1 Chronicles

Retells some stories from Samuel and Kings, focusing on King David and the importance of worship.

Chapter 29

1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

*King David told everyone, "Solomon, my son, who God has picked, is still young. The job is big, and it's not for people, but for God's house."

2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

*Now I have worked hard to gather gold, silver, brass, iron, and wood for God's house, along with many different colored precious stones and marbles.

3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

*Furthermore, since I love God's house, I have donated extra gold and silver from my own possessions to the house of God, in addition to everything I have already prepared for it.

4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

*Even 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of pure silver to cover the walls of the houses with it.

5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

*Gold for gold items, silver for silver items, and for all kinds of crafts made by skilled workers. Who here wants to dedicate their service to God today?

6 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,

*Then the leaders of the Israeli families, along with the heads of the tribes, and the commanders of one thousand and one hundred people, together with those in charge of the king's work, happily gave what they could.

7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

*He donated 5,000 talents of gold, 10,000 drams of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of brass, and 100,000 talents of iron for use in God's house.

8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

*Those who discovered valuable gems gave them to the LORD's treasury, through Jehiel the Gershonite.

9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

*Then, the people were very happy because they freely gave what they wanted to give to God. King David was also extremely happy about this.

10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

*So, David praised God in front of everyone and said, "May you always be blessed, Lord God of Israel, our eternal father."

11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

*The greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty belong to You, Lord, because everything in heaven and on Earth belongs to You. You have the kingdom, Lord, and You are honored as the top of all things.

12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

*All wealth, honor, and power come from you, and you rule everything. You have the ability to make things great and give strength to everyone.

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

*Now, so we thank you God, and praise your wonderful name.

14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

*But who am I and what are my people that we can give so willingly like this? Because everything comes from you, and we've given you from what is yours.

15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

*We are like visitors to you, just like our ancestors; our lives on Earth are short like a shadow, and nothing lasts forever.

16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.

*Dear Lord, everything we've gathered to build a home for your holy name comes from your hand and belongs to you.

17 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.

*I know, God, that you test our hearts and enjoy honesty. I honestly offered everything, and now I joyfully see your people offering willingly to you.

18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

*Dear Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, please always remember this in our hearts and minds. Help us to love you more and more each day.

19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

*Give Solomon, my son, a completely good heart to follow your rules, and to do everything you want, including building the palace that I've prepared for.

20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

*David told everyone, "Now praise God, your true God." Everyone praised God, the same God their ancestors knew, and they bowed their heads in respect while also worshiping God and the king.

21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

*So, they gave offerings to God the next day. They offered a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with drinks for the offering, and many more offerings for everyone in Israel.

22 And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

*On that day, they enjoyed a feast in the presence of God with much happiness. Then, they made Solomon, David's son, king for a second time and officially appointed him as the top leader, while Zadok became the priest.

23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

*Then Solomon became king and sat in place of his father, David. He was successful, and everyone in Israel listened to him.

24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

*All the rulers, strong men, and David's sons also bowed to Solomon as their king.

25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

*The Lord made Solomon very great in the eyes of everyone in Israel, giving him a powerful royal presence unlike any other king before him in the country.

26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

*So, David, son of Jesse, became king over all Israel.

27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

*He ruled over Israel for 40 years. He was king of Hebron for 7 years and king of Jerusalem for 30 more years, making it a total of 33 years.

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

*He lived a long, wealthy, respected life and then passed away. His son Solomon took over the throne after him.

29 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,

*Now, David the king's actions, from beginning to end, can be found in the books of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, who were all seers or prophets.

30 With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

*Throughout his entire rule, power, and the passing years, affecting Israel and all other country's kingdoms.

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