1 Chronicles 29:6

Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,

Then the chief {H8269} of the fathers {H1} and princes {H8269} of the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478}, and the captains {H8269} of thousands {H505} and of hundreds {H3967}, with the rulers {H8269} of the king's {H4428} work {H4399}, offered willingly {H5068},

Then the clan leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Isra'el, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, along with the supervisors over the king's work offered willingly.

Then the leaders of the households, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.

Then the princes of the fathers’houses, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king’s work, offered willingly;

Commentary

Context of 1 Chronicles 29:6

This verse is part of King David's final public acts concerning the preparation for the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Having gathered immense resources and personally made a lavish contribution (as seen in 1 Chronicles 29:3-5), David then challenged the leaders and people of Israel to join in this monumental undertaking. Verse 6 records the immediate and enthusiastic response from the nation's most prominent figures, demonstrating their unity and commitment to God's work.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Willing and Generous Giving: The central theme is the readiness of the leaders to contribute. The phrase "offered willingly" emphasizes a heart attitude of spontaneous generosity, not compulsion. This sets a powerful example for all future giving.
  • Leadership by Example: Just as David, the king, led by example in his own significant contribution, the leaders of Israel followed suit. Their willingness inspired the general populace, fostering a collective spirit of devotion.
  • Unity in Purpose: The verse lists various levels of leadership—"chief of the fathers," "princes of the tribes," "captains of thousands and of hundreds," and "rulers of the king's work." This diverse group united for a common, sacred goal, showcasing harmony and collective commitment to God's house.
  • Divine Inspiration: The overwhelming response suggests a move of God's Spirit, prompting hearts to give abundantly for His glory, reflecting a deep spiritual connection to the project.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "offered willingly" is a form of the root nadav (נדב), which signifies a spontaneous, free-will offering, a voluntary contribution given out of a generous heart. It implies a joyful and uncoerced act of giving, distinct from mandatory tithes or sacrifices. This same concept is seen in other contexts of freewill offerings in the Old Testament, such as in Exodus 35:29 regarding the construction of the Tabernacle.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 29:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of a Willing Heart: God values the attitude behind our giving and service more than the amount itself. Our contributions, whether financial, time, or talent, should stem from a willing and joyful heart, as 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that "God loveth a cheerful giver."
  • Leadership's Role in Inspiration: Those in positions of influence, whether in church, family, or community, have a profound impact through their personal example. Their generosity and dedication can inspire others to participate in God's work.
  • Collective Endeavor: Great things for God are often accomplished when diverse individuals and groups unite their efforts for a common spiritual purpose. The building of God's kingdom requires the willing participation of all.
  • Reflecting Our Devotion: Our willingness to give generously for spiritual purposes reflects our love for God and our priorities. It demonstrates that we value His work and His presence among us.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 2 Corinthians 9:7

    Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

  • Isaiah 60:3

    And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

  • Isaiah 60:10

    And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:25

    And over the king's treasures [was] Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, [was] Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:

  • 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.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:1

    ¶ Now the children of Israel after their number, [to wit], the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course [were] twenty and four thousand.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:15

    The twelfth [captain] for the twelfth month [was] Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course [were] twenty and four thousand.
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