1 chronicles 28:2 - Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, “Hear me, my brothers, and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 28:2

What does "1 chronicles 28:2" mean?


This verse from 1 Chronicles 28:2 is David, King of Israel, addressing the leaders and representatives of Israel. Let's break it down:

"Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said...": This sets the scene. David, despite his age and likely some health issues, rises to address the assembly. Standing commands attention and implies the importance of his message.

"“Hear me, my brothers, and my people!": David emphasizes his relationship with the assembly, using familiar and respectful language. "Brothers" implies a sense of unity and shared purpose, while "my people" underscores his role as their king and leader.

"As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God...": This is the core of David's message. He reveals his deeply felt desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. He expresses his plan in reverent terms, calling it a "house of rest" for the Ark and referring to it as the "footstool of our God," signifying the earthly dwelling place of God's presence.

"...and I had prepared for the building.": This shows that David had already taken significant steps toward fulfilling his vision. He had gathered resources, made plans, and possibly even begun some preliminary work in anticipation of constructing the temple.

In essence, this verse highlights:

David's piety and devotion to God: His desire to build a temple stems from a deep love and respect for God.
David's leadership and vision: He not only desires a temple but also actively prepares for its construction.
The significance of the Ark of the Covenant: It is central to Israel's relationship with God and deserves a permanent dwelling.
The concept of God's presence among His people: The temple is meant to be a place where God can dwell and be worshiped.

It is important to note that David's plan to build the temple was ultimately denied by God, who told him that his son Solomon would be the one to build it. This verse therefore serves as a preface to David's instructions to Solomon about the temple, which will be given later in the chapter.

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