But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You. But who am I, and who are my people,This phrase reflects King David's humility and recognition of his own unworthiness before God. David, despite being a powerful king, acknowledges that his status and achievements are not of his own making. This humility is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in figures like Moses ( Exodus 3:11) and Solomon ( 1 Kings 3:7). It emphasizes the biblical principle that God chooses and uses the humble ( James 4:6). David's question also highlights the special relationship between God and Israel, His chosen people ( Deuteronomy 7:6). that we should be able to give as generously as this?
David marvels at the ability of the Israelites to contribute so abundantly to the building of the temple. This reflects the cultural and religious importance of the temple as a central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people (1 Kings 8:27-30). The generosity of the people is seen as a response to God's faithfulness and provision. This mirrors the New Testament teaching on giving, where believers are encouraged to give cheerfully and generously (2 Corinthians 9:7). For everything comes from You,
This acknowledges God's sovereignty and ownership over all creation. Theologically, it aligns with the doctrine of God as Creator and Sustainer (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17). Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine kingship, where the deity is seen as the ultimate source of all blessings. It underscores the biblical truth that humans are stewards of God's resources (Psalm 24:1). and from Your own hand we have given to You.
David recognizes that their offerings are merely returning to God what He has already provided. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where believers are caretakers of God's gifts (Matthew 25:14-30). It also connects to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where offerings were a way to honor God and acknowledge His provision (Leviticus 1-7). This phrase can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate gift from God, given for the salvation of humanity (John 3:16). Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel who is speaking in this verse. He is expressing humility and gratitude as he prepares for the building of the temple. 2. IsraelitesThe people of Israel who have contributed generously to the temple's construction. They are recognized for their willingness to give. 3. Temple PreparationThe context of this verse is the preparation for the building of the temple, which David has organized and for which he has gathered resources. 4. JerusalemThe city where the temple is to be built, serving as the spiritual and political center of Israel. 5. GodThe ultimate source of all resources and blessings, acknowledged by David as the provider of everything they have. Teaching Points Humility in GivingRecognize that our ability to give is a gift from God. We should approach giving with humility, understanding that we are merely stewards of His resources. Acknowledgment of God's SovereigntyEverything we possess is from God. Acknowledge His sovereignty in all aspects of life, including our material possessions. Generosity as WorshipGiving is an act of worship. When we give generously, we honor God and reflect His generosity towards us. Community in GivingThe collective effort of the Israelites shows the power of community in achieving God's purposes. Encourage communal participation in church and community projects. Gratitude for ProvisionCultivate a heart of gratitude for God's provision. Recognize and thank God for His blessings in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's attitude in 1 Chronicles 29:14 challenge our modern perspective on ownership and giving? 2. In what ways can we practice humility in our giving, acknowledging that everything comes from God? 3. How can the example of the Israelites' collective generosity inspire us to participate in community and church projects today? 4. Reflect on a time when you recognized God's provision in your life. How did it change your perspective on giving? 5. How can we ensure that our giving is an act of worship and not just a routine or obligation? What steps can we take to cultivate a cheerful heart in giving? Connections to Other Scriptures James 1:17This verse echoes the sentiment that every good and perfect gift is from above, reinforcing the idea that all we have comes from God. Psalm 24:1This scripture states that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, aligning with David's acknowledgment of God's ownership of all things. 2 Corinthians 9:7This verse speaks to the attitude of giving, emphasizing that God loves a cheerful giver, which complements the spirit of generosity shown by David and the Israelites. | A Voluntary Gift Under the Law | Baldwin Brown, B. A. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | All Belongs to God | A. Monod. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | Christ, the Author of Blessings Ministered Through His Servants | J. R. Miller, D. D. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | Christian Liberality in God's Cause | Cunninghan Geikie, D. D. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | God Acknowledged | Memoirs of Sir Francis Crossley. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | God the Bestower of All Good Gifts | H. Stowell, A. M. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | No Room for God | Patens. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | Our Obligations to God | J. King. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | The Building of the Temple | R. Watson. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | The Impossibility of Creature-Merit | H. Melvill, B. D. | 1 Chronicles 29:14 | | David's Blessing | J.R. Thomson | 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 | | All Strength is from God | D. Macleod. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | David's Thanksgiving | J. Wolfendale. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | David's Thanksgiving | D. Clarkson. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | Divine Ownership | Homilist | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | God's Supreme Dominion and Universal Authority | R. Shittler. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Agency of God in Human Greatness | J. Erskine, D. D. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Divine Greatness and Beneficence | J. Johnson Cort, M. A. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Kingdom of God | W. Jay, M. A. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Last Thanksgiving | J. Wolfendale. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Lord is the Owner of All Things | | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Nature of True Greatness | John Proudfit, D. D. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | The Reciprocal Influence of Mind Upon Mind in Worship | Anon. | 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 | | Rejoicing Before God | W. Clarkson | 1 Chronicles 29:10-22 | | David's Prayer and Blessing | F. Whitfield | 1 Chronicles 29:10-24 |
People David, Gad, Isaac, Jehiel, Jesse, Nathan, Ophir, Samuel, Solomon, ZadokPlaces Hebron, Jerusalem, OphirTopics Able, Freely, Generously, Manner, Offer, Power, Retain, Sort, Thus, Willingly, Yea, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Chronicles 29:14 1080 God, living
1210 God, human descriptions
1330 God, the provider
8435 giving, of oneself
8436 giving, of possessions
8472 respect, for environment 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 5686 fathers, examples 1 Chronicles 29:14-16 6710 privileges
8811 riches, attitudes to 1 Chronicles 29:14-19 8332 reputation Library The Waves of Time
'The times that went over him.'--1 CHRON. xxix. 30. This is a fragment from the chronicler's close of his life of King David. He is referring in it to other written authorities in which there are fuller particulars concerning his hero; and he says, 'the acts of David the King, first and last, behold they are written in the book of Samuel the seer ... with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over all Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.' Now I have ventured …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThat we Ought to Offer Ourselves and all that is Ours to God, and to Pray for All
The Voice of the Disciple Lord, all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.(1) I desire to offer myself up unto thee as a freewill offering, and to continue Thine for ever. Lord, in the uprightness of mine heart I willingly offer(2) myself to Thee to-day to be Thy servant for ever, in humble submission and for a sacrifice of perpetual praise. Receive me with this holy Communion of Thy precious Body, which I celebrate before Thee this day in the presence of the Angels invisibly surrounding, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Enoch, the Deathless
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. Enoch was the bright particular star of the patriarchal epoch. His record is short, but eloquent. It is crowded into a few words, but every word, when placed under examination, expands indefinitely. Every virtue may be read into them; every eulogium possible to a human character shines from them. He was a devout man, a fearless preacher of righteousness, an intimate friend of God, and the only man of his dispensation who did not see death. He sheds a lustre on the …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT1 Chronicles 29:14 ESV1 Chronicles 29:14 NASB1 Chronicles 29:14 KJV
1 Chronicles 29:14 Commentaries
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