1 Chronicles 28 21

1 Chronicles 28:21 kjv

And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

1 Chronicles 28:21 nkjv

Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command."

1 Chronicles 28:21 niv

The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command."

1 Chronicles 28:21 esv

And behold the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command."

1 Chronicles 28:21 nlt

The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command."

1 Chronicles 28 verses

1 Chronicles 28 21 Meaning

This verse serves as David's firm assurance to his son Solomon, as he transfers the responsibility of building the Temple, that the necessary divine provision and human cooperation will be readily available. It specifically promises that the pre-established organizational courses of priests and Levites, along with every willing and competent individual, and all the nation's leaders and people, will fully submit to Solomon's direction for the sacred work of God's house.

1 Chronicles 28 21 Context

1 Chronicles 28 presents David's definitive address to Israel's leaders, formally transferring the kingship to Solomon and commissioning him to build the Temple. David reveals that the task of building God's dwelling was divinely appointed to Solomon, even providing Solomon with the precise blueprints given by the Spirit of the LORD. Verse 21 is David's solemn reassurance, a crucial component of his encouragement, guaranteeing Solomon that every necessary human resource – the organized priestly and Levitical ranks for spiritual and logistical management, and all willing, skilled workers, along with the support of leaders and the entire populace – would be at his disposal. This ensures that the massive sacred project would not fail due to a lack of manpower or cooperation. The broader historical context emphasizes the centrality of the Temple in Israelite life and worship, highlighting David's divinely inspired organizational efforts and the nation's collective commitment to fulfilling God's architectural will.

1 Chronicles 28 21 Word analysis

• And behold,: (וְהִנֵּה - vəhinneh) - An emphatic interjection drawing attention, signifying the absolute certainty and importance of the declaration that follows, reinforcing David's unwavering conviction.
• the divisions: (מַחְלְקוֹת - maḥlĕqōt) - Refers to the well-structured and organized courses or groups of priests and Levites, meticulously arranged by David himself (1 Chr 23-26) to ensure order and continuity in Temple service. This speaks to divinely inspired organization.
• of the priests: (הַכֹּהֲנִים - hakohănîm) - The Aaronic descendants dedicated to sacred duties: offering sacrifices, performing rituals, and providing spiritual guidance in the sanctuary. Their designated presence ensures proper religious protocol for the Temple.
• and the Levites: (וְהַלְוִיִּם - vəhalləwiyyim) - Members of the tribe of Levi, assigned extensive duties encompassing Temple administration, music, security, and various support roles, crucial for the practical operation of the house of God.
• for all the service: (לְכֹל עֲבֹדַת - lĕḵōl ‘ăḇōḏat) - Denotes comprehensive engagement, meaning every aspect of duty and ministry associated with the Temple, including both its construction and ongoing ritual operations.
• of the house of God: (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים - bêt hā'ělōhîm) - The central place of worship and divine dwelling for Israel, signifying the sacred and ultimate purpose of the entire undertaking.
• will be with you: (יִהְיוּ עִמָּךְ - yihyû ‘immāḵ) - A direct, personal guarantee to Solomon of immediate availability, presence, and unwavering support from these key personnel.
• in all the work: (בְּכֹל מְלָאכָה - bĕḵōl məlā’ḵāh) - Reemphasizes the all-encompassing nature of their involvement, extending from spiritual oversight to the practical labor of construction and maintenance.
• with every willing: (וּבְכֹל נָדִיב - ûḇĕḵōl nāḏîḇ) - Pertains to an individual characterized by generosity, nobility, and especially voluntary offering from the heart, indicating uncoerced enthusiasm for God's work.
• skillful man: (וּמֵבִין - ûmêḇîn) - Describes one possessing discernment, understanding, or specific technical competence; an expert or skilled craftsman. This indicates that God provides not just hands, but capable and equipped individuals.
• for any manner of service: (לְכֹל סִיעָה וּבְכֹל עֲבֹדָה - lĕḵōl sî‘āh ûḇĕḵōl ‘ăḇōḏāh) - A comprehensive expression encompassing every kind of aid, assistance, or specific task needed, covering the full spectrum of required support.
• also the leaders: (וְהַשָּׂרִים - vəhassārîm) - Refers to all civil and military chiefs, tribal heads, and officials of Israel, whose support was vital for marshaling resources and ensuring widespread national cooperation.
• and all the people: (וְכָל הָעָם - vəḵāl hā‘ām) - Signifies the entire populace of Israel, underscoring universal buy-in and communal commitment to the project beyond the appointed hierarchy and specialists.
• will be wholly at your command: (יִהְיוּ לְכֹל דְּבָרֶיךָ - yihyû lĕḵōl děḇārêḵā) - Literally "they will be for all your words." This denotes complete, unconditional submission and obedience to Solomon's directives and plans, particularly as they reflect God's will for the Temple.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And behold, the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God will be with you in all the work": This segment confirms that God’s plan includes a well-organized spiritual and administrative infrastructure. The established priestly and Levitical orders, meticulously organized by David, are guaranteed to be available to Solomon, offering both ritual leadership and logistical support for every aspect of the Temple’s construction and operation.
• "with every willing skillful man for any manner of service": This highlights the twin prerequisites for effective participation in God's work: an inner motivation of willingness and generosity, coupled with external, practical skill and expertise. It implies divine provision of competent and devoted individuals to fulfill specific needs in this massive undertaking.
• "also the leaders and all the people will be wholly at your command": This powerfully communicates the assurance of unified national support. It signifies that from the highest echelons of government and society down to the common individual, there would be unwavering obedience and cooperation with Solomon’s leadership concerning the Temple. This ensures full societal alignment with God’s grand building project.

1 Chronicles 28 21 Bonus section

The careful distinction between "priests and Levites," "willing skillful men," and "leaders and all the people" illustrates David's foresight and God's design for a multifaceted project requiring different types of contribution. The "divisions" of priests and Levites were crucial because they represented an established, perpetual structure for worship and ministry, not merely a temporary labor force. This ongoing order, pre-arranged by David, meant that once built, the Temple would be serviced and managed according to a divinely inspired blueprint for generations to come. This verse therefore ensures both the construction and the ongoing operation of the Temple. Furthermore, the strong declaration of all being "wholly at your command" implies that any resistance or lack of cooperation would be not just defiance of Solomon, but of God's revealed will for the Temple project, underscoring the solemnity of the national commitment required.

1 Chronicles 28 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 28:21 serves as a foundational declaration of divine enablement and collective human partnership for the colossal task of building God's Temple. David's assurance to Solomon encompasses every facet of necessary support: a pre-established, organized spiritual hierarchy in the priests and Levites, gifted individuals possessing both willing hearts and technical skills, and comprehensive national submission from leaders and populace alike. This isn't merely a promise of available manpower but a divine guarantee of a unified, competent, and compliant workforce, reflecting God's ultimate commitment to the success of His dwelling place through the coordinated efforts of His people under chosen leadership. The meticulous details signify that God's great works are characterized by divine order, willing participation, skilled labor, and obedient cooperation, ensuring His presence fills the completed endeavor.

• Example: When a community undertakes a significant project for God, such as establishing a Christian school or an outreach center, this verse inspires confidence that God will orchestrate the provision of dedicated volunteers (the "divisions"), professional expertise (the "skillful man"), and general community support, as people align with the vision.
• Example: For any individual called to a task in ministry, this principle applies: God provides the necessary collaborators—whether spiritual mentors, skilled administrators, or fellow laborers—all made willing and capable by His grace.