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1 Chronicles 29:18

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O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Abraham {H85}, Isaac {H3327}, and of Israel {H3478}, our fathers {H1}, keep {H8104} this for ever {H5769} in the imagination {H3336} of the thoughts {H4284} of the heart {H3824} of thy people {H5971}, and prepare {H3559} their heart {H3824} unto thee:

ADONAI, God of Avraham, Yitz'chak and Isra'el our ancestors, guard forever the inclinations of the thoughts in the hearts of your people; direct their hearts to you;

O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.

O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee;

Commentary

Context of 1 Chronicles 29:18

This verse is part of King David's profound prayer of praise and intercession, recorded in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19. It comes at a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as preparations are being made for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. David, nearing the end of his reign, has just witnessed the overwhelming generosity of the people and their leaders in contributing materials for the Temple. His prayer reflects his deep gratitude to God for their willing hearts and his fervent desire for their continued faithfulness. This prayer highlights David's spiritual legacy and his focus on the spiritual well-being of his nation beyond his own lifetime.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Preservation of Faith: David recognizes that the people's current devotion and generosity are gifts from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). He prays that God would "keep this for ever" – ensuring that their good intentions and spiritual zeal endure through generations, rather than being a fleeting moment.
  • Heart Preparation: The plea "prepare their heart unto thee" underscores the biblical understanding that true devotion is not merely an outward act but a work of God within the inner person. David prays for God to continually incline the people's hearts towards Him, fostering a lasting and genuine relationship. This echoes the sentiment found in passages like Philippians 2:13, where God works in believers to will and to do His good pleasure.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: By addressing God as "O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers," David appeals to God's enduring covenant with His chosen people. He reminds God, and implicitly himself and the nation, of the foundational promises made to the patriarchs, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan and His faithfulness across generations. This invocation connects the present moment of temple building to the grand narrative of God's covenant promises to Abraham.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "imagination of the thoughts of the heart" (KJV) is a rich expression. The Hebrew word translated "imagination" is yetzer (יֵצֶר), which refers to inclination, formation, or intent – the deepest impulses and purposes of the mind and will. "Thoughts of the heart" (מַחְשְׁבוֹת לְבָבָם - machashavot levavam) refers to the plans, designs, and inner workings of one's being. Thus, David is praying that the very core of their being, their deepest intentions and motivations, would remain steadfastly devoted to God and His purposes for the Temple.

The word "prepare" (כּוּן - kun) in "prepare their heart unto thee" signifies to establish, make firm, or direct. It implies a divine act of making the heart ready and steadfast, preventing it from wavering or straying.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 29:18 offers a timeless lesson for believers today. It teaches us to:

  1. Pray for Enduring Faith: Just as David prayed for Israel, we should pray for ourselves and for others that our faith and devotion to God would not be temporary but would endure through all seasons of life. We need God to preserve our inner commitment.
  2. Recognize Divine Initiative: Our ability to serve God and have a prepared heart ultimately comes from Him. While we are called to seek Him, David's prayer reminds us to ask God to work in our hearts, shaping our desires and intentions according to His will.
  3. Live with a Prepared Heart: The desire for a heart prepared unto God is a call to intentional living. It means cultivating a responsiveness to God's leading, allowing Him to direct our thoughts, plans, and actions.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Jeremiah 32:39 (5 votes)

    And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

  • Jeremiah 10:23 (4 votes)

    O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  • Psalms 51:10 (3 votes)

    Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

  • Psalms 119:113 (3 votes)

    ¶ SAMECH. I hate [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love.

  • Psalms 10:17 (3 votes)

    LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (3 votes)

    ¶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:17 (3 votes)

    Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.