1 Chronicles 29:16

O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name [cometh] of thine hand, and [is] all thine own.

O LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, all this store {H1995} that we have prepared {H3559} to build {H1129} thee an house {H1004} for thine holy {H6944} name {H8034} cometh of thine hand {H3027}, and is all thine own.

ADONAI our God, all these supplies that we have prepared in order to build you a house for your holy name come from your own hand, all of it is already yours.

O LORD our God, from Your hand comes all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy Name, and all of it belongs to You.

O Jehovah our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name cometh of thy hand, and is all thine own.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:16 is part of King David’s magnificent prayer of thanksgiving and blessing to God, offered after the people of Israel had generously contributed vast resources for the construction of the Temple. This verse beautifully encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's sovereignty and ownership over all things.

Context of 1 Chronicles 29:16

Following years of preparation, King David, unable to build the Temple himself due to being a man of war (1 Chronicles 22:8), diligently gathered immense materials and treasures for its construction. In 1 Chronicles 29, David encourages the people to give willingly, and they respond with extraordinary generosity. This prayer, recited publicly, serves as a capstone to their collective effort, acknowledging that all the wealth and resources they had contributed were ultimately God's in the first place. It highlights David’s deep humility and understanding of divine provision, setting a powerful example for leadership and worship in the nation of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Ownership and Sovereignty: The core message is that everything belongs to God. David declares, "all this store...cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own." This echoes the truth found in Psalm 24:1, which states, "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof." This foundational truth underpins all biblical principles of giving and stewardship.
  • Stewardship, Not Ownership: The verse emphasizes that humans are merely stewards or managers of God's resources. Our ability to acquire wealth or prepare "store" comes from God (Deuteronomy 8:18). Therefore, returning a portion to Him is not a donation from our own, but an act of worship and recognition of His ultimate dominion.
  • Gratitude and Humility: David's prayer is filled with profound gratitude, recognizing God as the source of all blessings. This humility prevents pride in human accomplishment and rightly directs all praise back to the Creator.
  • Purposeful Giving: The "store" was prepared "to build thee an house for thine holy name." This shows that their generous giving had a specific, holy purpose – the glorification of God through the Temple, a central place of worship and His presence among His people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "store" (Hebrew: ḥôsn or koach, meaning wealth, treasure, strength, or substance) refers to the accumulated riches and materials. The phrase "cometh of thine hand" clearly indicates divine origin and provision, emphasizing that God is the ultimate giver of all resources. The emphatic declaration "is all thine own" underscores the absolute and undeniable ownership of God over all creation and all resources, leaving no room for human boasting or claim of independent wealth.

Practical Application

This verse provides a timeless principle for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Recognize that all we possess – our talents, time, finances, and possessions – are gifts from God. This perspective transforms our view of giving from an obligation to a joyful response of worship.
  • Practice Faithful Stewardship: We are called to manage God's resources wisely and for His glory, whether in our personal finances, our professional lives, or our service within the church and community.
  • Cultivate a Spirit of Generosity: Understanding that everything comes from God enables us to give cheerfully and willingly, as David and the Israelites did (2 Corinthians 9:7), knowing we are simply returning a portion of what is already His.

In essence, 1 Chronicles 29:16 reminds us that true prosperity and blessing are found in recognizing God as the ultimate source of all good things, and in humbly offering back to Him what He has graciously provided for His purposes.

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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

  • Psalms 24:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:14 (3 votes)

    But who [am] I, and what [is] my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things [come] of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

  • Luke 19:16 (2 votes)

    Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

  • Hosea 2:8 (2 votes)

    For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, [which] they prepared for Baal.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:10 (2 votes)

    And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since [the people] began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left [is] this great store.