1 Chronicles 28 2

1 Chronicles 28:2 kjv

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

1 Chronicles 28:2 nkjv

Then King David rose to his feet and said, "Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.

1 Chronicles 28:2 niv

King David rose to his feet and said: "Listen to me, my fellow Israelites, my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it.

1 Chronicles 28:2 esv

Then King David rose to his feet and said: "Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building.

1 Chronicles 28:2 nlt

David rose to his feet and said: "My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a Temple where the Ark of the LORD's Covenant, God's footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it,

1 Chronicles 28 verses

1 Chronicles 28 2 Meaning

King David, addressing the assembly of Israel's leaders, explains his deep personal desire and previous diligent efforts to construct a permanent and honorable temple, a "house of rest," for the sacred Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, which represented God's presence, and for the Ark as the "footstool" symbolizing God's divine presence and authority. He signifies that this aspiration stemmed from his heart, showing profound devotion, and was followed by concrete preparations, even though God had later revealed that he himself would not be the one to build it.

1 Chronicles 28 2 Context

This verse is part of King David's pivotal address to all the officials, leaders, and mighty men of Israel gathered in Jerusalem (1 Chr 28:1). It serves as his final, public, and official testament and transfer of responsibility for the temple project to his son Solomon. Historically, David had a profound desire to build a permanent house for the Ark of the Covenant, as the Ark had long resided in a movable tent. This reflected his desire to establish a central, settled place for Israelite worship after decades of wandering and conquest. This speech sets the stage for the building of the First Temple, which was a significant shift from the portable Tabernacle, marking a new era of Israel's national and religious life, emphasizing Jerusalem as the center of their faith under God's chosen dynasty.

1 Chronicles 28 2 Word analysis

• Then King David rose to his feet: Signifies respect, gravity, and the commencement of an authoritative and significant declaration. It implies the importance of the moment and the words to follow.

• and said: "Hear me, my brethren and my people!": "Brethren" refers to the royal family and tribal heads, acknowledging his familial and leadership connections. "My people" addresses the broader community. This appeal solicits attention and demonstrates a desire for collective understanding and endorsement of the divine plan.

• I had it in my heart (לֵב - lev): "Heart" here denotes not merely a casual thought but a profound, innermost desire, conviction, and emotional investment. It speaks to the sincerity and depth of David's spiritual yearning to honor God.

• to build a house of rest (בֵּית מְנוּחָה - beit menu'chah): "House of rest" indicates a permanent, secure, and tranquil dwelling. This contrasts sharply with the nomadic tent (Tabernacle) that housed the Ark for centuries. It signifies stability for God's presence among His people after periods of wilderness wanderings and temporary placements. It subtly highlights the difference from temporary or pagan shrines by being a divinely purposed permanent place.

• for the ark of the covenant of the Lord (אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה - aron berit Yahweh): The Ark was the holiest object in Israel, representing God's active presence among His people, the Ten Commandments (the Covenant), and His throne. Providing a permanent home for it was paramount to solidifying the covenant relationship in the settled land.

• and for the footstool of our God (הֲדֹם רַגְלֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ - hadom raglay Eloheinu): This highly symbolic phrase refers either directly to the Ark itself (where God's presence was symbolically enthroned above the mercy seat) or to the ground/most holy place where the Ark would sit. In wider biblical imagery (Isa 66:1; Matt 5:35; Acts 7:49), the earth is God's footstool, indicating His universal sovereignty and majesty. Applying it here to the Ark's resting place emphasizes the sanctity of that place and God's enthroned presence among His people. It points to the temple's ultimate purpose as a place where the majestic God would make His immanent presence felt.

• and I had made preparations for building (הֲכִין - hekhin): This signifies that David's desire was not just an idle thought but led to concrete, practical steps. He actively gathered materials and organized resources, demonstrating diligence, obedience, and foresight even when the exact outcome was unclear. This sets the stage for the enormous abundance of materials he later provided for Solomon's construction (1 Chr 22:3-5; 1 Chr 29:2-5).

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "I had it in my heart...and I had made preparations for building": This juxtaposition powerfully links David's deep, internal spiritual commitment ("heart") with tangible, outward actions ("preparations"). It exemplifies how sincere devotion to God's will should manifest in practical diligence and stewardship, even if God's ultimate plan differs from initial intentions.
  • "a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God": These phrases collectively emphasize the supreme holiness and divine significance of the structure David envisioned. It was not merely a building, but a divinely ordained sanctuary for God's tangible presence, symbolizing His covenant faithfulness and sovereign rule over Israel.

1 Chronicles 28 2 Bonus section

David's rising to his feet to address the assembly underscored his role not just as a king but as a prophet and priest-like figure, guiding his people in worship and the understanding of God's will. The term "house of rest" for God carries a theological weight that transcends a mere physical building; it implies the fulfillment of God's promise to "rest" His presence among His people in a land of rest after centuries of nomadic existence, connecting to themes from the conquest of Canaan and establishment of Israel. Though David did not build the temple, his planning and resourcing were indispensable, revealing that obedience and preparation are vital components of serving God's long-term purposes, even if one does not see the ultimate completion of a specific task.

1 Chronicles 28 2 Commentary

1 Chronicles 28:2 reveals the fervent and practical devotion of King David to the Lord. His desire to build a permanent sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant, expressed as "a house of rest" and for "the footstool of our God," highlights his profound respect for God's presence and a desire for stability in Israel's worship life. While God chose not to let David build the Temple due to his martial life (a detail shared with the assembly later in this chapter, v. 3), David's heart was fully aligned with God's ultimate purpose. His "preparations for building" were not in vain; they underscore his active obedience and demonstrate the principle that while human plans may be subject to divine redirection, God honors sincere effort made in His service. This verse beautifully prefaces the transfer of the divine blueprint and the colossal responsibility of temple construction to Solomon, illustrating God's sovereign hand in unfolding His will through different individuals. David's role was to prepare the ground and lay the foundation of resources and divine command, allowing Solomon to erect the physical structure.