1 Chronicles 28

1 Chronicles 28:1-10

The account here given of David’s end is truly noble. 1. A general convention of the States is summoned, ver. 1. 2. Solomon is appointed to the remedy, and to build the temple, ver. 3—4. 3. David exhorts Solomon and the people to make religious their legal nifs, ver. 5—12. 4. Defevers to Solomon the model and materials for building the temple, ver. 11—19. 5. Encourages him to undertake it, ver. 20, 21.

AND David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the

The companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men unto Jerusalem. 2. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people, At for me, ‘I had in those 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: 3. But God said unto me, ‘Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hath been a man of war, and hath shed blood.’ 4. However, the LORD God of Israel choke me before all the house of my father, to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen ‘Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father, he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 5. And of all my sons (for the LORD hath given me many sons) he hath chosen Solomon my Son, to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6. And he said unto me, ‘Solomon thy Son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my Son, and I will be his father. 7. Moreover, I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be the constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. 8. Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. 9. 9. And thou, Solomon my Son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and underhandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will call thee off for ever. 10. Take heed now, for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong and do it.

Sinking under age and infirmities, the good old king makes one last effort to address the grand assembly he had convened for the solemn appointment of his successor.

11. He opens his speech with the most gracious expressions; and whilst as their king he demands attention, he calls them his brethren, and beloved people, to testify the affection he bore them, and to engage a more ready concurrence with his intentions. Note, (1.) Christ, the greater king of his Israel, is not ashamed of this endeared relation, Isid. xi. x. (2.) Nefæst and kindness to inferiors will engage their more cheerful service.

12. He lets them know his intentions to have built a temple for the ark, the footstool of God, his presence being visible over it between the cherubims; but God, for the reasons given, ekep axis, 7, 8. prevented him, and reserved it for his son’s reign, who should have leisure for the vast undertaking. However, he had amassed vast preparations to facilitate the work.

13. He informs them of the divine appointment of Solomon for his successor; nor need it seem strange to them, that a younger son of his family was preferred to this honour. Judah and Jelle were younger branches, yet elected of God; and himself the youngest son, yet of sovereign grace advanced to the kingdom. God has a right to choke who shall rule his people, and Solomon is appointed to that station of eminence, and ordained to build the glorious temple; and if he approved himself faithful to God, as he had begun, the prosperity of his kingdom would be for ever established. Note, (1.) Every son of God, and heir of his kingdom, is an elect vessel, and reigns not in right of nature, but of grace. (2.) Perseverance in the path of duty is the only way to make our calling and election sure.

14. He solemnly, in the presence of God and the congregation, charges them to search what is the will of God, and diligently and faithfully to obey it, which was not only their bounden duty, but also their highest interest, as what would secure to them and throes the possession of their glorious inheritance. Note, (1.) If we would follow God faithfully, we must search the scrupulous diligently, that we may know what he would have us to do. (2.) The best inheritance we can leave our children, is the example of our piety, and the blessing of God promised thereupon.

Let’s, He concludes with a striking exhortation to his son [1.] To know his father’s God, to be acquainted with his glorious perfection, and to remember the success received from him, as the strongest obligation to love and obey him. [2.] To serve him in sincerity and truth, with delight

and readiness. Note, Love to God makes us count none of his commemotional grievous. [3.] He urges this exhortation with the consideration of God’s all-searching wisdom, who knows the secrets of all hearts, and who rewards and punishes with unfinished equity, those who faithfully seek him, or those who perfidiously forsake him. Note, It is just that they who forsake God, should be forsaken by him. [4.] As he was peculiarly honoured, as chosen of God to build the temple, he was more especially called upon to take heed to his ways, that he might walk and please God, and not be discouraged at any difficulties, since God, who had appointed him the work, was able to carry him through. Note, (1.) We can never be enough jealous of ourselves, or confident in God. (2.) When God employs us, we may be sure he will support us.

11. ¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasures thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parchums thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat. 12. And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasures of the house of God, and of the treasures of the dedicate things. 13. Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD. 14. He gave of gold by weight, for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service, silver also for all instruments of silver, by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service: 15. Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick. 16. And by weight he gave gold for the tables of flave-bread, for every table, and already silver for the tables of silver. 17. Also pure gold for flesh-hooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden bats he gave gold by weight for every batson: and likewise silver by weight for every batson of silver: 18. And for the altar of incense, refused gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19. All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. 20. And David said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee,’ he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hath finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 21. And behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee, for all the service of the house of God, and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship,’ every willing skilful man for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

1 Chronicles 28:11-21

We have here,

1. An exact copy given to Solomon of the temple, vessels, and manner of service in it, either by divine inspiration communicated to David, or written by the finger of God, as the tables of the law were, v. 19. The cherubims, v. 18. are called the chariot of the cherubims, because God’s glorious presence was manifested between them; and in the Pylons, the angels, whom these cherubims represented, are called the chariots of God, Pyl. tavils. 17.

2. That the vessels might be exact, David weighed the gold and silver for each; vast and immense they were in number and size, amounting, according to a jewish author, to no less than 10,000. Besides the original golden table and candlestick, which were in the tuberculosis, ten others of the same sort were placed in the temple opposite each other. The silver candlesticks seem for the priest’s apartments, and the silver tables probably for the use of the court where the sacrifices were prepared and offered. Note, When Jesus, the true temple, appeared among men, his outward form seemed not to correspond to this glorious type; but they who by faith discovered the incarnate God, betold his glory infinitely surpassing.

3. David repeats his encouragement. No sequence, danger, or difficulty; much drier him, God being his helper, he might be assured of success, as David could satisfy by experiment; and he might expect ready assistance from priests, princes, and

people, people, whom God would incline to further the work to the summit of their power. Note, (1.) If we have God’s promises on our side, it becomes us to renounce every unbelieving fear. (2.) When God inclines mindless and people to be heavy in the work, the Spiritual building rises gloriously.