1 Chronicles 29

They Get Ready to Build

1-5 Then David the king addressed the congregation: "My son Solomon was singled out and chosen by God to do this. But he's young and untested and the work is huge—this is not just a place for people to meet each other, but a house for God to meet us. I've done my best to get everything together for building this house for my God, all the materials necessary: gold, silver, bronze, iron, lumber, precious and varicolored stones, and building stones—vast stockpiles. Furthermore, because my heart is in this, in addition to and beyond what I have gathered, I'm turning over my personal fortune of gold and silver for making this place of worship for my God: 3,000 talents (about 113 tons) of gold—all from Ophir, the best—and 7,000 talents (214 tons) of silver for covering the walls of the buildings, and for the gold and silver work by craftsmen and artisans.
"And now, how about you? Who among you is ready and willing to join in the giving?"

6-8  Ready and willing, the heads of families, leaders of the tribes of Israel, commanders and captains in the army, stewards of the king's affairs, stepped forward and gave willingly. They gave 5,000 talents (188 tons) and 10,000 darics (185 pounds) of gold, 10,000 talents of silver (377 tons), 18,000 talents of bronze (679 tons), and 100,000 talents (3,775 tons) of iron. Anyone who had precious jewels put them in the treasury for the building of The Temple of God in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9  And the people were full of a sense of celebration—all that giving! And all given willingly, freely! King David was exuberant.

10-13  David blessed God in full view of the entire congregation: Blessed are you, God of Israel, our father from of old and forever. To you, O God, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth; the kingdom all yours! You've raised yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from you, you're ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name.

14-19  "But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand. As far as you're concerned, we're homeless, shiftless wanderers like our ancestors, our lives mere shadows, hardly anything to us. God, our God, all these materials—these piles of stuff for building a house of worship for you, honoring your Holy Name—it all came from you! It was all yours in the first place! I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface—you want us, our true selves—and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily. And now see all these people doing the same, giving freely, willingly—what a joy! O God, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this generous spirit alive forever in these people always, keep their hearts set firmly in you. And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided."

20  David then addressed the congregation: "Bless God, your God!" And they did it, blessed God, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped reverently in the presence of God and the king.

21-22  The very next day they butchered the sacrificial animals and offered in the worship of Israel to God a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand sheep, and in addition drink offerings and many other sacrifices. They feasted all day, eating and drinking before God, exuberant with joy.

23-25  Then they ceremonially reenacted Solomon's coronation, anointing David's son before God as their leader, and Zadok as priest. Solomon sat on the throne of God as king in place of David his father. And everything went well; all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders of the people, including all the sons of King David, accepted Solomon as their king and promised their loyalty. Solomon rode high on a crest of popular acclaim—it was all God's doing. God gave him position and honor beyond any king in Israel before him.

26-30  David son of Jesse ruled over all Israel. He was king for forty years. He ruled from Hebron seven years and from Jerusalem thirty-three. He died at a ripe old age, full of days, wealth, and glory. His son Solomon ruled after him. The history of David the king, from start to finish, is written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer, including a full account of his rule, his exploits, and the times through which he and Israel and the surrounding kingdoms passed.

1 Chronicles 29

The People Contribute to the Project

1 King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man,t and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.2 So I have made every effortt to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood,t as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster.3 Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple.4 This includes 3,000 talentst of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings,

5 for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the Lord today?”
6 The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly.7 They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talentst and ten thousand daricsts of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron.8 All who possessed precioust stones donated them to the treasury of the Lord’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9 The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude;t King David was also very happy.t

David Praises the Lord

10 David praised the Lord before the entire assembly:t
“O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore!11 O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereignt over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the rulert of all.12 You are the source of wealth and honor;t you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.t

13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!
14 “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much?t Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.t15 For we are resident foreigners and nomads in your presence, like all our ancestors;t our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security.t16 O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you.17 I know, my God, that you examine thoughtst and are pleased with integrity. With pure motivest I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.18 O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, maintain the motives of your people and keep them devoted to you.t

19 Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”t

20 David told the entire assembly: “Praise the Lord your God!” So the entire assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors; they bowed down and stretched out flat on the ground before the Lord and the king.

David Designates Solomon King

21 The next day they made sacrifices and offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord (1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs), along with their accompanying drink offerings and many other sacrifices for all Israel.

22 They held a feastt before the Lord that day and celebrated.t
Then they designated Solomon, David’s son, as king a second time;s before the Lord they anointed him as ruler and Zadok as priest.23 Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king in place of his father David; he was successful and all Israel was loyal to him.t24 All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.t

25 The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.t

David’s Reign Comes to an End

26 David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.27 He reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years and in Jerusalems thirty-three years.28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor.t His son Solomon succeeded him.29 King David’s accomplishments, from start to finish, are recorded in the Annals of Samuel the prophet, the Annals of Nathan the prophet, and the Annals of Gad the prophet.t

30 Recorded there are all the facts about his reign and accomplishments, and an account of the events that involved him, Israel, and all the neighboring kingdoms.t