1 Chronicles 29

and the Canaanites; and madest the sun and. the moon stand still, by the spirit oftlnj glory, till thy people were vindicated of their enemies. For all things, both in heaven and in earthy are the work of thy hands; thotr$upportest and rulest all things; and thou art.exalted above all the angels in heaven, as well as all the kings upon eiarth;? vants, as we read 1 Kings i. and now, in the presence of all the great men of Israel, the princes of the tribes, captains of thousands cind hundreds. (Sec Bertram, do Rcpub. Jud. p. 130, 131.) And, indeed, we are led to this by the connexion’ -with the foregoing words: for the persons who now made him king (he second time, were those beforementioned, who sacrificed and feasted thereupon with gTcat joy: after David’s long speech to them. Dr. Lightfoot, indeed, observes, that there is mention three times of Solomon’s being made king: twico in this book, chap, xxiii. 1. and here in this place; and in 1 Kings i. So that there may be a question made, whether he was made king three times, or only twice. But this place seems to settle the doubt; for when, upon the aspiring of Adonijah, he was anointed, it was tho first time that David shewed who should succeed him: see 1 Kings i. 21. 27. and that must be concurrent, or the same, with that making him king mentioned in this book, chap, xxiii. 1. and this anointing in the midst of tho princes and great commanders, was the second time. Abarbincl is of the same opinion, that he was anointed at first before a few; and now more publicly before the whole nation. And anointed 7dm unto the Lord to be the chief governor.] After the death of David, who, perhaps, now resigned the government of the kingdom to him, finding he had not long to live. And Zadok to be priest.’) This hath inclined many to think the anointing forementioned was after the death of David: because Abiathar was not put out of his office till the beginning of Solomon’s reign. But I see no reason why we may not think he was anointed to be priest, as Solomon was to be king, in David’s lifetime: though he was not actually put into the office till after he was dead, when Abiathar was thrust out. It was necessary he should bo anointed, because the succession to the high-priesthood, in the line. of Eleazar, had been long interrupted; and Abiathar, of the lino of Ithamar, was still alive. This reason the Jews give why he was anointed; which was not necessary, they say, but in this case: it being sufficient otherwise, only to clothe him with the priestly vestments. But see Selden, de Success*, in Pontif. lib. ii. cap. 9. who will incline one to be of another opinion! r the knee or the thigh of a p rson, was a token of subjection to him: and was anciently used, when they solemnly promised any thing to a superior, by an oath; (Gen. xxiv. 2. xlvii.29.) which custom, if it did not continue in use in Solomon’s days, yet that which was signified by it, was expressed in the ancient phrase.

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Jt URTHERMORE, David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.] He stirs them up to the assistance of his son, by these considerations, that he was a person chosen by God, not by him, for this work: and yet he needed their help, because he was but a yo^th, (see 1 Kings iii. 7.) and the work itself was to be very magnificent, suitable to the majesty that was to dwell 4G2 A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. XXIX. therein, viz. the Lord himself; who dwells not (as the apostle speaks) in temples made with hands: but was present there by a glorious light, which represented his majesty.

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Noiv, I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God, the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for tilings of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and.stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones m abundance.] AVo read of his great preparation for this building before, (chap. xxii. 14, &c.) only nothing is said there concerning precious stones; the use of which, in the ornament of any part of the temple, as not known. Ludolphus, speaking of the word phuc, which we translate glistering, saith, that as David provided all things for the fabric of the temple, so ho provided, for the clothing of the priests with rich garments, and also with such things as were good for bodily health, as this was, which was not only KoanryriKov, for ornament, but St-pantimkov, for medicine and preservation of health. But perhaps phuc being famous among those things which women used for setting off their beauty, it may possibly here be a metaphorical word, for all such stones as may set off the build- \ u %*,(See his Commentary upon the Ethiopic History, lib.i. cap. 7. n.51.),,, (l, *

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Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy home.] Besides what he had devoted and dedicated to this use, he gave, out of what remained for his own occasions, a further sum for the building of the house, which is mentioned, in the next verse.

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Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir. The gold, of Ophir, here. mentioned, was that which came out of Arabia, where, Bochartus hath proved, there was a country of that name abounding with gold.. For in David’s time the Ophir of India was not kuoyvn, Solomon being the first that attempted a long voyage, thither. So are we to understand the word Ophir in the book of Job, (xxii. 24. xxviii. 16.) For in his time they had not learned to traffic into those far-distant countries, where the other Ophir in India was. (See my notes on 1 Kings ix. 18.)- This gold here mentioned, was of a purer sort than that in chap. xxii. 11. which was coarser than the gold of Ophir. And seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal.] There are two things, which Dr. Lightfoot hath remarked in these two verses. One is, that it is said, this preparation was above what he had prepared for the holy house, and yet he saith he had prepared it for the house of God. The other is, that mention is made here of silver to overlay the house withal; whereas it is evident, that, within the house itself all the overlaying was. of gold. Therefore it is thus to be understood, that besides the store of gold that David had provided for the gilding of the house, both in the holy and most holy place; he had also laid by a stock, both of gold and silver, to gild the chambers over the porch (for there were divers upperchambers, the height of it being a hundred and twenty cubits), and -to beautify the side-chambers, and the other roomsthat were about the courts. All this gold and silver amounted to such a vast sum of our money, that it is not easy to give an account of it. *( Sce Calvisius,ad Annum Mundi 2033.).

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The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things qf silver, and for all maimer of work to be’ made by the hands of artificers. That there might be enough to pay all sort of workmen their wages, as well as to provide them materials to. work withal. And who then is willing to consecratchis service this.day unto the Lord?] The Hebrew phrase, to JW. his hand (as it is in the margin) signifies to make an offering; unto which he excites them by his example, as a thing which would be very grateful unto God. * -,, *, •, Ver. (>. Tfienthe chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains ofthoxtsands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king’s work, offered willingly.] All those great men, mentioned chap, xxvii. made their cheerful contributions. * r,\ * f Ver..7. < And gave, for the service of the house of God, of gold, five thousand talents and ten thousand drams; and of silver, ten thousand talents; and of brass, eighteen thousand talents; and one hundred thousand talents of iron.] What every particular person gave is not here recorded; but the whole amounted to these sums, which was very great;

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And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by tits hand ofJehiel the Gershonite. For he and his sons were keepers of the treasure of God’s house, (chap. xxyi. 21, 22.) and.were appointed to receive such offerings. Ver., 9. Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly.] They.that made the offering rejoiced; for they did it with a good ^yiIl, and not by constraint.. Because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord.] This is the virtue which St. Paul palls an\6Tti$, singleness of heart; which hath respect purely to the service of God, the honour of religion, and the good of his church, (2; Cor. viii. 2. ix. 11, 13.) And David the king also rejoiced with great joy.] It was a singular comfort to him in his old age, to see the people so well disposed; and his exhortation so effectual upon their hearts; which gave him a good hope this work would not fail to be speedily accomplished.

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Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our fattier, for ever and ever. All this he ascribed to the grace of God, whom he therefore blessed and praised, for giving them such a heart.

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Tliine, O Lord, is the greatness t and the power,- and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is tlie kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.] This is a most noble declaration of the sense he had of the Divine excellences and perfections, with a thankful acknowledgment of his immensity, power, goodness, eternity, and majesty, which are the properties or attributes of God. The Targum, and tho Talmudists, apply these to the wonderful works of God, in this manner: — Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, for thou createdst the world; ami the powqr, for thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, and carriedst them through the Reel Sea; and revealedst thyself in glory upon Mount Sinai, to give the law to thy people; and obtainedst victory over Amalek, Sihon, Og,

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Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all: and in thine hand is potver and might; and in thine hand it is to make grtat, and togive strength, unto all.) The Targum thus paraphrases it: The riches of the wealthy; and the £lory of kings, and dominions, are:given them by thee; thou rulest over all, and they are in thy power: who art able to multiply, and strengthen all things; that is,. to increase thoseto great numbers who’are diminished, and, to strengthen those who arc feeble and weak,

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. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

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But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be abler to offer so willingly after this sort?. In the Targum it is thus paraphrased: Who hast given such plenty; tJiat we are able to offer these gifts.‘He should have added, and also given us a heart to part with them for thy.service. For all things come of thee, and’ of thine own haveive given thee.’] We only return to thee what thine own - hand hath blessed us withal, as the Targum expresses it. And so the, ancient Christians were wont to say at their offertory, to. aa curb tcjv <tcjv, thine from thine: that is, thy own goods, from thy own people. In like manner we ought to acknowledge. God in all spiritual’ things; referring. every good thought,. good purpose, good work, to his Divine grace, from whom we receive it; beseeching him/as David doth here in this prayer, (ver. 18.) to preserve it in us,

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For we are strangers before thee; and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. He acknowledges that they wera not proprietors of that good land wherein they dwelt, but only his tenants; who held all they had of him; and that but a very short term; after which they must leave, all, as their fathers had done. The words’ maybe thus paraphrased, in short: We have but the use of these things for a little while, and so have.parted with no great matter unto thee. Those words, as a shadow, the Targum thus, paraphrases:’ As’ the shadow of a bird which flieth through the air y so are our days upon the earth: that is, soon gone, as the Psalmist speaks.

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O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared, to build thee a house for thine holy name, cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. He could not often enough repeat his sense of this, that they had given him nothing but what was his own; which he had most bountifully bestowed on them.

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I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness.. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things. But the highest satisfaction was, that God had bestowed upon him a heart, to do what he had done willingly, with a sincere respect to the service of God, and not out of vainglory. For the truth of which he appeals to God himself, who could not be deceived with false shows and pretences. And now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.] It was a great additional comfort to him, that God had given such a heart unto his people. t.h»Ver. 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.] He could not desire a greater blessing for them, than that he who had given them such a pious heart, would preserve them in the same good disposition: and confirm and establish them therein. So the last words are better translated in the margin, establish their heart unto thee. Which the Targum paraphrases, dispose their heart to fear thee.

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And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart; to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and. thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.] To have a due respect to all God’s precepts (in,the observation of every one of which, perfectness of heart consists) he knew would be the best security for the performing what David designed. For then he would not be disobedient to his father’s dying words.

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And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord your God. And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed’ down theirlieads, and worshipped the Lord and the king.] They worshipped both with the same gesture, but with a different mind; God with religious worship, the king with civil: giving God thanks for all his benefits, arid thanking the king for all the fcarehehad taken, during his reign, for their prosperity. But some think, this worship was not paid toDavid, but to Solomon; it being the manner thus to acknowledge the king, when he was enthroned. So they bowed their knees to our Saviour, in mockery of him, as a pretended king,

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And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt-offerings unto the Lord, on the morrow after that day. For the ark was now at Jerusalem, where this great congregation was assembled, (chap, xxviii. 1.) and therefore they offered peace-offerings and burnt-offer-r ings to God in that place, on the morrow after their meeting: for’ there was not time to do it on that day, when the foregoing things were done. t Even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abun* dance for all Israel.] That is, together with the numerous burnt-offerings, a great many peace-offerings (which are here meant by sacrifices), sufficient for the entertainment of all the Ifaelites, who were there present, to feast upon;’ as the manner was, and as it’ follows in the next verse. ■

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And did, eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. For the greatest part of peaceofferings was given to the persons that offered them, to entertain their friends withal, as hath been often observed. And they are said to eat and drink before the iord,because it was a sacred feast, kept before the ark at Jerusalem, the place which God had chosen, according to the law, Deut. xii. 11, &c. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time.] This is supposed to have been done after David’s death, when Solomon was anointed for himself, as reigning pleno jure, in subjection to none: as he was anointed the first time by David’s command. But there are great men of another opinion; that he was twice anointed while David lived: first, in the presence of a few of David’s scr-

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Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord. So the throne of this kingdom is called, because this was God’s land; and Israel his people, over whom he still remained their king: and Solomon reigned over them, not by inheritance, but by his special appointment. The Targum thus expresses it, He sat upon the royal throne, according to the word of the Memra, Word of the Lord. ■ As king instead of David his father, and prospered;’ and all Israel obeyed him.’] From the beginning of his reign, his people were all obedient to him: whereas, it was a long time before Saul could be settled on his throne; and it was longer before all Israel submitted to David.

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And all the princes, and the mighty men. All the soldiery, as well as tho heads of the tribes, and the great commanders. And all the sons likewise of king David.] “Who were then alive. Submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.] Sware allegiance to him. For so tho Hebrew phrase signifies, they gave the hand under Solomon. For putting the hand under

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And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in tJie sight of all Israel, and bcstoived upon him such royal majesty as Jiad not been on any, king before him in Israel. Which appears from the foregoing books, which shew, that neither David, nor Saul, nor any of the judges (who governed before them), lived in such splendour, a$ was in the court of Solomon. Ver. 2G. TJcus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.] That is, this is a brief account of what David did, during his reign, especially in the latter end of it.

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And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned lie in Jerusalem. See 2 Sam, v. 5/

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And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches,and honour. Abundantly satisfied, that he had lived long enough, in as great plenty and glory as he could desire. And Solomon his son reigned in his stead.] Having this particular satisfaction, to see his son sit on his throne, likely to reign in greater glory than he had done. This was the Lord’s doing, who disposed the hearts of all the great men, and his elder brethren, and the whole kingdom, to submit to him, who was but a young inan.

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Now the acts of David the king, first and last. A larger account of all that he did, from the beginning to the end of his reign. * Behold, they are written in (lie book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer.] Here are three distinct titles given to those three persons: Samuel being called roeh, and Nathan is called nabi, and Gad is called choseh. But whether they have distinct significations, denoting several ways of receiving Divine inspirations, or several degrees of it, I am not able to determine. But this we may certainly affirm, with Theodoret(in his preface to the book of the Kings),, that the prophets, besides the edition of their prophecies, published’ also very frequently the history of their own times. And Samuel began to write the life of David, which Nathan and Gad finished: out of which these things here recorded were extracted. Ver/30. With all his reign and his might.] That is, how he governed his people, and how he warred with their enemies; and got glorious victories over them: with all the rest that he did, both as a prophet and as a king. And the times that went over him, and over Israel.] All the troubles which he endured, and which befel the people of Israel; (which are called times’mYs&X. xxx. 16.)or, more simply, the meaning may be, all the revolutions that were in public affairs, in his days. * And over all the kingdoms of the countries.] That is, the neighbouring countries, such as tho Philistines,’ Moab, Amalek, Syria, Damascus, the Ammonites, &c. The loss of which history is very much bewailed; but God knows better than we, what was fit to bo preserved for the use and benefit of his church. CHAP. I.]