1 Chronicles 29:17 kjv
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
1 Chronicles 29:17 nkjv
I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.
1 Chronicles 29:17 niv
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
1 Chronicles 29:17 esv
I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.
1 Chronicles 29:17 nlt
I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.
1 Chronicles 29 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 7:9 | Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end... For You, the righteous God, test the hearts and minds. | God examines inner motives. |
| Prov 17:3 | The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. | God purifies and reveals genuineness. |
| Jer 17:10 | "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." | God's absolute knowledge of the inner person. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and powerful... piercing even to the division of soul and spirit... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. | God's word reveals the heart's intentions. |
| Rev 2:23 | "...and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works." | Christ searches the heart for judgment. |
| Ps 11:7 | For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright. | God delights in integrity. |
| Prov 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. | Sincerity makes offerings pleasing. |
| Ps 51:6 | Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. | God values inner truth over outward show. |
| Amos 5:24 | But let justice roll down like waters, And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. | God's desire for genuine righteousness. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? | Inner character and action are key. |
| Ex 25:2 | "Tell the children of Israel that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering." | Freely offered gifts for God's dwelling. |
| Ex 35:21 | Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing... | People brought offerings with willing hearts. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. | Heart's disposition in giving. |
| 2 Cor 8:12 | For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. | Willingness, not amount, is paramount. |
| Deut 15:10 | "You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you..." | Give without reluctance. |
| Rom 12:8 | He who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. | Give generously. |
| Matt 6:2 | "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men." | Giving for praise negates reward. |
| Matt 6:4 | "...that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." | God sees and rewards secret uprightness. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "...for the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." | God evaluates the heart's true condition. |
| Phil 4:18 | ...I have received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. | God is pleased by genuine, Christ-centered gifts. |
| 1 Chron 29:14 | "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." | Acknowledging God's ultimate ownership. |
| Acts 2:46 | So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. | Joyful, sincere communal life. |
1 Chronicles 29 verses
1 Chronicles 29 17 Meaning
First Chronicles 29:17 reveals King David's profound understanding of God's character: He discerns the true motives of the human heart and finds delight in integrity. David declares that his own abundant offerings for the temple came from a sincere and upright heart, and he joyfully observes the same genuine, willing spirit in the offerings made by God's people present with him. This verse emphasizes the supreme importance of inner purity and willing generosity in true worship and service to God.
1 Chronicles 29 17 Context
First Chronicles chapter 29 forms the culmination of David's preparations for the temple, followed by his final address to the people and his prayer. The chapter details the immense contributions made by David, the leaders, and the people for the temple construction. David's prayer, beginning in verse 10 and continuing through verse 19, is a profound theological reflection, praising God for His sovereignty, provision, and enabling the people's generous giving. Verse 17 specifically appears within this prayer, where David articulates his deep understanding of God's internal nature and how it relates to human worship and giving. It serves as David's assurance to God of the genuine intent behind his and the people's lavish donations, emphasizing that the immense material gifts were not merely external acts but flowed from a willing and upright heart, honoring God who sees beyond mere appearance.
Historically, this event marks a significant point in Israel's history—the preparations for the central place of worship, fulfilling God's promise of a perpetual dynasty through David. Culturally, it underscores the importance of communal giving for sacred purposes, an expectation rooted in the Law and the tabernacle offerings. David's emphasis on "testing the heart" and "uprightness" subtly serves as a polemic against contemporary pagan beliefs, which often focused on external rituals, lavish but insincere sacrifices, or manipulative acts to appease deities. David affirms that Israel's God, YHWH, is distinct, valuing internal truth, sincerity, and ethical uprightness above mere ritualistic conformity.
1 Chronicles 29 17 Word analysis
- I know also, my God: David expresses a personal, intimate knowledge ("my God") and confident assertion ("I know also") derived from experience and divine revelation, acknowledging God's attributes.
- that You test the heart (Hebrew: bachan - בָּחַן): To examine, scrutinize, assay, prove. This testing is not for God to gain knowledge, as He is omniscient, but to reveal, confirm, and purify the sincerity or genuineness of the human heart, much like refining metal. It points to God's deep insight into motivations.
- and have pleasure (Hebrew: chephets - חֵפֶץ): Signifies delight, desire, or favor. God's will and enjoyment are aligned with certain human attributes.
- in uprightness (Hebrew: yosher - יֹשֶׁר): Implies straightness, rectitude, integrity, honesty, and moral blamelessness. It encompasses truthfulness in character and action, not just outward appearance. God's delight is in authentic virtue.
- As for me, in the uprightness of my heart: David directly applies the truth about God to himself. His offering stems from an inner condition of integrity and sincerity, rather than external compulsion or desire for praise. The focus is entirely on the state of his heart.
- I have willingly offered (Hebrew: nadav - נָדָב): To offer freely, spontaneously, from one's own initiative and impulse. It contrasts with forced or grudging giving. This willingness signifies the purity of the heart.
- all these things: Refers to the massive collection of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious stones mentioned in the preceding verses. David underscores the vastness of the gifts, yet places more emphasis on the spirit behind them.
- and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, offering willingly to You: David observes and rejoices in the similar genuine spirit in his people. The "joy" indicates David's delight in God's working in the hearts of others, prompting them to match his own spirit of willing generosity. Their presence ("present here") highlights their collective participation. "Offering willingly to You" confirms the congruent internal state among all contributors, acknowledging God as the sole recipient and worthy object of such heartfelt devotion.
1 Chronicles 29 17 Bonus section
The profound emphasis on the "heart" throughout Scripture, particularly in relation to worship and offerings, finds a significant Old Testament articulation in 1 Chronicles 29:17. This theme develops from earlier Mosaic laws concerning voluntary offerings and finds its full expression in New Testament doctrines. God's persistent focus on the inner person reveals a theological understanding that true worship emanates from an internal transformation and devotion, rather than mere external conformity or ritualistic performance. This counteracts any potential misunderstanding that God requires things from us for His own benefit; instead, He desires relationship, and gifts are a spontaneous overflow of that relationship from a renewed heart. The corporate joy David experienced ("I have seen Your people... offering willingly to You") indicates that genuine spiritual enthusiasm and generosity are infectious and God-glorifying when rooted in shared devotion and purity of heart.
1 Chronicles 29 17 Commentary
First Chronicles 29:17 presents a pivotal theological statement from David's prayer, anchoring the lavish offerings not in human merit or material wealth, but in the sincerity of the heart. David, under divine inspiration, knew that God's perspective differed fundamentally from human judgment. God does not merely look at the grandiosity of a gift but "tests the heart" (בָּחַן) – discerning the hidden motives and true character. This concept reinforces God's omniscience and moral discernment, confirming that He seeks genuine righteousness (יֹשֶׁר) from His worshipers. His "pleasure" (חֵפֶץ) is found not in external show, but in internal integrity.
David's declaration, "in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered," becomes a personal testimony and a benchmark for true worship. It means his contribution, no matter how immense, was a sincere act of devotion, free from ulterior motives, and a reflection of his inner truth. The subsequent joy he expresses upon seeing "Your people... offering willingly" highlights the unifying power of true worship rooted in shared heart integrity. This isn't just about charity; it's about recognition of God's sovereignty and His worthiness to receive offerings given out of genuine love and willing spirit. This verse foreshadows New Testament teachings where inward disposition and attitude are prioritized over outward observances (e.g., Jesus' teaching on hypocrisy, Paul's teaching on cheerful giving).
- Practical Examples:
- A humble, joyful offering given by a widow from her little, highly esteemed by Christ, demonstrates the principle of a willing heart.
- Volunteering for a service in the church or community, not for recognition but solely out of love for God and neighbor, embodies "uprightness of heart."
- A financial contribution, whether small or large, that is given cheerfully and freely, reflects God's pleasure.