The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

1 Chronicles 29

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

1 Chronicles chapter 29 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “And David the king said unto all the congregation: 'Solomon my son, whom alone G-d hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is…” — the complete text of all 30 verses is below, free to read online.

1And David the king said unto all the congregation: 'Solomon my son, whom alone G-d hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for HaShem G-d.

2Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my G-d the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

3Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my G-d, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my G-d, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

4even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, wherewith to overlay the walls of the houses;

5of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto HaShem?'

6Then the princes of the fathers' houses, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly;

7and they gave for the service of the house of G-d of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thousand talents.

8And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of HaShem, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a whole heart they offered willingly to HaShem; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

10Wherefore David blessed HaShem before all the congregation; and David said: 'Blessed be Thou, O HaShem, the G-d of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

11Thine, O HaShem, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O HaShem, and Thou art exalted as head above all.

12Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou rulest over all; and in Thy hand is power and might; and in Thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

13Now therefore, our G-d, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.

14But 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.

15For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.

16O HaShem our G-d, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee a house for Thy holy name cometh of Thy hand, and is all Thine own.

17I know also, my G-d, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy Thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto Thee.

18O HaShem, the G-d of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever, even the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people, and direct their heart unto Thee;

19and give unto Solomon my son a whole heart, to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made, provision.'

20And David said to all the congregation: 'Now bless HaShem your G-d.' And all the congregation blessed HaShem, the G-d of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and prostrated themselves before HaShem, and before the king.

21And they sacrificed sacrifices unto HaShem, and offered burnt-offerings unto HaShem, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel;

22and did eat and drink before HaShem on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto HaShem to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.

23Then Solomon sat on the throne of HaShem as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel hearkened to him.

24And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

25And HaShem magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

26Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

27And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

28And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

29Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the words of Samuel the seer, and in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the words of Gad the seer;

30with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

30 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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