1 Chronicles 28:2
Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨קָם
stood up
H6965
וַיָּ֨קָם
stood up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 23
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלֵ֣י
upon his feet
H7272
רַגְלֵ֣י
upon his feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
5 of 23
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
שְׁמָע֖וּנִי
Hear
H8085
שְׁמָע֖וּנִי
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אַחַ֣י
me my brethren
H251
אַחַ֣י
me my brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
8 of 23
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְעַמִּ֑י
and my people
H5971
וְעַמִּ֑י
and my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
11 of 23
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לְבָבִ֡י
As for me I had in mine heart
H3824
לְבָבִ֡י
As for me I had in mine heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
12 of 23
the heart (as the most interior organ)
בֵּ֨ית
an house
H1004
בֵּ֨ית
an house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מְנוּחָ֜ה
of rest
H4496
מְנוּחָ֜ה
of rest
Strong's:
H4496
Word #:
15 of 23
repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode
בְּרִית
of the covenant
H1285
בְּרִית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
17 of 23
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רַגְלֵ֣י
upon his feet
H7272
רַגְלֵ֣י
upon his feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
20 of 23
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
of our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
21 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?Psalms 99:5Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.Lamentations 2:1How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!
Historical Context
David's public assembly (c. 971 BCE) explained why he couldn't build the temple despite extensive preparations. His reference to preparations shows that even when God redirects our plans, preparation can serve His ultimate purposes through others.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'preparations' might God be having you make for work He intends others to complete?
- How does viewing God as simultaneously transcendent (in heaven) and immanent (dwelling with His people) shape your worship?
Analysis & Commentary
David's address to Israel's assembly: 'Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building.' David calls them 'brethren and people,' combining covenant kinship with royal relationship. His desire to build 'a house of rest' (bayit m'nuchah) for the ark reflects longing to provide permanent dwelling for God's presence. The phrase 'footstool of our God' acknowledges God's transcendence - even the ark is merely His footstool, not His throne (which is in heaven). This combination of transcendence and immanence prepares for Christ, who is fully God yet dwells among us.