1 Chronicles 29 28

1 Chronicles 29:28 kjv

And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

1 Chronicles 29:28 nkjv

So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.

1 Chronicles 29:28 niv

He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.

1 Chronicles 29:28 esv

Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.

1 Chronicles 29:28 nlt

He died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. Then his son Solomon ruled in his place.

1 Chronicles 29 verses

1 Chronicles 29 28 Meaning

First Chronicles 29:28 encapsulates the blessed end of King David's life. It states that David died in a "good old age," having lived a "full" and "satiated" number of days, abounding in both "riches" and "honor." Immediately following this, the verse notes the peaceful and divinely ordained succession of his son, Solomon, to the throne. This portrayal presents David's death not as a tragic event but as a consummation of a divinely favored life, marked by prosperity, esteem, and the establishment of a lasting legacy through his son's reign.

1 Chronicles 29 28 Context

This verse serves as the culmination of David's reign as presented in the book of Chronicles, especially the concluding chapters of 1 Chronicles. It appears immediately after a grand assembly where David offers a magnificent prayer of thanksgiving for God's blessings and the generosity of the people towards the building of the Temple. The assembly responds by offering sacrifices and making Solomon king a second time, signifying the formal and public transfer of royal authority. David's life and reign, in the Chronicler's perspective, represent an era of immense blessing, preparation for the Temple, and divine favor upon the unified Israel. The Chronicler emphasizes the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and God's faithfulness to David, portraying his end as peaceful and fulfilled, consistent with the blessings bestowed upon God's chosen servant. Historically, David had united the tribes, conquered Jerusalem, brought the ark of the covenant there, and secured the borders, establishing a stable kingdom for Solomon. The verse implicitly asserts the divine approval of David's life and Solomon's succession against any potential claims or threats.

1 Chronicles 29 28 Word analysis

• וַיָּמָת (vayyāmot - and he died): This Hebrew verb signifies "to die," appearing in the imperfect consecutive, linking it sequentially to preceding events. The Chronicler's specific interest here is not merely that David died, but the manner of his death—peaceful and complete—underscoring a fulfilled life, unlike many ancient rulers who faced violent ends or political upheaval. It sets the stage for a divinely ordered succession, a contrast to the struggle seen in other narratives.
• בְּשֵׂיבָה (besêvâh - in old age): The preposition 'be-' (in) indicates the state or condition. Sêybah refers to the grey hair, old age, or advanced years. This phrase implies reaching a ripe old age, often seen as a divine blessing in the Ancient Near East. It distinguishes David's passing from those cut short prematurely due to sin or judgment, thus signifying God's continued favor.
• טוֹבָה (ṭôvâh - good): Meaning "good, pleasant, prosperous." Applied to "old age," it denotes not just the quantity of years, but the quality of that age. It suggests a life free from prolonged suffering or infirmity, and possibly also characterized by a good standing before God and men at its conclusion. It resonates with a common biblical blessing for longevity and well-being.
• שְׂבַע (śevaʿ - full, satiety of): From the root śāvaʿ (to be satisfied, filled, sated). This term implies having had enough, experienced everything desired or allotted.
• יָמִים (yāmîm - days): Referring to "days" or "years of life." "Full of days" is an idiom for having lived one's complete lifespan, lacking nothing from the divine appointment. It contrasts with dying "before one's time" (Ecc 7:17), affirming divine sovereignty over the length of one's life. This expression is similarly used for patriarchs like Abraham and Isaac (Gen 25:8; 35:29), placing David in a lineage of highly favored individuals.
• עֹשֶׁר (ʿǒšer - riches): Signifies wealth, material abundance. This explicitly refers to the immense personal and national wealth David amassed, much of which he dedicated for the Temple (1 Chr 29:3). The Chronicler emphasizes that this was not merely acquired through human means but was a direct blessing from God (1 Chr 29:12), highlighting God as the ultimate source of prosperity for those who serve Him.
• וְכָבוֹד (vekāvôd - and honor): Kavod means glory, honor, splendor, reputation, weightiness. David was renowned as a king, a military leader, a worshipper, and a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22). This honor came both from his people and, crucially, from God. This speaks to the esteem he held and his established legacy, consistent with divine promises of honoring those who honor Him (1 Sam 2:30).
• וַיִּמְלֹךְ (vayyimlok - and reigned): The verb for "to reign," imperfect consecutive, highlighting the direct succession.
• שְׁלֹמֹה בְנוֹ (Šelōmōh beno - Solomon his son): The precise identification of the successor as David's biological son underscores the legitimacy and divinely ordained continuity of the Davidic dynasty, which is central to the Chronicler's theological purpose.
• תַּחְתָּיו (taḥtāv - in his place): Literally "under him" or "in his stead." This phrase formally establishes the smooth and divinely sanctioned transition of power, a vital element for the stability of the kingdom and a testament to God's faithfulness to David's house, even in times of potential internal strife.

1 Chronicles 29 28 Bonus section

The Chronicler's portrayal of David's death as the pinnacle of a blessed life is notably distinct from the accounts in the books of Samuel and Kings. While Samuel and Kings meticulously detail David's sins, personal failures, and the resultant family strife and national struggles, Chronicles largely glosses over these blemishes, choosing instead to focus on David's spiritual devotion, his preparations for the Temple, and his administrative successes. This interpretive choice reflects the Chronicler's specific theological agenda: to affirm the legitimate continuity of the Davidic line, highlight the importance of proper worship centered on the Temple, and provide a model of a righteous king for the post-exilic community. David, in Chronicles, is presented primarily as the archetypal ideal king, the "man after God's own heart" whose life epitomized God's blessings on covenant faithfulness. The mention of "riches and honor" also resonates with wisdom literature, where such blessings are often tied to wisdom and the fear of the Lord, solidifying David's character as a man divinely endowed in every facet. This emphasis on blessing and continuity offers a message of hope and divine steadfastness to a people recently returned from exile, assuring them that God's promises regarding the Davidic covenant and the spiritual heritage of Israel remain steadfast.

1 Chronicles 29 28 Commentary

First Chronicles 29:28 offers a summary statement of King David's earthly culmination, presenting an idealized and deeply theological portrait of a life well-lived in God's favor. His death is portrayed not as a lamentable end, but as a peaceful conclusion to a completed journey, "in a good old age, full of days," echoing the blessed deaths of the patriarchs. This phrase denotes reaching one's divinely appointed full lifespan, experiencing a life marked by fullness and satisfaction rather than premature death or prolonged suffering. The mention of "riches and honor" underscores the material and reputational blessings God bestowed upon David, recognizing these not as ends in themselves but as divine gifts that signify God's approval and enabled David to contribute generously to God's purposes (namely, the Temple preparations). Crucially, the verse immediately pivots to Solomon's succession, affirming the unbroken, divinely sanctioned lineage of the Davidic throne. The Chronicler emphasizes this orderly transition as vital for the kingdom's continuity and theological significance, especially regarding the establishment of the Temple and the future Messiah, the greater Son of David. This verse encapsulates the Deuteronomic theology that links obedience and faithfulness to blessings of long life, prosperity, and a respected legacy, serving as a beacon of what a divinely blessed human life, lived in covenant with God, can attain. It inspires believers to seek a life of faithfulness to God, trusting Him for their times, sustenance, and honorable reputation, all ultimately directed towards His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.For practical usage, this verse can inspire:

• Holistic well-being: A reminder that God cares for both our spiritual and temporal prosperity.
• Living a fulfilled life: Encouragement to live purposefully so that at the end of our days, we might feel "full" or satisfied with what God has enabled us to do.
• Honorable legacy: Emphasizing the importance of leaving behind a spiritual and righteous inheritance for future generations.