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

1 CHRONICLES 29:6KJV
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1 Chronicles 29:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 29:6 mean?

1 Chronicles 29:6 describes how the leaders of Israel—including the heads of families, tribal princes, military commanders, and those in charge of the king’s work—gave their offerings willingly for the building of the temple. The verse highlights that these leaders were not forced or pressured, but chose to contribute freely.

This moment takes place as King David is preparing for the construction of the temple, which his son Solomon will build. David has just made his own generous offering and called on the leaders to join him. The verse emphasizes the voluntary and unified response of all the major leaders, showing their shared commitment to the temple project.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 29:6

  • The word "offered willingly" is נָדַב (nadav), meaning to give freely or voluntarily. This stresses that the leaders’ gifts were not out of obligation, but from a willing heart.
  • The term for "chief" and "princes" is שַׂר (sar), which can refer to rulers, officials, or commanders. The repetition of this word for different groups shows that leaders from various areas of responsibility all participated.
  • "Work" is מְלָאכָה (melakhah), meaning work, task, or service. This clarifies that some leaders were specifically responsible for overseeing the king’s projects, not just military or tribal affairs.
  • "Fathers" is אָב (av), meaning heads of families or ancestral leaders. This shows the involvement of both political and family leadership in the offering.

Why 1 Chronicles 29:6 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that giving for the temple was a top-down command; instead, it was a voluntary act by the nation’s leaders, setting an example for everyone else.
  • The verse highlights the unity among Israel’s leadership, showing that support for the temple was broad and not just from King David alone.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing the response to David’s challenge and generosity, setting the stage for the joyful and willing giving that follows in the rest of the chapter.