1 Chronicles 29 29

1 Chronicles 29:29 kjv

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

1 Chronicles 29:29 nkjv

Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

1 Chronicles 29:29 niv

As for the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer,

1 Chronicles 29:29 esv

Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer, and in the Chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the Chronicles of Gad the seer,

1 Chronicles 29:29 nlt

All the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer.

1 Chronicles 29 verses

1 Chronicles 29 29 Meaning

1 Chronicles 29:29 concisely states that the comprehensive historical account of King David's reign, encompassing both its beginnings and end, was meticulously recorded in the official chronicles attributed to three prominent figures of divine revelation: Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer. This verse authenticates the Chronicler's narrative by asserting its origin in divinely inspired, historically attested prophetic records.

1 Chronicles 29 29 Context

1 Chronicles 29:29 concludes King David's extensive narrative within the Book of Chronicles. The entire chapter depicts David's final public acts: his preparation for the Temple's construction, his collection of offerings, his encouragement to the people to contribute, his public praise of God, and his transfer of authority to Solomon. This verse acts as a conclusive statement about the historical sources underpinning the detailed account just provided.

Historically, the Book of Chronicles was likely compiled post-exile (5th-4th century BC), long after David's time. Its purpose was to encourage the returned exiles by reminding them of God's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant and the central importance of the Temple worship. Unlike Samuel and Kings, Chronicles focuses more on David's spiritual legacy, his role in preparing the Temple, and the faithfulness of the Levitical order, often omitting or abbreviating details that cast him in a negative light. By explicitly referencing prophetic records (Samuel, Nathan, Gad), the Chronicler asserts the divine authority and reliability of his historical narrative, reassuring the post-exilic community that their heritage was founded on divinely preserved truth, not mere human memory. This also contrasts with surrounding cultures where historical records might be more for royal propaganda; Israel's history was framed as God's story.

1 Chronicles 29 29 Word analysis

• Now (וְדִבְרֵי, ve'divrei - actually "And the matters of"): This conjunction connects the conclusion of David's story with the source material for that story. It acts as a smooth transition from the summary of David's life to its documentary evidence.
• the acts / matters (דִּבְרֵי, divrei): More accurately "the matters" or "the affairs of." It denotes the entire scope of a person's life and reign—their deeds, events, narratives, and administration. It encompasses comprehensive history.
• of King David (דָּוִיד הַמֶּלֶךְ, David hammelek): Explicitly identifies the subject. David is foundational to the Chronicler's theology due to the divine covenant (2 Sam 7) that established his dynasty and its perpetual connection to God's chosen place of worship (the Temple).
• first and last (הָרִאשֹׁנִים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִים, ha'rishonim ve'ha'acharonim): A common Hebrew idiom signifying completeness, "from beginning to end." It assures the reader that the entire scope of David's reign, without omission, is recorded in these mentioned sources, reinforcing the thoroughness and authority of the historical account.
• behold, they are written (הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים, hinnam ketuvim): The term "behold" (הִנָּם, hinnam) draws attention to the existing, concrete nature of these records. The passive "are written" implies that these accounts were established fact, readily available and authoritative, lending weight to the Chronicler's compilation. It asserts the historicity and documentary evidence behind the Chronicler's account.
• in the chronicles (בְּדִבְרֵי הַיָּמִים, bə-ḏiḇrê ha-yāmîm): Literally "in the matters of the days," or "annals." This term refers to official, comprehensive historical records or royal archives. It signifies formal and continuous documentation, distinct from spontaneous notes, emphasizing the weight and authority of the source. This is not referring to the canonical books of Samuel in the Old Testament as we have them, but rather specific court annals or prophetic documents known to the Chronicler.
• of Samuel the seer (שְׁמוּאֵל הָרֹאֶה, Shmu'el ha'ro'eh): Samuel, a pivotal prophet and judge (1 Sam 9:9), instrumental in the transition from judges to kings and in anointing both Saul and David. His role as a seer (רֹאֶה, ro'eh) signifies someone who receives direct vision or insight from God. Mentioning Samuel anchors David's narrative to the foundational moments of Israel's monarchy under divine guidance.
• and in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet (וּבְדִבְרֵי נָתָן הַנָּבִיא, u'vdivrei Natan ha'navi): Nathan (נָתָן הַנָּבִיא, Natan ha'navi) was a trusted royal prophet during David's reign (2 Sam 7, 12). His title navi (נָבִיא), "prophet," denotes one who speaks God's word directly to the people or king. Nathan’s inclusion signifies the record of critical covenant details and divine corrections concerning David.
• and in the chronicles of Gad the seer (וּבְדִבְרֵי גָּד הָחֹזֶה, u'vdivrei Gad ha'chozeh): Gad (גָּד הָחֹזֶה, Gad ha'chozeh), another trusted prophet for David, providing divine guidance and judgment (1 Sam 22:5, 2 Sam 24). The term chozeh (חֹזֶה), also translated "seer," is synonymous with ro'eh, highlighting his direct visionary communication with God. Gad's inclusion confirms the ongoing prophetic supervision over David's reign.

1 Chronicles 29 29 Bonus section

The Chronicler frequently refers to other sources for historical information, particularly "books" or "chronicles" of prophets (e.g., 2 Chr 9:29; 12:15; 20:34). This consistent pattern in Chronicles points to a theological rather than merely historical aim: to assert that Israel's true history, especially concerning its kingship and worship, was divinely overseen and recorded by prophetic inspiration. The emphasis on prophetic figures (Samuel as anointing agent, Nathan as covenant enforcer, Gad as divine messenger of judgment) serves to interpret David's reign not just as political power but as an era under intense divine scrutiny and guidance. This sets the history of Israel apart from that of other nations, showcasing God's direct intervention through His word to His prophets.

1 Chronicles 29 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:29 serves as a crucial meta-textual statement, providing insight into the Chronicler's methodology and theological conviction. It is not merely an ancient citation; it is a claim of authority. By explicitly listing three key prophetic figures—Samuel, Nathan, and Gad—as the custodians of David's official historical record, the Chronicler does several things:

Firstly, he establishes the divine authority of his own work. He is not compiling a humanly devised account but drawing from sources already infused with God's Spirit through His chosen spokesmen. This validates the sacredness and trustworthiness of David's story as presented in Chronicles.

Secondly, it underlines the prophetic interpretation of history. For the Chronicler, Israel's history is not just a sequence of events, but a narrative where God is actively involved, revealed through the insights and messages of His prophets. Samuel marked the shift in leadership, Nathan articulated the eternal Davidic covenant, and Gad offered direct divine counsel and correction. Their involvement means David's life, especially his relationship with God and his preparations for the Temple, is presented from a theological perspective, emphasizing divine sovereignty and covenant faithfulness.

Thirdly, it signifies the comprehensiveness and reliability of the account. The phrase "first and last" emphasizes that the entire breadth of David's life and reign was captured by these authoritative figures, ensuring no significant aspect was missed from God's intended historical record. The "chronicles" here likely refer to royal annals or prophetic court records, perhaps even the sources underlying portions of Samuel-Kings, reinforcing the idea that sacred history was meticulously preserved by divinely appointed individuals.

For a post-exilic audience struggling with identity and re-establishing their relationship with God, this verse offered reassurance. It affirmed that their history, deeply tied to David and the Temple, was not a chaotic human story but a divinely orchestrated and meticulously recorded unfolding of God's plan. It validated their heritage and reinforced the enduring truth of God's covenant with David and His people, as faithfully transmitted through His prophets.