1 Chronicles 29:29

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

Now the acts {H1697} of David {H1732} the king {H4428}, first {H7223} and last {H314}, behold, they are written {H3789} in the book {H1697} of Samuel {H8050} the seer {H7200}, and in the book {H1697} of Nathan {H5416} the prophet {H5030}, and in the book {H1697} of Gad {H1410} the seer {H2374},

The activities of David the king, from first to last, are written in the records of Sh'mu'el the seer, Natan the prophet and Gad the seer,

Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are indeed written in the Chronicles of Samuel the Seer, the Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet, and the Chronicles of Gad the Seer,

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer,

This verse concludes the account of King David's reign in the book of 1 Chronicles, serving as a vital bibliographic reference for the Chronicler's work. It assures the reader that the detailed narrative of David's life, from his anointing to his final days, is drawn from credible, divinely inspired sources.

Context

Positioned at the very end of David's life and reign, 1 Chronicles 29:29 acts as a concluding statement to the Chronicler's extensive recounting of David's achievements, his preparations for the Temple, and the succession of his son Solomon. The book of 1 Chronicles, written much later than the events it describes, often focuses on the Davidic lineage, the Temple, and the priesthood. By citing specific prophetic books as sources, the Chronicler reinforces the historical veracity and divine authority behind his narrative, much like a modern historian would cite their references. This meticulous detail underscores the importance of David's role in the establishment of Israel's worship and his legacy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Record-Keeping: The verse highlights God's method of preserving history through divinely appointed individuals. The "acts of David" were not merely human recollections but records sanctioned by prophetic authority.
  • Reliability of Scripture: By explicitly naming the sources, the Chronicler emphasizes the historical grounding and trustworthiness of the biblical account. It assures the reader that the narrative is not based on legend but on documented testimony.
  • The Role of Prophets and Seers: Samuel, Nathan, and Gad were not only conveyors of God's messages but also active participants and chroniclers of Israel's history. They served as spiritual guides and historical scribes for the kings.
  • David's Comprehensive Legacy: The phrase "first and last" indicates that the entirety of David's reign, from his early exploits as a shepherd-warrior to his final acts as king, was meticulously documented. This comprehensive record is essential for understanding the enduring nature of the Davidic covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The verse mentions "Samuel the seer," "Nathan the prophet," and "Gad the seer." In Hebrew, "seer" can be ro'eh (רֹאֶה) or chozeh (חֹזֶה), both referring to someone who "sees" visions or receives divine revelation, often functioning as a prophet. A "prophet" (navi, נָבִיא) is one who speaks forth God's message. While there are subtle distinctions, these terms often overlap in their function as spokespersons for God and recorders of His acts in history. Samuel was a pivotal figure who anointed David (see 1 Samuel 16:13), Nathan was David's trusted advisor and delivered key prophecies (see 2 Samuel 12:7), and Gad provided counsel to David in times of crisis (see 2 Samuel 24:11).

Practical Application

This verse offers a profound reassurance regarding the reliability of the biblical text. It reminds us that the history we read in the Bible is not merely human tradition but a divinely preserved record, meticulously documented by those who served God directly. For believers, this reinforces faith in the truthfulness of God's Word and His providential oversight of historical events. It also highlights the importance of keeping accurate records and passing down knowledge, a principle valued both in ancient Israel and in our modern world. The detailed accounts of David's life, as recorded by these inspired individuals, continue to teach us about leadership, repentance, and unwavering faith in God's promises.

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 Samuel 9:9

    (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

  • 2 Samuel 12:1

    ¶ And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7

    And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

  • 2 Samuel 7:2

    That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

  • 2 Samuel 7:4

    ¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,

  • 1 Chronicles 21:9

    And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,

  • 1 Chronicles 21:11

    So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee

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