He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

1 CHRONICLES 28:14KJV
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1 Chronicles 28:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 28:14 mean?

1 Chronicles 28:14 describes how David gave specific amounts of gold and silver, measured by weight, for making the various gold and silver objects needed for temple service. The verse emphasizes that every kind of instrument or tool for the temple’s work had its own assigned amount of precious metal.

In this scene, King David is speaking to the leaders of Israel as he prepares for the building of the temple, which his son Solomon will construct. David is giving detailed instructions about the resources and materials to be used, showing careful planning and dedication to the temple’s service. The verse highlights the importance of order and generosity in preparing for worship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 28:14

  • זָהָב (zahav, "gold") and כֶּסֶף (keseph, "silver"): These words make clear that the materials being distributed are valuable and set apart for a sacred purpose.
  • מִשְׁקָל (mishqal, "weight"): This word points to the precise measurement, showing that David was not vague or careless but gave exact amounts for each item.
  • כְּלִי (kli, "instruments" or "vessels"): This term refers to the various objects or tools used in temple service, from large furnishings to smaller utensils.
  • עֲבוֹדָה (avodah, "service"): This word often means work or service, especially in a religious context, highlighting that these items were for the tasks and rituals of temple worship.

Why 1 Chronicles 28:14 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the temple’s construction was haphazard or left to chance; David’s careful allocation of materials shows intentional planning.
  • The emphasis on weight and specific instruments reveals the seriousness with which worship and service in the temple were treated, underlining the value placed on both the materials and the acts of service.
  • In the wider passage, this detail connects to David’s larger instructions for Solomon, showing that the preparations for the temple were thorough and that nothing was left for Solomon to guess or improvise.

Where else these words appear

“weight” Hebrew H4948 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
  • Numbers 7:67 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 22:14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.