1 Chronicles 29:14

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) But who am I?—And, indeed, who am I? (answering to the Greek καὶ γάρ).

That we should be able.—That we should hold in: i.e., keep strength (‘āçar kōah), a phrase confined to six passages in the Chronicles and three in Daniel (Daniel 11:6; Daniel 10:8; Daniel 10:16).

All things come of thee.—For from thee is the whole (scil.) of our wealth and power. (Comp. 1Chronicles 29:16.)

And of thine own.—And out of thine own hand.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

29:10-19 We cannot form a right idea of the magnificence of the temple, and the buildings around it, about which such quantities of gold and silver were employed. But the unsearchable riches of Christ exceed the splendour of the temple, infinitely more than that surpassed the meanest cottage on earth. Instead of boasting of these large oblations, David gave solemn thanks to the Lord. All they gave for the Lord's temple was his own; if they attempted to keep it, death would soon have removed them from it. They only use they could make of it to their real advantage, was, to consecrate it to the service of Him who gave it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The people rejoiced for that they offered willingly - i. e., the munificence of the princes and officers 1 Chronicles 29:6 caused general joy among the people.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

1Ch 29:10-25. His Thanksgiving.

10-19. Wherefore David blessed the Lord—This beautiful thanksgiving prayer was the effusion overflowing with gratitude and delight at seeing the warm and widespread interest that was now taken in forwarding the favorite project of his life. Its piety is displayed in the fervor of devotional feeling—in the ascription of all worldly wealth and greatness to God as the giver, in tracing the general readiness in contributing to the influence of His grace, in praying for the continuance of this happy disposition among the people, and in solemnly and earnestly commending the young king and his kingdom to the care and blessing of God.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

That we should be able to offer so willingly, i.e. that thou shouldst give us both such riches out of which we should be able to make such an offering, and such a willing and free heart to offer them; both which are thy gifts, and the fruits of thy good grace and mercy to us.

Of thine own have we given thee; we return only what we have received, and therefore we do only pay a debt to thee, and do not hereby oblige thee, or deserve any thing from thee.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But who am I,.... Originally dust and ashes, a sinful creature, unworthy to receive anything from God, and of having the honour of doing anything for him:

and what is my people: subject to him, the least of all people, separated from the nations round about them, and despised by them:

that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? that they, who were a poor people, some years ago brought out of Egyptian bondage, should now be possessed of such an affluence, and have such a generous heart and liberal spirit given them, as to contribute in so large and liberal a manner as they had done; all was owing to the goodness of God to them, and the efficacy of his grace upon them:

for all things come of thee; all good things, temporal and spiritual; the Lord is the fountain of goodness, and Father of mercies:

and of thine own have we given thee; for there is nothing a man has but he has received from the Lord, and therefore can give nothing to him but his own, see Romans 11:35.

Geneva Study Bible

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things {h} come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

(h) We gave you nothing of our own, but that which we have received from you: for whether the gifts are corporal or spiritual, we receive them all from God, and therefore must give him the glory.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. be able] Lit. retain strength. David praises God for the great success of the efforts of so transitory a creature as man.

of thine own] Lit. out of thine hand.

1 Chronicles 29:14

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

For man of himself can give nothing: "What am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to show ourselves so liberal?" כּוח עצר כּוח, to hold strength together; both to have power to do anything (here and 2 Chronicles 2:5; 2 Chronicles 22:9), and also to retain strength (2 Chronicles 13:20; Daniel 10:8, Daniel 10:16; Daniel 11:6), only found in Daniel and in the Chronicle. התנדּב, to show oneself willing, especially in giving. כּזאת refers to the contribution to the building of the temple (1 Chronicles 29:3-8). From Thy hand, i.e., that which is received from Thee, have we given.