1 Chronicles 20
DOYLY1 Chronicles 20:4
4.—that there arose war at Gezer &c.] At this place followed the several transactions and disasters of David’s affairs for the space of about thirteen years, which VOL. I. are to be supplied from the second book of Samuel, from chap. xii. to chap. xxi. 15, &c. Pyle. Chap. XXI. ver. 1. And Satan stood up &c.] See the notes at 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. On the phrase “stood up against Israel,” it should be remarked, that standing up was the posture of those who charged and accused any person of a crime in a court of justice; see 1 Kings xxii. 21. Thus the allusion here may be, that Satan is represented as bringing some sin to the charge of the Israelites, which he laid before God as a reason for punishing them. For this is the manner of the Holy Scripture, thus to bring things down, and accommodate them to the lowest capacities. Bp. Patrick.
1 Chronicles 20:9
9.—Gad, David’s seer,] See the note on 2 Chron. xxxiii. 19.
1 Chronicles 20:20
- And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel.] This book, it will be observed, supplies many circumstances omitted in the account given in the book of Samuel; and amongst these is the circumstance of Ornan, or Araunah, having himself seen the angel; for there it was only mentioned that David saw him. Bp. Patrick.
1 Chronicles 20:23
- — and the threshing instruments for wood.] That is, to burn the sacrifice of the oxen. The threshing instrument used in the East is not like a flail, but is a sledge, drawn by two oxen, and driven by a man seated in a chair fixed on the sledge. Such instruments as these might serve to accomplish the purpose of con-
1 Chronicles 20:25
- — six hundred shekels of gold] See note at 2 Sam. xxiv. 24.
1 Chronicles 20:26
- — he answered him — by fire] In a similar manner God testified His acceptance of the sacrifices of Gideon and Elijah; and this was the highest and plainest token of His gracious acceptance of any sacrifice. Bp. Patrick.
1 Chronicles 20:28
- — then he sacrificed there.] David, finding how acceptable to God this place was, concluded it was his
David’s preparation for the temple. CHAP. XXI, XXII. His charge to Solomon. Before CHRIST 1617. f Chap. 16. 39.
1 Chronicles 20:30
- — He was afraid because of the sword of the angel] As he thought that God had now consecrated to His service the threshingfloor of Araunah, he thought there might still be danger that the angel might smite Jerusalem if he did not continue to worship God there, and if he went to the altar at Gibeon. The altar which he had now erected was set up, by the express command of God, as well as that of Moses; and he probably knew that God intended a temple should be built on this spot to His perpetual honour. Bp. Patrick. Chap. XXII. ver. 1. — This is the house] This is the place where the temple must be built. Dr. Wall. From the tokens of acceptance which God had been pleased to afford, David concluded that this was the place in which “the house of the Lord God” was to be built, which he had purposed to erect himself, and which was now to be intrusted to his son Solomon; and that in this place was to be “the altar of the burnt offering” which was to be made. Dr. Wells.