1 Chronicles 29:18

1Ch 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

Ver. 18. Keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people.] David finding in them that float of good affections, that heat and height, he prays heartily that God would, porro fovere, keep up their hearts in that holy temper, fix their quicksilver, fire up their spirits more and more to a holy contention in godliness, and give them "with full purpose of heart to cleave" to himself, as Barnabas expresseth it. {Act 11:23} Lo, this is David’s remarkable prayer - as one well styleth it - for his people; and this should be our continual request unto God for ourselves and others. For it is with holy affections, saith a grave divine, as with exotic noble plants; this country is not so kindly for them, being but a stepmother to them: therefore they must be much watered and cherished by prayer, and all good endeavour.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch_29:18

Keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people.

What must Christians do, that the influences of the ordinances may abide upon them

The course to be taken for this purpose lies--

I. In the practice of some things.

1. Get new hearts, and get them daily more and more renewed. A heart thoroughly sanctified is to the ordinances like tinder, which soon takes fire and is apt to keep it till it be forced out; whereas a carnal, unmortified heart is like green wood, which is not soon kindled and will soon go out, if it be not well looked to. Holiness makes the soul both receptive and retentive of holy impressions.

2. Labour to be much affected with the ordinances while you are employed in them. If the ordinances pierce no further than the surface of the soul, the efficacy of them is not likely to continue. Prepare your hearts before you draw near to God. The heart is prepared when it is made--

(a) Tender (Jer_4:3; Hos_10:12). That which can make no impression at all upon a flint will sink deeply into softened wax.

(b) Sensible; apprehensive of your spiritual wants and necessities.

(c) Open. A quick sense of your spiritual condition will open your hearts. Desire opens the heart (Mat_5:6; Psa_107:9). We come to the ordinances too like the Egyptian dog, which laps a little as he runs by the side of Nilus, but stays not to drink. Christ invites us to eat and drink abundantly (Son_5:1).

3. Mind the ordinances after you use them. Be much in meditation. Much of heaven and holiness is engraved on these ordinances; and the seal is, as it were, set upon the heart, while you are under them; but after-consideration lays more weight on it and impresseth it deeper. The heart takes fire at the mind (Psa_39:3).

4. Let the efficacy of the ordinances be pursued presently into act (Psa_119:60). When the blossoms of a fruit-tree are once knit, though the flourish thereof be gone, and you see nothing but the bare rudiment of the expected fruit, yet you think it more secured from the injury of frosts and winds than if it were still in the flower. Good motions, when they are once reduced into act, are thereby, as it were, knit, and brought to more consistency.

5. You must take much pains with your hearts if you would have them retain the virtue and efficacy of the ordinances. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting (Pro_12:27). He loseth all his former labour because he will not take a little more pains.

6. Comply with the Spirit of God.

7. Be frequent in the use of ordinances. Good impressions do most usually wear off in the intervals of holy duties. It is observed that places under the line are not so hot as some climates at a further distance from it; and this reason is given for it: Those under the equinoctial, though they have the sun more vertical, and the beams, falling more perpendicularly, cause a more intense heat; yet the nights being of equal length with the days, the coolness of those long nights doth more allay the heat than where the nights are shorter. Long intermissions of holy duties are like long nights: you may find them by experience to be great coolers. Elijah in the wilderness had to eat more than once to be strengthened for his journey (1Ki_19:6-8).

8. Look up to God for the continuance of this influence.

II. In the avoidance of other things.

1. Take heed that you perform not your duties negligently (Jer_48:10; Mal_1:8; Mal_1:14; Jer_30:21; Deu_32:46-47).

2. Beware of the world. Meddle not with it more than needs must. Carry yourself amongst worldly objects and employments as though you were amongst cheats and thieves: they have the art to pick your hearts slily. When your hearts are warmed with holy duties, you should be as cautious and wary how you venture into the world as you are of going into the frosty air when you are all in a sweat. What is kindled by the Word or prayer requires as much care to keep it in as to keep a candle in when you would carry it through the open air in a rainy, blustering night. The further you are above the world, the longer may you retain any spiritual impressions. Geographers write of some mountains whose tops are above the middle region of the air; and there lines and figures being drawn in the dust have been found, say they, in the same form and order, untouched, undefaced, a long time after; and the reason is because they are above those winds and showers and storms, which soon wear out and efface any such draughts in this lower region. The lower your minds and hearts and conversations are, the less will anything that is heavenly and spiritual abide upon them.

3. Take heed of any inordinacy in affection, inclination, or design. The ministry of John the Baptist had some influence on Herod (Mar_6:20); but sensuality being predominant, those better inclinations were quite overpowered.

4. Rest not in the best performance of any duty, nor in any assistances you find therein, though they be special and more than ordinary. It is observed that some professors have had the foulest falls, after they have been most elevated in holy employments. We are apt to take the most dangerous colds when we are in the greatest heats.

5. Make not the ordinances your end, but use them as the means to attain it. Application: If the efficacy of thy ordinances abide not in you, you cannot be fruitful under them; at least you cannot bring forth fruit to perfection. (David Clarkson, B. D.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 29:18. O Lord God of Abraham, &c. — A God in covenant with them, and with us for their sakes. Keep this for ever, &c. — Since it is from thy grace that thy people have such willing minds, continue that grace to them, that they may persist in the same generous disposition toward thee and thy worship. And grant that by our perseverance in this piety and charity, we may make good our part of the covenant, and so may not forfeit the benefit of it. And prepare their heart unto thee — Or rather, as it is in the margin, stablish or confirm their heart. Thou, who hast begun a good work, confirm and carry it on by thy grace, otherwise it will languish, and this very people will prove degenerate.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

29:18-19 David did not ask God to grant power, victory, or riches, or for the establishment of Solomon’s kingdom. Instead he asked God to make the people of Israel, and Solomon in particular, always want to obey the Lord. Gaining this kind of heart attitude is a gift from the Lord; success and prosperity are secondary.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Continue them in his good mind, that they may serve thee willingly.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 18. Keep this for ever] All the good dispositions which myself and my people have, came from thee; continue to support and strengthen them by the same grace by which they have been inspired!

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(18) Israel.—1Ch_29:10. (See Gen_32:28, and Exo_3:6.)

Keep this for ever in the imagination.—Rather, preserve this for ever: to wit, “the cast (1Ch_28:9) of the thoughts of the heart of thy people.” Give permanence to the frame of mind which has evinced itself in the freewill offerings of to-day.

Prepare their heart.—Or, direct (1Sa_7:3). (Comp. Eze_4:3; Eze_4:7, “direct the face towards . . .” Pro_16:9, “direct his going.” Comp. also 2Ch_12:14; 2Ch_20:33.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

18. in the imagination] Render, as the imagination. Imagination here means not the faculty, but the result of the exercise of the faculty, a mental image or impression.

prepare] Better R.V. mg., establish. David prays that the people may continue in their present mind.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes,.... All the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, even to observe them cordially and sincerely:

and to do all those things; he had suggested to him particularly:

and to build the palace for the which I have made provision; as before declared.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Keep this forever ... - i. e., “Preserve forever this spirit of liberal and spontaneous giving in the hearts of Thy people, and establish their hearts toward Thee.”

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

This. Hebrew, "keep this for ever, in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and direct their heart unto thee. Preserve these good dispositions, which though has given them." (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people; since it is from thy grace that thy people have such willing minds to thy service, as was before acknowledged, I beg the continuance of that grace to them, that they may persist in the same generous and pious disposition towards thee and thy worship.

Prepare their heart unto thee, or rather, as it is in the margin, stablish or confirm, &c. Thou who hast begun a good work, confirm and carry it on by thy grace, otherwise it will languish, and this very people will prove degenerate.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

18. Keep this for ever in… the heart of thy people — That is, preserve — continue — in them this liberal spirit of giving.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

In the imagination of the thoughts of the heart. We have here again a reminiscence of the early language of Genesis (Gen_6:5 Gen_8:21. See also our book, 1Ch_28:9; Deu_31:21) This same word for "imagination" (rx,ye) is found in the Authorized Version in Isa_26:3, "Whose mind is stayed," etc.; and in Psa_103:14; Isa_29:16; Hab_2:18; in the last three passages translated as "frame," "framed," and "work."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Of Abraham, &c. - A God in covenant with them, and with us for their sakes. Keep forever - Since it is from thy grace that thy people have such willing minds, continue that grace to them, that they may persist in the same generous disposition towards thee and thy worship. Prepare - Or, rather, confirm, thou who hast begun a good work, confirm and carry it on by thy grace.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes,.... All the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, even to observe them cordially and sincerely:

and to do all those things; he had suggested to him particularly:

and to build the palace for the which I have made provision; as before declared.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Israel

Here "Israel" refers to the man named "Jacob."

keep this forever in the thoughts of the minds of your people

"keep this in the thoughts and minds of your people forever"

Direct their hearts toward you

Here the people's "hearts" represent their thoughts and desires. AT: "Direct them to be loyal to you" or "Keep them loyal to you" (See: Metonymy)

Give to Solomon my son a wholehearted desire

The word "desire" may be expressed as a verb. AT: "Make my son Solomon fully desire" (See: Abstract Nouns)

translationWords

God

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

eternity

mind

Solomon

command

covenant

decree

statute

palace

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

keep this forever Remember for us this donation as a great deed and as a righteous act.

even the creation of the thoughts of Your people for the creation of their two hearts and their thoughts are for good, and this refers back to “for You test the heart, etc.”

and prepare their hearts to You Their two hearts are made perfect to be one heart to You, and so you shall explain...

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.