1 Chronicles 29 6

1 Chronicles 29:6 kjv

Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,

1 Chronicles 29:6 nkjv

Then the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly.

1 Chronicles 29:6 niv

Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly.

1 Chronicles 29:6 esv

Then the leaders of fathers' houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king's work.

1 Chronicles 29:6 nlt

Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army, and the king's administrative officers all gave willingly.

1 Chronicles 29 verses

1 Chronicles 29 6 Meaning

1 Chronicles 29:6 describes the immediate, abundant, and voluntary response of the various leaders of Israel following King David's powerful address and challenge concerning the provision of materials for the building of the Lord's Temple. It signifies their willingness to give generously and joyfully towards God's work, mirroring David's own spirit of dedication and exemplary giving.

1 Chronicles 29 6 Context

1 Chronicles 29:6 is positioned at the climactic moment of David's final public act of leadership, rallying the nation for the building of God's temple. Preceding this verse, David publicly dedicates a vast amount of his own personal wealth and exhorts the people to join him in this momentous task (1 Chr 29:1-5). He asks, "Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?" This verse records the immediate, collective, and positive response of Israel's leadership to David's call, showcasing a spirit of unity and devotion. The broader historical context is the twilight of David's reign and the preparation for Solomon's ascension to the throne, ensuring the future establishment of the temple as the central place of worship and the embodiment of God's presence among His people.

1 Chronicles 29 6 Word analysis

• Then: Indicates an immediate consequence or progression of events, specifically following David's personal dedication and exhortation in 1 Chron 29:1-5. It marks a swift and unified response.

• the leaders of the fathers: Refers to the heads of the tribal clans or ancestral families within Israel. This represents the established social and genealogical structure, indicating broad participation from the foundational levels of society.

• and the leaders of the tribes of Israel: Points to the chief officials or princes overseeing the distinct twelve tribes. This encompasses the broader administrative and regional authorities. Together with "leaders of the fathers," this signifies comprehensive support from the civilian governance structure.

• and the commanders of thousands and of hundreds: Designates military officials responsible for units of men. This highlights the inclusion of the nation's armed forces and their leadership in this spiritual and national undertaking. It signifies that even those in positions of war were aligned with acts of worship and construction.

• with the stewards of the king’s work: Refers to those in charge of the royal administration, overseeing various aspects of the king's household and projects. This group includes trusted, skilled managers, implying their commitment was essential for the practical implementation of the temple building project. Their involvement signifies full governmental backing.

• offered willingly: From the Hebrew verb nadav (נדב). This is the pivotal phrase. Nadav signifies to offer spontaneously, freely, voluntarily, to be liberal. It emphasizes a donation or service given without compulsion, stemming from an inner desire and devotion. This stands in stark contrast to coerced labor or begrudged giving, highlighting the pure motives behind the contributions.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "the leaders of the fathers and the leaders of the tribes of Israel": This pairing emphasizes the two main strata of civilian leadership: the traditional family heads and the tribal heads. Their unified action demonstrates national solidarity from the grassroots to the broader regional administration, echoing ancient patriarchal structures (Hebrew rashei ha-avot and rashei ha-shivtei).
  • "and the commanders of thousands and of hundreds": Represents the military hierarchy. Their participation underscores that this national effort transcended civil and military distinctions; it was a united, nation-wide sacred endeavor. This structure ensured effective mobilization of resources and people.
  • "with the stewards of the king’s work": These are royal administrators, crucial for managing state affairs. Their involvement ensures the logistical and organizational support needed for such a massive project, showcasing an integrated effort of the civil, military, and royal administration. Their cooperation exemplifies a coordinated national commitment to the divine project, setting it apart from any projects that might rely on forced labor (as seen with other nations or even later in Israel's history under oppressive kings).
  • "offered willingly": This phrase underscores the spirit and heart condition of the giving. It implies not just giving, but how it was given – with gladness and freedom. This aligns with biblical principles of joyful giving, contrasting it with ritualistic or begrudging donations. The emphasis on "willingly" sets a moral precedent, establishing genuine devotion as paramount.

1 Chronicles 29 6 Bonus section

The act of "offering willingly" (nadav) here highlights a core principle in Old Testament worship: God desires voluntary offerings as expressions of a devoted heart, rather than obligatory duties or compelled gifts. This same principle of willing-hearted giving (Exod 35:29) was essential for the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, forging a precedent that finds its culmination in this passage about the Temple. The quantity of the donations that immediately followed (1 Chr 29:7-8) was immense, far exceeding expectations, directly because the leaders' hearts were fully committed, leading by example. This sets a significant example for leadership in any spiritual endeavor: true impact flows from a sincere, willing spirit rather than mere positional authority. The term nadav (willingly) is rooted in concepts of generosity and freedom, directly countering any pagan concept of propitiation through forced sacrifice; instead, God delights in cheerful, unforced generosity from His people.

1 Chronicles 29 6 Commentary

This verse powerfully depicts the overwhelming and united response of Israel's entire leadership—civil, military, and royal administration—to David's call for temple contributions. It signifies their complete embrace of the vision, demonstrated through their personal example of spontaneous, heartfelt generosity. The emphasis on "willingly" is key; it reflects a spiritual principle where true devotion comes not from coercion, but from an eager heart. This willingness was critical for God's approval of the project, echoing themes from the tabernacle's construction where voluntary offerings were sought. This collective, willing outpouring of resources set a foundational spiritual precedent for giving in God's kingdom.

• Example for practical usage: A modern church announcing a building project or mission initiative might follow David's example of leadership (personal commitment first, then a call to the people) and hope for a similar response of leaders (elders, deacons, committee heads, staff) willingly contributing their time, talent, and resources, thereby inspiring the broader congregation to participate with the same joyful, willing spirit.