Introduction
1 Chronicles 29:10–30: Today’s reading takes us to the end of 1 Chronicles. Yesterday we read about the great offering King David collected for building the Temple. David now praises God in front of the assembly. He says that everything we give back to God is already God’s gift, as all things belong to him. After sacrifices and feasting, the people proclaim Solomon as the new king to succeed David. The book ends by summarizing the glorious reigns of David and Solomon.
Today’s Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:11b GNT
[King David said:] “Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you are king, supreme ruler over all.”
Read
10 There in front of the whole assembly King David praised the LORD. He said, “LORD God of our ancestor Jacob, may you be praised forever and ever! 11 You are great and powerful, glorious, splendid, and majestic. Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you are king, supreme ruler over all. 12 All riches and wealth come from you; you rule everything by your strength and power; and you are able to make anyone great and strong. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name.
14 “Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already. 15 You know, O LORD, that we pass through life like exiles and strangers, as our ancestors did. Our days are like a passing shadow, and we cannot escape death. 16 O LORD, our God, we have brought together all this wealth to build a temple to honor your holy name, but it all came from you and all belongs to you. 17 I know that you test everyone’s heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you, and I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you. 18 LORD God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, keep such devotion forever strong in your people’s hearts and keep them always faithful to you. 19 Give my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey everything that you command and to build the Temple for which I have made these preparations.”
20 Then David commanded the people, “Praise the LORD your God!” And the whole assembly praised the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed low and gave honor to the LORD and also to the king.
21 The following day they killed animals as sacrifices, dedicating them to the LORD, and then gave them to the people to eat. In addition, they sacrificed a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, which they burned whole on the altar. They also brought the offerings of wine. 22 So that day they were very happy as they ate and drank in the presence of the LORD.
For a second time they proclaimed Solomon king. In the name of the LORD they anointed him as their ruler and Zadok as priest. 23 So Solomon succeeded his father David on the throne which the LORD had established. He was a successful king, and the whole nation of Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officials and soldiers, and even all of David’s other sons, promised to be loyal to Solomon as king. 25 The LORD made the whole nation stand in awe of Solomon, and he made him more glorious than any other king that had ruled Israel.
26 David son of Jesse ruled over all Israel 27 for forty years. He ruled in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for thirty-three. 28 He died at a ripe old age, wealthy and respected, and his son Solomon succeeded him as king. 29 The history of King David from beginning to end is recorded in the records of the three prophets, Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. 30 The records tell how he ruled, how powerful he was, and all the things that happened to him, to Israel, and to the surrounding kingdoms.
Reflect
Why does David say that the people cannot really give God anything (verse 14)? How does he describe the fleeting nature of human life (verse 15)? David prays that Solomon will obey God and build the Temple as planned (verse 19). Reread verses 23–25. How does Solomon fare as king, and how does God reward him? How might we apply David’s perspective on earthly wealth in our own life today?
Pray
Almighty God, all things belong to you. When we give to you, we only give back your own gifts. Let us remember the shortness of this life, that nothing in this world is ours to hold on to. Give us hearts of worship and praise, helping us to use rightly the things you have given us. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 89:1–18: The psalmist praises God’s faithfulness.
