King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 28:2 Mean?

“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:”

Context

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

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:

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

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:

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **Then David the king stood up upon his feet.**—To address the assembly, the king naturally rose from his throne. **Hear me.**—Calling attention, as in Genesis 23:11-15. **My brethren, and my people.**—Comp. 1Samuel 30:23; 2Samuel 19:12. The words do not so much imply condescension as an acknowledgment of what every one of David’s hearers felt to be true—viz., that all Israel were kin, and David the head of the family. **As for me, I had in mine heart to build.**—See 1Chronicles 22:7-8 and the Notes there. 1Chronicles 28:2-7 of this chapter are in substance, and partly in expression, identical with 1Chronicles 22:7-10 (David’s private charge to Solomon). **An house of rest**—*i.e.,* a permanent abode instead of a sacred tent, which gave the idea of wandering from place to place, like the nomads of the desert. (Comp. Psalm 132:8.) **The footstool of our God.**—The so-called mercy-seat, the golden *kappôreth* suspended over the Ark, on which were the cherubim—the throne of Deity (Psalm 99:1). **And had made ready.**—Rather, *and I made ready,* by amassing stores of material (1Chronicles 22:2-4; 1Chronicles 22:14-16).

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.