1 Chronicles — Chapter 29

And David the king said to all the assembly: Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender, and the work is great; for a house is prepared not for man, but for God. Lapide: The greatness of the Temple's work surpasses all human capacity because it is prepared for God Himself, not for any man. This should inspire both reverence in the builders and confidence that God will provide what human resources cannot.

And whosoever is willing, let him fill his hand today, and offer what he pleaseth to the Lord. Lapide: \"Fill his hand\" (impleat manum suam) = fill it with gold and gifts he wishes to offer freely to God for the Temple. Voluntary generosity for God's house is the highest form of liberality.

And the people rejoiced, when they promised their offerings willingly: because they offered them to the Lord with all their heart. Lapide: The test of true liberality is the willing heart — \"corde toto offerebant.\" David also \"rejoiced with great joy\" — the joy of seeing others give generously to God surpasses the joy of one's own giving.

Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power, and glory, and victory: and to Thee is praise: for all things that are in heaven and in earth are Thine: Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art above all princes. Lapide: This hymn of David at the offering is one of the greatest acts of adoration in Scripture — acknowledging that all belongs to God and that human giving is only returning what was received.

For all things are Thine: and we have given Thee what we received of Thy hand. Lapide: The doctrine of absolute dependence on God — all that we possess, including the very power to give, we have received from God. True humility in generosity acknowledges this: \"of Thine own have we given Thee\" (I Chron. 29:14, Vulgate).

For we are strangers before Thee, and pilgrims, as all our fathers were. Our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no stay. Lapide: The condition of every human before God — pilgrims and strangers (peregrini et advenae), as all the patriarchs were. Life is as a shadow passing over the earth with no delay. This profound verse grounds all earthly activity in eschatological awareness.

I know, my God, that Thou provest hearts, and lovest simplicity: wherefore I also in the simplicity of my heart have joyfully offered all these things. Lapide: \"In the simplicity (Heb. rectitude) of my heart\" — with a simple, sincere, upright, candid heart and purest intention, seeking nothing but the honour and glory of God. \"For this is altogether worthy and just.\" The test of true worship is purity of intention, not the size of the offering.

O Lord God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Israel our fathers, keep for ever this will of their heart, and let this mind remain always for the worship of Thee. Lapide: David prays that the generosity of the assembly — this holy disposition of heart — may be preserved by God as a permanent disposition. Prayer for perseverance in holy resolve is itself an act of humility, acknowledging that such resolution is God's gift.

And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, that he may keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy ceremonies, and do all things: and build the house, for which I have provided the charges. Lapide: David's last public prayer is not for Solomon's wealth or glory but for a perfect heart — cor perfectum — to keep God's law and build His house. The interior disposition is more important than the exterior work.

And they anointed him the second time to be king before the Lord. Lapide: Solomon had been anointed privately before a few witnesses (I Kings 1:39); now he is anointed publicly before all Israel so that all might know him as king and reverence him as such. This second public anointing is the completion of the first. Sadoc also is anointed high priest, confirming the legitimate succession in both kingship and priesthood.

And Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father. Lapide: Not merely the throne of David, but \"the throne of the Lord\" (solium Domini) — because the kingdom of Israel was a theocracy, and the king of Israel reigned as God's viceroy. This phrase points toward the eternal Messianic kingdom: Christ sits upon the throne of the Lord not merely as viceroy but as the eternal Son.

And he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and glory, and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. Lapide: David's death is described with the triple fullness of the patriarchs (cf. Gen. 25:8 on Abraham) — full of days, riches, and glory. He who sought God's honour above all received from God honour above all kings of Israel.