King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 28:1 Mean?

1 Chronicles 28:1 in the King James Version says “And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministe... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. possession: or, cattle and of: or, and his sons officers: or, eunuchs

1 Chronicles 28:1 · KJV


Context

1

And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. possession: or, cattle and of: or, and his sons officers: or, eunuchs

2

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

3

But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. blood: Heb. bloods


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on David's final charge and temple plans. The Hebrew term לֵבָב (levav) - heart/mind is theologically significant here, pointing to Wholehearted devotion to God's purposes. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about Wholehearted devotion to God's purposes. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Christ's commands to disciples.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of David's final charge and temple plans occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on Wholehearted devotion to God's purposes challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Christ's commands to disciples teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיַּקְהֵ֣ל1 of 31

assembled

H6950

to convoke

דָּוִ֣יד2 of 31

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת3 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל4 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וְשָׂרֵ֣י5 of 31

all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל6 of 31

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְשָׂרֵ֣י7 of 31

all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַשְּׁבָטִ֣ים8 of 31

of the tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

וְשָׂרֵ֣י9 of 31

all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמַּחְלְק֣וֹת10 of 31

by course

H4256

a section (of levites, people or soldiers)

הַמְשָֽׁרְתִ֪ים11 of 31

that ministered

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

אֶת12 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לַמֶּ֨לֶךְ13 of 31

of the king

H4428

a king

וְשָׂרֵ֣י14 of 31

all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָֽאֲלָפִ֣ים15 of 31

over the thousands

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְשָׂרֵ֣י16 of 31

all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֵּא֡וֹת17 of 31

over the hundreds

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְשָׂרֵ֣י18 of 31

all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

כָל19 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רְכוּשׁ20 of 31

over all the substance

H7399

property (as gathered)

וּמִקְנֶה֩׀21 of 31

and possession

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

לַמֶּ֨לֶךְ22 of 31

of the king

H4428

a king

וּלְבָנָ֜יו23 of 31

and of his sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עִם24 of 31
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַסָּֽרִיסִ֧ים25 of 31

with the officers

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

גִּבּ֥וֹר26 of 31

and with the mighty men

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

וּֽלְכָל27 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גִּבּ֥וֹר28 of 31

and with the mighty men

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

חָ֖יִל29 of 31

and with all the valiant men

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אֶל30 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃31 of 31

unto Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 28:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 28:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study