King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 28:2 Mean?

1 Chronicles 28:2 in the King James Version says “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 hear... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

1 Chronicles 28:2 · 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

4

Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's address to Israel's assembly: '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.' David calls them 'brethren and people,' combining covenant kinship with royal relationship. His desire to build 'a house of rest' (bayit m'nuchah) for the ark reflects longing to provide permanent dwelling for God's presence. The phrase 'footstool of our God' acknowledges God's transcendence - even the ark is merely His footstool, not His throne (which is in heaven). This combination of transcendence and immanence prepares for Christ, who is fully God yet dwells among us.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David's public assembly (c. 971 BCE) explained why he couldn't build the temple despite extensive preparations. His reference to preparations shows that even when God redirects our plans, preparation can serve His ultimate purposes through others.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'preparations' might God be having you make for work He intends others to complete?
  2. How does viewing God as simultaneously transcendent (in heaven) and immanent (dwelling with His people) shape your worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּ֨קָם1 of 23

stood up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דָּוִ֤יד2 of 23

Then David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙3 of 23

the king

H4428

a king

עַל4 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רַגְלֵ֣י5 of 23

upon his feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר6 of 23

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמָע֖וּנִי7 of 23

Hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אַחַ֣י8 of 23

me my brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְעַמִּ֑י9 of 23

and my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲנִ֣י10 of 23
H589

i

עִם11 of 23
H5973

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

לְבָבִ֡י12 of 23

As for me I had in mine heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לִבְנֽוֹת׃13 of 23

for the building

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בֵּ֨ית14 of 23

an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מְנוּחָ֜ה15 of 23

of rest

H4496

repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode

לַֽאֲר֣וֹן16 of 23

for the ark

H727

a box

בְּרִית17 of 23

of the covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

יְהוָ֗ה18 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלַֽהֲדֹם֙19 of 23

and for the footstool

H1916

a footstool

רַגְלֵ֣י20 of 23

upon his feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ21 of 23

of our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַֽהֲכִינ֖וֹתִי22 of 23

and had made ready

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לִבְנֽוֹת׃23 of 23

for the building

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)


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 28:2 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 28:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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