Overview of 1 Chronicles 28:1–29:30

David’s final actions in the Chronicler’s account of his reign were to assemble a large number of leaders from across the country and charge both the leaders as “my brothers” and Solomon as “my son,” his successor, to follow God’s commands and to build the temple (1 Chron. 28:1–10). He delivered to Solomon the God-given plans of the temple (building, vessels, and personnel), reinforcing the charge to build and affirming the support that he would receive from the many leaders (28:11–21). Solomon was unable to resource and build the temple alone, so David had provided generously and had called the assembly to follow. They too were generous in response (29:1–9). The culmination is David’s praising God, the basis for a petition for the commitment of people and Solomon to continue (29:10–19). The concluding response by the people involves both worship of God and loyal affirmation of Solomon, confirmed by the Lord’s blessing (29:20–25). The summary of David’s reign and its influence brings the account of David to an end (29:26–30).

The two chapters follow a pattern similar to chapter 22, repeating motifs in a public setting; the repetition emphasizes these themes for hearers. They include the charge that both Solomon and the people should keep the Lord’s commands (28:7, 8), but most of the details concern the building of the temple. Interwoven as one whole under God are people, temple, and king. David is not able to build the temple but, under God’s orders, commits the task to Solomon, together with the people. Israelite kingship is an expression of God’s reign (28:5; 29:23); the temple is God’s “palace, citadel” (cf. comment on 29:1–5), with the ark as the “footstool” of his throne (28:2); and both kingship and temple require wholehearted support and provision from the people, culminating in worship by all.

These chapters are a stirring end to the account of David in which David charges both Solomon and people, with the people responding with joyful generosity, and in which king and people center their attention on the temple, and hence the Lord whose temple it is. Reinforcing the Chronicler’s focus for his hearers on joyful worship of God, the final instance of David as the subject of any action is his praise of God: his last words are addressed to “all the assembly,” calling them to “Bless the Lord your God” (29:20). It could be said that this is Chronicles in a nutshell.