1 Chronicles 22

David stirreth up provision for the building of the Temple, ver.2, &c. He exhorteth Salomon to fear God, and to be diligent in building the Temple, 6. And he commandeth the Princes to be faithfully assisting to Salomon in this business, 17.

1. And David said, Here shall be the house of God the LORD, and here shall the altar of burnt-offering be for Israel. [Oth. Here is the house, &c. To wit, where the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite was as if David had said, I perceive now that God hath made choice of this place, that he will dwell there, and that we must ordinary serve him there, for as much as he hath now answered me by fire from heaven, above chap.21.ver26. Deut.12.v.5,6,7.]

2. And David said, that they should gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel, [These strangers were men that dwelt among the people of Israel, and served as hirelings: see 2 Chron.chap.2.ver.17. and chap.8.ver.7.] and he appointed Masons to hew stones, that were to be hewed, [Heb. stones of the hewing. [That is, which are sit to be hewed and cut] to build the house of God.

3. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails at the doors of the gates, and for the joinings: also the copper in abundance, without weight. [That is, so much that it could not be weighed, nor counted: so verse 4.]

4. And Cedar-wood without number: for the Zidonians and the Tyrians brought Cedar-wood to David in abundance.

5. For David said, Salomon my son is a youth, and tender, [That is, he is yet but a young man: yet he had a wife at that time, as may be gathered from Rehabeams age, 2 Chron.12.13.] and the house that is to be builded for the LORD, must be made great in the highest (degree) for a name, and for glory in all lands, [that is, that it shall become famous and renowned in all the world, by reason of its beauty and costliness] I will now prepared (provision) for it: so David prepared (provision) in abundance before his death.

6. Then he called Salomon his son, and charged him to build an house unto the LORD the God of Israel.

7. And David said unto Salomon: my son, as for me, it was in mine heart [That is, I intended, or purposed] to build an house unto the Name of the LORD my God.

8. But the word of the LORD came unto me, [to wit, by Nathan the prophet, 2 Sam.7.17.] saying, Thou hast shed blood in abundance, and hast waged great wars: thou shalt build o house unto my Name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the eart before my face. [This is not so to be understood, as if just wars that are made upon good grounds, were forbidden of God, but because whereof Christ is the Head, who is a Prince of Peace, and hath made peace between God and us: Therefore his Kingdom, which is a Kingdom of peace, is likewise typified by Salomon, who reigned in peace.]

9. Behold, the son that shall be born to thee, he shall be a man of rest, for I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Salomon, [That is, peaceful, or, peaceable] and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

10. He shall build a house for my Name, and he shall be to me a son, and I (will be) to him a Father; and I will establish the throne of his Kingdom over Israel for ever. [This promise of an everlasting Kingdom over Israel for ever. [This promise of an everlasting Kingdom is properly made good in Christ, Luke 1:3. whereof Salomons transitory Kingdom was a type.

11. Now my son, the LORD shall be with thee: [Oth. The Lord be with thee] and thou shalt be prosperous, and shalt build the house of the LORD thy God, according as he hath spoken of thee.

12. Onely the LORD give thee courage and understanding, [Or, understanding, and reason] and give thee charge concerning Israel, and that to keep the Law of the LORD thy God.

13. Then shalt thou be prosperous, when thou shalt take heed to do the statutes, and the judgement, which the LORD commanded Moseh concerning Israel: be strong, and of Good courage, dread not, nor be dismayed.

14. Behold there, I have in my oppression [During the troubles and miseries of war which l have undergone]prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, [see Exod. Chap.25.on ver.39.] and a thousand times a thousand talents of silver, and of the copper, and of the iron (there) is no weight, for it is in abundance: I have also prepared wood and stones, add thou yet more thereto.

15. There be also with thee in abundance, that are able to do the work, [Heb. doers of the work] hewers, and work-men in stone and wood: and all manner of men in all manner of work.

16. Of gold, of silver, of copper, and of iron (there) is no number: get thee up, and do it, and the LORD shall be with thee. [Oth. The Lord be with thee.]

17. David also commanded all the Princes of Israel; to help Salomon his son, (saying,)

18. Is not the LORD your God with you, and hath given you rest round about? For he hath given the inhabitants of the Land into mine hand, and this land is subdued before the face of the LORD, and before the face of his people. [That is, to the service of God, and to the use and benefit of the people of Israel.]

19. So then give up your heart, and your soul, to seek the LORD your God, and get you up, and build the Sacntuary of God the LORD, that they may bring the Ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God into this house, which shall be built unto the Name of the LORD.