1 Chronicles 29:1

1 And David the king said to all the people, Solomon my son, the only one who has been marked out by God, is still young and untested, and the work is great, for this great house is not for man, but for the Lord God.

1 Chronicles 29:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:1

Furthermore, David the king said unto all the congregation,
&c.] Having finished what he had to say to Solomon, he addressed the congregation again:

Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen;
both to be king, and to build the temple

is yet young and tender;
see ( 1 Chronicles 22:5 )

and the work is great;
both of governing so great a people, and of building so magnificent a temple, especially the latter is meant:

for the palace is not for man;
for any mortal king, though ever so great:

but for the Lord God;
the Targum is,

``but for the Word of the Lord God,''

who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords; and therefore is to be built as with the greatest exactness, according to the pattern he himself has given, so with the greatest splendour and magnificence.

1 Chronicles 29:1 In-Context

1 And David the king said to all the people, Solomon my son, the only one who has been marked out by God, is still young and untested, and the work is great, for this great house is not for man, but for the Lord God.

2 Now as far as I am able, I have made ready what is needed for the house of my God; the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the silver things, and the brass for the brass things, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; beryls and jewels to be framed, and stones of different colours for ornament; all sorts of stones of great price, and polished building-stone, as much as is needed and more.

3 And because this house of God is dear to me, I give my private store of gold and silver to the house of my God, in addition to all I have got ready for the holy house;

4 Even three thousand talents of gold of Ophir and seven thousand talents of the best silver, for plating the walls of the house:

5 Gold for the gold things, and silver for the silver things, and for every sort of work to be done by the expert workmen. Who then will come forward, offering himself this day for the Lord's work?