Read & explore together
David's Prayer for the Temple Gifts
This prayer shows David praising Yahweh in front of the whole assembly as gifts have been prepared for building a house for Yahweh’s holy name. It teaches that praise, thanks, humility, and prayer belong together.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this passage, David blesses Yahweh before all the assembly. He speaks about Yahweh’s greatness, rule, riches, and strength. He says the prepared store for the house comes from Yahweh’s hand, then asks Yahweh to shape the hearts of the people and of Solomon. The assembly then blesses Yahweh and bows down.
1 Chronicles 29:10–20Main takeaway
This prayer teaches that what people offer to God already belongs to him, so giving should be joined with humility, thanks, and a heart turned towards obedience.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01David begins with praiseDavid starts by blessing Yahweh publicly. He calls Yahweh the God of Israel and says he is blessed forever.
Explanation
David starts by blessing Yahweh publicly. He calls Yahweh the God of Israel and says he is blessed forever. Then he piles up words that honour Yahweh: greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. The reason is clear in the prayer: everything in heaven and on earth belongs to Yahweh, and he is exalted above all.
02Riches and honour come from YahwehDavid says riches and honour come from Yahweh, and that power and strength are in his hand.
Explanation
David says riches and honour come from Yahweh, and that power and strength are in his hand. That leads naturally to thanks and praise. David does not speak as if the people made themselves great. In this prayer, Yahweh is the giver, the ruler, and the one able to make great and give strength.
03Giving with humilityDavid asks, “Who am I, and what is my people?” He does not treat their willing offering as something that puts God in their debt.
Explanation
David asks, “Who am I, and what is my people?” He does not treat their willing offering as something that puts God in their debt. Instead, he says all things come from God, and they have only given back what is already his. Human life is also described humbly as brief, like a shadow.
04A prayer for faithful heartsDavid says God tries the heart and has pleasure in uprightness. He rejoices that the people offered willingly, then asks God to keep this desire in their hearts.
Explanation
David says God tries the heart and has pleasure in uprightness. He rejoices that the people offered willingly, then asks God to keep this desire in their hearts. He also prays for Solomon to have a perfect heart to keep God’s commandments, testimonies, and statutes, and to build the palace. The assembly responds by blessing Yahweh and bowing down.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to David, why does Yahweh deserve such high praise?
Look for the lines that say what belongs to Yahweh and how he stands above all.
02How does David explain the people’s offering?
Notice his words about where all things come from and what they have actually given.
03What does David ask Yahweh to do in the hearts of the people and of Solomon?
Compare the request for the people’s desire to remain with the request for Solomon’s obedience.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Chronicles 29:10–20
10Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
11Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all.
12Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all!
13Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.
14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given you of your own.
15For we are strangers before you and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining.
16Yahweh our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own.
17I know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.
18Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you;
19and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.”
20Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless Yahweh your God!” All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king.