What does 1 Chronicles 28:15 mean?
What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 28:15?

The weight of the gold lampstands and their lamps

David’s blueprint for the temple gives an exact weight for every golden lampstand that would stand in the Holy Place. Gold signals supreme value and purity, echoing the single golden menorah of Exodus 25:31–40. That earlier lampstand “was made of one talent of pure gold” (Exodus 37:24), and Solomon’s temple will multiply that original pattern several times over (2 Chronicles 4:7). By repeating the precious metal, the text underlines the unbroken continuity between the tabernacle and the temple: the same holy light, the same holy presence, now amplified for a larger nation.

• Gold lampstands illuminate the sanctuary, pointing to God’s glory (Revelation 1:12–13).

• Their weight shows that real, costly material is set apart exclusively for worship, fulfilling David’s vow in 1 Chronicles 29:3 to give “gold for the gold work.”


Including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps

The verse next stresses individual weights. Every single lampstand is measured, not merely the combined total. That precision mirrors the charge given to Moses: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40). David passes a Spirit-inspired plan to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:11–13), so the king who builds may not improvise.

• Specific weights prevent shortcuts or inflated pride; Solomon will know exactly how much gold belongs in God’s house and how much belongs in his own treasury (1 Kings 10:14–17).

• Individual accounting also illustrates personal responsibility in worship (Romans 12:1). Each item must be right before the Lord.


The weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps

Silver pieces appear alongside gold ones, showing that diverse materials can serve together in God’s sanctuary. In 1 Chronicles 29:2 David lists “silver for the silver,” matching today’s verse. The combination recalls Numbers 7, where tribal leaders bring silver bowls and basins to the tabernacle.

• Silver, though less costly than gold, is still precious and specifically weighed, teaching that all levels of offering matter (Mark 12:41–44).

• Having both metals provides flexibility: gold lampstands shine in the Holy Place, while their silver counterparts may serve in adjoining chambers (2 Chronicles 4:19).


According to the use of each lampstand

Function determines form. Every lampstand has a placement and a purpose, and its weight is tied to that role. Exodus 27:20–21 orders the priests to keep the lamps burning “from evening till morning,” and the temple system follows the same rhythm. By tailoring weight to use, the design prevents waste and ensures steady light for daily ministry.

• God’s worship is orderly: “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

• The phrase safeguards against repurposing sacred objects for common tasks (Daniel 5:2–4).


summary

1 Chronicles 28:15 highlights God’s detailed plan for His dwelling: gold and silver lampstands, each precisely weighed, each assigned a specific task. The verse teaches that the Lord values excellence, accountability, and purposeful design in worship. Nothing is random; everything, from the heaviest gold lampstand to the lightest silver one, is measured out to reflect His holiness and to keep His light shining among His people.

Why is the specific allocation of gold and silver significant in 1 Chronicles 28:14?
Top of Page
Top of Page