1 Chronicles 29:10-22a--David Prays in the Assembly

1 Chronicles 29:10-22a
English Standard Version

David Prays in the Assembly
10 Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

20 Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the LORD and to the king. 21 And they offered sacrifices to the LORD, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness.

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David's final act as king is to lead the congregation in worship (probably not only in prayer, but also in song).  He adores the LORD for who He is, naming just some of His awe-inspiriting attributes.  David then humbly admits to the LORD that he and the people are nothing compared to the LORD, and don't deserve His favor and blessing.  They are simply His undeserving servants who are happy to serve their King (the LORD).  David also makes reference to that fact that this is the same LORD God who cut a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  He is their God and continues to be the God of His people Isarael now and will hopefully remain the God of David's son Solomon and the people that Solomon will reign over.  David prays that Solomon, and the people will have hearts to obey the Mosaic Covenant (the Law), and to obey the testimonies of the LORD and the statutes of the LORD (the written Word and the Word spoken by His prophets) so that they might have long and abundant, and peaceful lives full of the LORD's blessings.

Then the people joined David in blessing and praising the LORD, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.  They bowed their heads, their knees and their hearts as they honored the LORD as their true king (notice tomorrow that Solomon will only be called a prince over the people of Israel, just like David was called, for the LORD is King and delegates authority to the one the people would call king, but He calls prince).  The people sacrificed many burnt offerings with their required drink offerings--1,000 bulls and 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs.  So all the people had a feast and ate and drank before the LORD on that day and celebrated the LORD, the reign of King David, and the LORD's choosing of King Solomon.