1 Chronicles 22 14

1 Chronicles 22:14 kjv

Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

1 Chronicles 22:14 nkjv

Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

1 Chronicles 22:14 niv

"I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them.

1 Chronicles 22:14 esv

With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add.

1 Chronicles 22:14 nlt

"I have worked hard to provide materials for building the Temple of the LORD ? nearly 4,000 tons of gold, 40,000 tons of silver, and so much iron and bronze that it cannot be weighed. I have also gathered timber and stone for the walls, though you may need to add more.

1 Chronicles 22 verses

1 Chronicles 22 14 Meaning

David declared his extensive preparations for the building of the Lord's House, having amassed an incredibly vast amount of gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, and stone. Despite his personal afflictions or difficulties and God's directive that he not build the Temple himself, David meticulously prepared these immense resources, signifying his deep devotion and ensuring his son Solomon would have the means to construct the magnificent structure. The concluding phrase "thou mayest add thereto" implies a continuing responsibility for Solomon to further contribute to and complete the work.

1 Chronicles 22 14 Context

This verse is set in a pivotal moment of transition within the narrative of David's reign. David, despite his fervent desire to build a magnificent Temple for the Lord, was divinely prevented from doing so because he was a man of war (1 Chr 22:8). Instead, God ordained that his son, Solomon, a man of peace, would undertake this monumental task (1 Chr 22:9-10).

Chronicles, often called "the book of the Davidic dynasty" by scholars, places a strong emphasis on the legitimate monarchy, the priesthood, the Temple, and Israel's spiritual life. David's meticulous preparations for the Temple underscore his obedience, piety, and foresight, presenting him as the true initiator of the Temple project, even though he didn't construct it himself. This verse immediately precedes David's charge to Solomon and the leaders of Israel, exhorting them to complete the divine task, providing all necessary resources. The historical context reflects a period of national consolidation and relative peace after David's numerous military victories, allowing for the accumulation of vast wealth. The Chronicler highlights David's sacrificial giving as a model for the post-exilic community, reminding them of God's abundant provision and the importance of contributing generously to His work.

1 Chronicles 22 14 Word analysis

• Now, behold,: A common introductory phrase in biblical narrative, Hinnêh (הִנֵּה), serves to draw the reader's attention to an important declaration or revelation, emphasizing the weight and significance of what follows.
• in my trouble: The Hebrew word ʻōnyî (עֳנִי), from the root ʻānâ, implies affliction, humility, or distress. It could refer to the physical and emotional toll of David's numerous wars from which he amassed this wealth, or more spiritually, his humble state of affliction because he was not permitted to build the Temple himself, a deep desire of his heart. It emphasizes that this preparation was made despite or even out of a condition of humility and personal struggle, not simply out of ease.
• I have prepared: The Hebrew verb hēḵantî (הֵכַנְתִּי), from the root kūn (כּוּן), means "to establish," "to make firm," "to prepare," or "to arrange." This signifies meticulous planning, effort, and thorough readiness on David's part, demonstrating that these vast quantities were not randomly acquired but were intentionally gathered and set aside for the sacred purpose.
• for the house of the Lord: Refers directly to the future Temple in Jerusalem, God's dwelling place on Earth. This clarifies the ultimate purpose and holy intent behind David's monumental effort and expense.
• a hundred thousand talents of gold: An astounding amount. A talent (kikkār, כִּכַּר) was a very large unit of weight, generally estimated to be about 75-125 pounds (approx. 34-57 kg). Thus, 100,000 talents of gold would be approximately 7.5 million pounds (over 3,400 metric tons). This figure emphasizes the immense value and scale of David's preparation, perhaps using a hyperbolic numerical expression to convey immeasurable richness and the extreme lavishness intended for God's house.
• and a thousand thousand talents of silver: Even more staggering in weight than the gold. 1,000,000 talents of silver would approximate 75 million pounds (over 34,000 metric tons). This colossal sum underscores the unprecedented scale of the Temple project and David's unparalleled generosity and provision for it. It is difficult to conceptualize such wealth.
• and of brass and iron without weight: The Hebrew phrase lĕlōʼ mišqāl (לְלֹא מִשְׁקָל) literally means "without measure" or "unweighed." This indicates that the quantities of bronze (often translated "brass" in older versions) and iron were so enormous that they were literally immeasurable, defying calculation. It emphasizes a practically limitless supply of these essential building materials.
• for it is in abundance: kî lārōb (כִּי לָרֹב) directly translates to "because it is abundant" or "in great quantity." This reiterates the vastness of the prepared materials, justifying why they weren't weighed or precisely counted.
• timber also and stone have I prepared: These represent additional crucial raw materials needed for construction. David had gone to great lengths to gather even the structural components, implying vast resources in natural elements beyond precious metals.
• and thou mayest add thereto: David’s direct instruction and encouragement to Solomon, signifying that Solomon's responsibility was not merely to build but also to continue the generous provision and augment the already vast resources if necessary. This highlights shared responsibility and ongoing commitment to the work of God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared": This initial phrase establishes David's personal investment and emotional state (in my trouble) in the immense task he undertook. It underscores his dedication, as he didn't wait until all was well but actively prepared even in challenging circumstances.
• "for the house of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver": These astronomical figures underscore the profound reverence and lavish generosity David harbored for God's dwelling place. The numerical exaggeration, characteristic of ancient literature, emphasizes an unprecedented and awe-inspiring scale of wealth dedicated solely to divine glory, distinguishing this Temple from any other structure of the time.
• "and of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance": This further emphasizes the limitless nature of the materials. It suggests practicality alongside opulence; the heavy-duty metals for structural integrity were available in such profusion that weighing them became pointless. This communicates ultimate provision for every need of the construction.
• "timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto": The inclusion of basic construction materials (timber and stone) alongside precious metals indicates comprehensive foresight and preparation for every aspect of the Temple. The final command to Solomon, "thou mayest add thereto," highlights the ongoing nature of spiritual work and the communal responsibility involved, a passing of the torch and an invitation for further contribution.

1 Chronicles 22 14 Bonus section

• Economic Impact: The figures in 1 Chr 22:14 represent wealth so colossal that it is unparalleled in ancient history for a single national project. Scholars often discuss whether these numbers are to be taken literally or are hyperbolic to demonstrate the immense importance and unparalleled glory of the Temple David envisioned. Regardless, they underscore David’s extraordinary dedication and the nation's combined wealth, gathered and consecrated for the Lord.
• Type and Antitype: David's meticulous preparation for the earthly temple can be seen as a type for believers' preparation for the spiritual "house" (the Church) that Christ builds. We are called to contribute our spiritual gifts, resources, and lives as "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5) in His ongoing work, even if we do not see the full fruition of our efforts.
• Succession and Shared Vision: The passage demonstrates critical principles of leadership transition. David did not hoard his vision or resources; he clearly articulated his goal, meticulously prepared the means, and then delegated the completion to Solomon, providing both material resources and spiritual encouragement. This models a powerful succession plan centered on a unified divine vision.
• David's Priorities: This immense preparation for the Temple also serves to demonstrate that even for a king known for his wars and statecraft, God's dwelling place and His worship were the highest priority, consuming an unprecedented amount of national wealth and personal effort.

1 Chronicles 22 14 Commentary

1 Chronicles 22:14 profoundly illustrates King David's fervent devotion, meticulous planning, and unparalleled generosity for the Temple of the Lord. Despite being forbidden to build the physical structure due to his involvement in wars, David's response was not disappointment, but an extraordinary outpouring of sacrificial provision. "In my trouble" conveys David's humble and arduous efforts, signifying that this immense preparation stemmed from deep piety and determination, possibly accrued from the spoils of war but dedicated entirely to God. The astronomical figures of gold, silver, bronze, and iron transcend literal quantification; they are hyperbolic expressions emphasizing the immeasurable abundance and extraordinary splendor intended for God's sanctuary, reflecting His own magnificent glory. This act showcases David's heart for God's honor above all else, laying a foundation of spiritual and material commitment. His instruction to Solomon, "thou mayest add thereto," not only acknowledges Solomon's future role but also subtly teaches that divine projects require ongoing, incremental contributions, signifying shared responsibility across generations and continuous faithfulness in giving and serving the Lord.