1 Chronicles 29:20

KJV

And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} to all the congregation {H6951}, Now bless {H1288} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}. And all the congregation {H6951} blessed {H1288} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of their fathers {H1}, and bowed down their heads {H6915}, and worshipped {H7812} the LORD {H3068}, and the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then David said to all the community, "Now bless ADONAI your God." All the community blessed ADONAI, the God of their ancestors, bowing their heads and prostrating themselves before ADONAI and before the king.

Berean Standard Bible

Then David said to the whole assembly, “Blessed be the LORD your God.” So the whole assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and paid homage to the LORD and to the king.

American Standard Version

And David said to all the assembly, Now bless Jehovah your God. And all the assembly blessed Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped Jehovah, and the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 29:20 culminates a profound moment of national unity and spiritual revival, capturing the congregation's collective act of worship and reverence at the close of King David's reign. Following an overwhelming display of generosity for the Temple's construction and David's magnificent prayer of thanksgiving, this verse records the people's unified response of blessing the Lord and acknowledging both divine supremacy and the king's divinely appointed leadership. It serves as a powerful summary of Israel's corporate devotion and submission before God and their earthly leader.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic response to a series of significant events in [1 Chronicles 29](/1_chronicles/29 "1 Chronicles 29 - David's Final Instructions and Prayer"). It immediately follows David's passionate exhortation to the entire assembly, urging them to give generously for the building of God's Temple ([1 Chronicles 29:1-9](/1_chronicles/29-1 "1 Chronicles 29:1-9 - David's Exhortation and the People's Generosity")). The people responded with extraordinary willingness and joy, offering vast sums of materials, demonstrating their devotion and unity. David then offered a magnificent prayer of thanksgiving and blessing to God, acknowledging His sovereignty, the people's generous hearts, and the transient nature of human life ([1 Chronicles 29:10-19](/1_chronicles/29-10 "1 Chronicles 29:10-19 - David's Prayer of Thanksgiving")). Verse 20, therefore, marks the congregation's collective affirmation and worship, sealing this moment of national spiritual revival and setting the stage for Solomon's ascension and the Temple's construction. It is a moment of profound corporate spiritual commitment before the transition of leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a grand national assembly, a crucial gathering for the people of Israel, convened by King David. In ancient Israel, such assemblies were vital for major national undertakings, covenant renewals, and transitions of power. The act of "blessing the LORD" and "bowing down" was a deeply ingrained cultural and religious practice signifying adoration, submission, and respect. The phrase "God of their fathers" explicitly connects this generation's worship to the covenant established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing continuity in their national and spiritual identity. The distinction between worshipping "the LORD" and bowing to "the king" is critical, reflecting the unique monotheistic nature of Israelite worship where ultimate adoration is reserved for God alone, while earthly rulers, though divinely appointed, receive honor and respect, not worship. This assembly also highlights the king's role as a spiritual leader, guiding his people in worship and devotion to God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout [1 Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles - The Book of Chronicles"). These include **Collective Worship and Unity**, where David's command for the congregation to "bless the LORD" underscores the immense importance of corporate worship, and the unified response demonstrates a shared spiritual purpose and national solidarity, reinforcing their covenant relationship with God. It also highlights **Reverence and Humility**, as the physical acts of "bowing down their heads" and "worshipping the LORD" signify deep reverence, humility, and submission before Almighty God, reflecting an internal attitude of awe, adoration, and acknowledgment of God's supreme authority and holiness. Furthermore, the text emphasizes **Acknowledging Divine and Human Authority**, carefully distinguishing between worshipping "the LORD" and bowing down to "the king," thus highlighting the biblical principle of respecting God-ordained authority while maintaining exclusive worship for God. Finally, it conveys **Gratitude and Blessing**, as the command to "bless the LORD" is an invitation to praise and thank God for His goodness, provision, and faithfulness, acknowledging that all good things come from Him, as David himself prayed in [1 Chronicles 29:14](/1_chronicles/29-14 "1 Chronicles 29:14 - All Things Come from God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bless (Hebrew, _barak_):** The Hebrew verb בָּרַך (_barak_) means to bless, praise, or salute. When humans bless God, it is an act of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving, acknowledging His inherent goodness and sovereignty. It often implies an act of kneeling or prostration, reflecting humility and reverence. In this context, David commands the people to offer their verbal and physical praise to God, and they respond accordingly, recognizing His supreme worthiness.
* **Worshipped (Hebrew, _shachah_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁחָה (_shachah_) literally means to bow down, prostrate oneself, or do obeisance. It denotes a posture of deep respect, humility, and submission. When directed towards God, as it is here, it signifies adoration and worship, acknowledging His divine authority and holiness. The act of prostration was the most profound physical expression of reverence in the ancient Near East, reserved for deities or highly esteemed individuals, but in Israel, ultimately and exclusively for Yahweh in true worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God."**: This clause highlights David's role as a spiritual leader. Having just offered a magnificent prayer and witnessed the people's generous giving, David, as king and prophet, directs the entire assembly in a unified act of worship. The command "Now bless the LORD your God" is an invitation and instruction for corporate praise, emphasizing their covenant relationship ("your God"). It is a call to acknowledge God's goodness and sovereignty, particularly after such a momentous national undertaking.
* **"And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers,"**: This clause records the immediate and unified response of the people. They obey David's command, demonstrating their collective devotion. The phrase "God of their fathers" links their present worship to the historical covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reinforcing the continuity of God's faithfulness and their identity as His chosen people. Their blessing of the Lord is an act of adoration, thanksgiving, and recognition of His supreme authority over their lives and their nation.
* **"and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king."**: This final clause describes the physical manifestation of their reverence. "Bowed down their heads" signifies humility and respect, a common gesture of deference. The subsequent "worshipped the LORD" signifies their ultimate spiritual prostration and adoration directed solely to God. The inclusion "and the king" is crucial: it does not imply they worshipped David as a deity, but rather showed him deep respect and honor, acknowledging his divinely appointed authority and leadership. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, bowing or prostrating before a king was a customary sign of allegiance and homage, distinct from the spiritual worship reserved for God. This distinction underscores the unique nature of Israelite monotheism, where even the king, though honored, was ultimately under God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the dual use of "bless the LORD" (David's command and the congregation's response), emphasizing the act of praise and its communal nature. There is a clear **call and response** structure, where David's directive is immediately met with the congregation's action, highlighting their unity and obedience. The verse also uses **parallelism** in describing the objects of reverence: "worshipped the LORD, and the king." This juxtaposition, while potentially ambiguous to a modern reader, is a precise **distinction** in Hebrew thought, where "worship" (_shachah_) for God implies spiritual adoration and prostration, while for the king it signifies homage and respect. The physical actions of "bowing down their heads" and "worshipped" serve as powerful **symbolism**, representing the internal attitudes of humility, reverence, and submission to both divine and human authority. The verse itself acts as a **climax** to the narrative of giving and prayer, providing a fitting conclusion to David's public ministry and the people's unified commitment before the transition to Solomon's reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This singular verse encapsulates profound theological truths about corporate worship, divine sovereignty, and human response. It affirms that true worship is a collective endeavor, a unified outpouring of gratitude and adoration from God's people. The act of "blessing the LORD" is not merely a ritual but a heartfelt recognition of God as the source of all blessings and the ultimate recipient of all praise. The careful distinction between worshipping God and honoring the king underscores the absolute uniqueness of Yahweh in Israelite theology, reserving ultimate adoration for Him alone while still acknowledging and respecting the God-ordained structures of earthly authority. This moment of national spiritual revival, catalyzed by David's leadership, serves as a powerful reminder that genuine piety is often expressed communally, strengthening the bonds of faith within the covenant community.

* [Psalm 103:1](/psalms/103-1 "Psalm 103:1 - Bless the Lord, O My Soul")
* [Hebrews 10:25](/hebrews/10-25 "Hebrews 10:25 - Do Not Forsake the Assembly")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Chronicles 29:20 offers timeless lessons for believers today, emphasizing the enduring value of corporate worship and the proper posture of the human heart before God. Just as the ancient Israelites gathered to collectively bless and worship God, so too are believers called to assemble and offer unified praise. There is a unique power, encouragement, and manifestation of God's presence when His people come together in humility and gratitude. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we approach God with genuine reverence, acknowledging His supreme authority and holiness, or do we treat worship casually? Are we quick to offer thanks and praise for His countless mercies, even amidst life's challenges? Furthermore, it reminds us of the importance of respecting those whom God has placed in positions of leadership, both within the church and in society, while always maintaining that our ultimate worship and allegiance belong solely to God. Our collective and individual acts of blessing and bowing should flow from a deep understanding of who God is and what He has done.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the corporate nature of worship in this verse challenge or affirm my understanding of individual versus communal devotion?**
* **What does "blessing the LORD" practically look like in my daily life and in my church's gatherings?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and humility when I approach God in worship?**
* **How do I balance honoring human authority with reserving ultimate worship solely for God?**

### FAQ
**Why did the congregation "worship the LORD, and the king"? Does this mean they worshipped David as a god?**

Answer: No, the text does not imply that the congregation worshipped David as a god. The Hebrew word translated "worshipped" is _shachah_ (שָׁחָה), which means to bow down or prostrate oneself. While it is used for divine worship when directed toward God, it is also used to describe showing deep respect, homage, or obeisance to human superiors, such as kings or prophets. For example, people bowed before Abraham ([Genesis 23:7](/genesis/23-7 "Genesis 23:7 - Abraham Bows to the Hittites")) and Joseph ([Genesis 42:6](/genesis/42-6 "Genesis 42:6 - Joseph's Brothers Bow Before Him")). In the context of [1 Chronicles 29:20](/1_chronicles/29-20 "1 Chronicles 29:20 - The Congregation Blesses the Lord"), the clear distinction is maintained: they "blessed the LORD God of their fathers" and "worshipped the LORD" (in the sense of divine adoration), while they also showed deep respect and allegiance to "the king" David, recognizing his divinely appointed authority. This reflects the unique monotheistic worship of Israel, where ultimate adoration is reserved for Yahweh alone, but honor is given to those in leadership.

**What is the significance of the phrase "God of their fathers" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "God of their fathers" (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם) is profoundly significant as it emphasizes the covenantal continuity and historical identity of Israel. It explicitly links the present generation's act of worship and commitment to the foundational covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the "fathers"). This phrase reminds the people that the God they are worshipping is not a new deity, but the same faithful God who chose their ancestors, delivered them from Egypt, and established His covenant with them. It grounds their present spiritual experience in the rich history of God's redemptive acts and His enduring faithfulness to His promises. It reinforces their identity as a people uniquely chosen and blessed by this covenant-keeping God.

**How does this act of worship relate to the Temple building project?**

Answer: This act of worship is intrinsically linked to the Temple building project as it serves as the spiritual culmination and affirmation of the people's commitment to it. David's entire speech ([1 Chronicles 29:1-9](/1_chronicles/29-1 "1 Chronicles 29:1-9 - David's Exhortation and the People's Generosity")) and prayer ([1 Chronicles 29:10-19](/1_chronicles/29-10 "1 Chronicles 29:10-19 - David's Prayer of Thanksgiving")) were focused on the Temple. The people's extraordinary generosity was a tangible expression of their devotion. Therefore, their corporate blessing and worship of the Lord in [1 Chronicles 29:20](/1_chronicles/29-20 "1 Chronicles 29:20 - The Congregation Blesses the Lord") is the spiritual "amen" to their material offerings. It signifies that the Temple project was not merely an architectural feat, but a deeply spiritual endeavor, rooted in the nation's unified desire to honor and provide a dwelling place for their God. It underscores that the ultimate purpose of the Temple was to facilitate worship and communion with the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The collective worship and reverence displayed in 1 Chronicles 29:20, led by King David, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate worship of God through Jesus Christ. David, as the shepherd-king and leader of Israel's worship, points to Christ, the true and greater Son of David, who is not only our King but also our High Priest, gathering a new congregation—the Church—to worship God in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshippers")). The Temple, for which the people so generously gave and then worshipped, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself, who declared His body to be the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")), and in the Church, which is built upon Him as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The act of blessing the Lord and bowing down finds its perfect expression in the new covenant, where every knee will ultimately bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Through Christ, we now offer a sacrifice of praise to God continually, the fruit of lips that confess His name ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise Through Christ")), fulfilling the ancient call to bless the Lord.

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.

Cross-References

Exodus 4:31

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

1 Chronicles 16:36

Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

Genesis 24:48

And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

Proverbs 24:21

¶ My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change:

Psalms 148:13

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

Psalms 148:14

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; [even] of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 95:6

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.