1 Chronicles Chapter 28

Old Testament Historical 21 Verses

What is 1 Chronicles 28 about?

A priestly perspective on David's reign, his gathering of Temple materials, and preparations for Solomon's building project. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, unto Jerusalem.
2Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building.
3But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build a house for my name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.
4Howbeit Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel;
5And of all my sons (for Jehovah hath given me many sons), he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel.
6And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7And I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and mine ordinances, as at this day.
8Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you for ever.
9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10Take heed now; for Jehovah hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
11Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch [of the temple], and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat;
12and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Jehovah, and for all the chambers round about, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;
13also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Jehovah, and for all the vessels of service in the house of Jehovah;
14of gold by weight for the [vessels of] gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; [of silver] for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service;
15by weight also for the candlesticks of gold, and for the lamps thereof, of gold, by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof; and for the candlesticks of silver, [silver] by weight for [every] candlestick and for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick;
16and the gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver;
17and the flesh-hooks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl;
18and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, [even] the cherubim, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of Jehovah.
19All this, [said David], have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern.
20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed; for Jehovah God, even my God, is with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished.
21And, behold, there are the courses of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee in all manner of work every willing man that hath skill, for any manner of service: also the captains and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, etc.] Whose names are given in (<132716>1 Chronicles 27:16-22) and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course; monthly, each having 24,000 men under him, whose names are expressed, (<132702>1 Chronicles 27:2-15) and the captains over the thousands; of which there were twenty four in a course, at the head of each 1000, under the chief captain: and captains over the hundreds: centurions under the second captains: and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons; whose names may be…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“DAVID EXHORTS THE PEOPLE TO FEAR GOD. (Ch1 28:1-8) David assembled all the princes of Israel--that is, the representatives of the people, the leading men of the kingdom, who are enumerated in this verse according to their respective rank or degree of authority. princes of the tribes-- (Ch1 27:16-22). Those patriarchal chiefs are mentioned first as being the highest in rank--a sort of hereditary noblesse. the captains of the companies--the twelve generals mentioned (Ch1 27:1-15). the stewards, &c.-- (Ch1 27:25-31). the officers--Hebrew, "eunuchs," or attendants on the court (Sa1 8:15; Kg1 22:9; Kg2 22:18); and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Officer - literally, as in the margin. This is the only occasion in which eunuchs are mentioned in connection with David’s reign; and it is to be remarked that they occupy, during the earlier period of the Jewish kingdom, a very subordinate position. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“And David assembled, &c. - A great deal of business David had done in his day. And the nearer he comes to his end, the more busy he is, still endeavouring to do his work with all his might. He is now recovered from the weakness mentioned Kg1 1:1. He therefore improves his recovery, as giving him an opportunity of doing God and his country a little more service. 1 Chronicles 28:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“28:1–29:25 Here the account of Solomon’s coronation continues from 23:1-2. David is presented at the pinnacle of his strength as he transfers authority to Solomon (cp. 1 Kgs 1:1–2:9). 28:1 This assembly of all the officials of Israel includes all whose names were mentioned in the preceding chapters.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“assembled: Ch1 23:2; Jos 23:2, Jos 24:1 the princes: Ch1 27:16-22 the captains of the companies: Ch1 27:1-15, Ch1 27:25 the stewards: Ch1 27:25-31 substance: or, cattle and of his sons: or, and his sons, officers. or, eunuchs. Ch1 27:32-34 the mighty men: 1Chr. 11:10-47 1 Chronicles 28:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“David summoned the estates of the kingdom, and presented Solomon to them as his divinely chosen successor on the throne. Ch1 28:1 "All the princes of Israel" is the general designation, which is then specialized. In it are included the princes of the tribes who are enumerated in Ch1 27:16-22, and the princes of the divisions which served the king, who are enumerated in Ch1 27:1-15; the princes of thousands and hundreds are the chiefs and captains of the twelve army corps ( Ch1 27:1), who are subordinate to the princes of the host: the princes of all the substance and possessions of the king are the managers of…”
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