King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 29:18 Mean?

1 Chronicles 29:18 in the King James Version says “O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the h... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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: prepare: or, stablish

1 Chronicles 29:18 · KJV


Context

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.

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. present: Heb. found

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: prepare: or, stablish

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's prayer: '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.' The invocation of patriarchal names grounds the prayer in covenant history. The request to 'keep... in the imagination of thoughts' (yetzer machshevot levav) asks God to preserve right inclinations in people's hearts. David recognizes that external preparations (temple materials) mean nothing without internal preparation ('prepare their heart unto thee'). This teaches that only God can prepare hearts for true worship, anticipating the new covenant promise of transformed hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Praying immediately after the people's generous response (29:9), David wisely recognized that present enthusiasm needed divine preservation. Human hearts naturally drift from God, requiring continual divine work to maintain devotion.

Reflection Questions

  1. What in your thought-life and heart inclinations needs God's preserving and preparing work?
  2. How can you cooperate with God's work to 'prepare your heart' for worship and service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
יְהוָ֗ה1 of 16

O LORD

H3068

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

אֱ֠לֹהֵי2 of 16

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

אַבְרָהָ֞ם3 of 16

of Abraham

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

יִצְחָ֤ק4 of 16

Isaac

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙5 of 16

and of Israel

H3478

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

אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ6 of 16

our fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

שֳׁמְרָה7 of 16

keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

זֹּ֣את8 of 16
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לְעוֹלָ֔ם9 of 16

this for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

לְיֵ֥צֶר10 of 16

in the imagination

H3336

a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)

מַחְשְׁב֖וֹת11 of 16

of the thoughts

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

לְבָבָ֖ם12 of 16

of the heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

עַמֶּ֑ךָ13 of 16

of thy people

H5971

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

וְהָכֵ֥ן14 of 16

and prepare

H3559

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

לְבָבָ֖ם15 of 16

of the heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃16 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 29:18 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 29:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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