It serves to magnify the divine enablement that would be necessary for him to undertake such a colossal and sacred project, shifting the focus from human capability to God's empowering grace.
  • The word "palace" (Hebrew: birah) is used here to describe the Temple, elevating its status beyond a simple house to a grand, fortified, and royal dwelling. This choice of word underscores the Temple's magnificent and sacred nature, truly a fitting abode for the "LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim), the sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 29:1 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God Uses the Unqualified: This verse reminds us that God often chooses those who seem "young and tender" or unqualified by human standards to accomplish His great work. Our perceived limitations do not hinder God's plans when we are divinely chosen and reliant on His strength. It encourages us to step out in faith when God calls, regardless of our perceived inexperience.
  • Dedication in Service: Our efforts, whether in ministry, our professions, or daily life, should ultimately be "for the LORD God." When we dedicate our endeavors to His glory, their significance transcends human achievement and becomes part of His eternal purpose, reflecting the ultimate purpose of the Temple.
  • Recognizing God's Grandeur: The "great work" of building God's house reminds us that God's purposes are immense and profound. We are called to participate in something far grander than ourselves, contributing to His kingdom with a spirit of reverence, humility, and commitment, just as David prepared the way for Solomon to build a house for God's glory, a precursor to the spiritual temple of believers today.
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.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:5

    And David said, Solomon my son [is] young and tender, and the house [that is] to be builded for the LORD [must be] exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will [therefore] now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

  • 1 Kings 3:7

    And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in.

  • 2 Chronicles 13:7

    And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:19

    And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all [these things], and to build the palace, [for] the which I have made provision.

  • Jeremiah 1:6

    Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

  • Jeremiah 1:7

    But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:1

    ¶ 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.
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