◄ 1 Chronicles 29:26 ►
David son of Jesse was king over all Israel.
Study Bible
Now
The word "Now" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a conclusion or summary of events. In the Hebrew text, this is often a simple conjunction that connects narratives. It signifies a moment of reflection on the life and reign of David, a pivotal figure in Israel's history. This word invites readers to pause and consider the significance of what has transpired, setting the stage for the transition of leadership to Solomon.

the reign of David
David's reign is central to the narrative of the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "reign" (מָלַךְ, malak) implies not just ruling but also the establishment of order and justice. David's reign is characterized by his heart for God, his military conquests, and his establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. His leadership is often seen as a foreshadowing of the Messianic kingdom, with David as a type of Christ, the ultimate King.

son of Jesse
This phrase emphasizes David's humble beginnings. Jesse was a Bethlehemite, and David was the youngest of his sons, chosen by God not for his stature but for his heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The mention of Jesse roots David in the tribe of Judah, fulfilling Jacob's prophecy that the scepter would not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10). It highlights God's sovereignty in choosing leaders according to His purposes, often contrary to human expectations.

over all Israel
David's reign "over all Israel" signifies the unification of the twelve tribes under a single monarch. This unity was not easily achieved, as David initially reigned over Judah alone before becoming king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5). The phrase underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding a great nation and reflects the ideal of a united people under God's chosen king, a theme that resonates with the unity of believers under Christ.

was complete
The completion of David's reign marks the end of an era and the fulfillment of God's promises to him. The Hebrew root for "complete" (שָׁלֵם, shalem) conveys a sense of wholeness and peace. David's reign, despite its challenges and personal failures, is seen as a period of divine favor and blessing. It sets the stage for the building of the Temple by Solomon, David's son, and the continuation of the Davidic covenant, which ultimately points to the eternal reign of Christ. This completion is a reminder of God's faithfulness and the hope of ultimate fulfillment in His kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The central figure in this verse, David was the second king of Israel, known for his heart for God, his military prowess, and his role in establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. His reign is often seen as the golden age of Israel.

2. Jesse
David's father, a Bethlehemite, who was a humble farmer. Jesse's lineage is significant as it fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah coming from the line of David.

3. Israel
The united kingdom over which David reigned. Under David's leadership, Israel experienced significant expansion and consolidation, both politically and spiritually.

4. Reign
This refers to David's period of rule over Israel, which lasted for 40 years. His reign is marked by the unification of the tribes of Israel and the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital.

5. Chronicles
A book in the Old Testament that provides a historical account of Israel's monarchy, focusing on the reigns of David and Solomon, and emphasizing the importance of temple worship and the Davidic covenant.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Choice
David's reign reminds us that God chooses leaders according to His purposes, often looking beyond human qualifications to the heart.

Legacy of Faithfulness
David's life encourages believers to pursue a legacy of faithfulness, knowing that our actions and decisions impact future generations.

Unity and Leadership
David's ability to unite the tribes of Israel under one kingdom serves as a model for godly leadership that seeks unity and peace.

Covenant Promises
The Davidic covenant points to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, ultimately realized in Jesus Christ, the eternal King.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's reign as described in 1 Chronicles 29:26 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we see the importance of a leader's heart in the account of David's anointing and reign?

3. How does the unification of Israel under David's leadership provide a model for unity within the church today?

4. What aspects of David's life and reign can we apply to our own lives as we seek to leave a legacy of faithfulness?

5. How does the promise of the Davidic covenant find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, and what does this mean for us as believers?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16
This chapter describes the anointing of David by the prophet Samuel, highlighting God's choice of David as king due to his heart, not his outward appearance.

2 Samuel 5
Details David's anointing as king over all Israel and his conquest of Jerusalem, establishing it as the capital city.

Psalm 89
Celebrates the covenant God made with David, promising that his descendants would rule forever, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ.

Acts 13
In the New Testament, Paul refers to David as a man after God's own heart, emphasizing his role in God's redemptive plan.
Sermons
David and Solomon: ContrastW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 29:22-30
David's DeathF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 29:26-30
People
David, Gad, Isaac, Jehiel, Jesse, Nathan, Ophir, Samuel, Solomon, Zadok
Places
Hebron, Jerusalem, Ophir
Topics
David, Jesse, Reigned, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 29:26-28

     5087   David, reign of
     5366   king
     5370   kingship, human
     5554   status

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 Scripture

That 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

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