2 Chronicles 5
PATTr HUS all the xvork that Solomon made for the house of the Lord was finished: and Solomon brought in all tlie things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.) See 1 Kings vii. 51. David, we read-.l Chron. xxii. 14.. made, such vast preparations for building of this house, that there was more than could be spent in the work..What remained, therefore, Solomon would not employ to his own use, but laid it up in the treasures of God’s house.
2 Chronicles 5:2
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is in Zion.] See 1 Kings viii. 1.
2 Chronicles 5:3
Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king. That is, all tlie persons forementioned. In the feast which teas in the seventh month.] See 1 Kings viii. 2. The feast of tabernacles, which they kept seven days; and the feast of dedication, which lasted as many, (chap. vii. 9.)
2 Chronicles 5:4
And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark. That is, they whose office it was to carry it.
2 Chronicles 5:5
And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle; these did the priests and the Levites bring up. See 1 Kings viii. 3.
2 Chronicles 5:6
Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude. See 1 Kings viii. 5. The observation of Victorinus Strigelius upon this history is very pious: That nothing is more lovely in human things, than such concord as here appeared among all orders of men; both of teachers and learners, magistrates, soldiers, and people, who were all combined to promote the service and honour of God. Such unity ought to be studied by Christian people, that wc may be all one, as our Saviour prayed.
2 Chronicles 5:7
And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the oracle of the house, in the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherzibims. The very same words are in 1 Kings viii. 6. (See there.)
2 Chronicles 5:8
For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. And this verse also is the same with 3 Kings viii. 7. *
2 Chronicles 5:9
And they drew out the staves of the ark, tltat the ends of the staves vjere seen from the ark before the oracle, but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. Or, they are there, as the margin hath it, out of ] Kings viii. 8. where there are the same words. And when that book was written they were exactly true; but when this author transcribed them into this book, after the captivity, there were then neither staves nor ark remaining: therefore he only relates how Solomon settled* things. (See my notes there.)
2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out oj Egypt. These words also are there explained. (Sec 1 Kings viii. 10.)
2 Chronicles 5:11
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place. Whither they carried the ark, and set it in its place. For all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course.] As David had appointed in the ordinary service at the temple. But upon this extraordinary occasion they all attended (though it * was not their course), at least as many as could, and were sanctified to do all the duties of this great day. For, as Kimchi observes, there were such a multitude of sacrifices offered, that the service of them all was necessary.
2 Chronicles 5:12
Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in. white linen, having cymbals, and psalteries, and harps.] According to their several families/as the Targum well explains it; viz, those of the family of Asaph, &c. Stood at the east end of the altar.] Where the Talmudists say there were two desks for them to stand in and sing. One of which had fifteen steps, on which they sung those songs called the Songs of Degrees, or Steps. For, there is no better account, I/Empereur thinks, can be given of that name. And with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets.] Who joined with the Levites, it appears by tlie next verse, in praising God.
2 Chronicles 5:13
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord. When they were all ready, as one man, to make with one voice a loud sound. And when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets, and cymbals, and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying.] As soon as they began to sound, and play on the instruments, and sing the following words. For he is good; for his mercy endurethfor ever.] Many think they sung the whole psalm, which thus begins, O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, &c. And so the LXX. in this place, IfiofioXoyuaSt r$ Kvpfy, &c. and the Vulgar in like manner. That then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord.] In the Hebrew there is nothing answering to the word even: but the whole may be thus plainly rendered, The house was filled with the cloud of the house of the Lord..That is, with the cloud that was wont to be in the most holy place, and was the token of the gracious presence and favour of the Divine Majesty among them.
2 Chronicles 5:14
So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. See 1 Kings viii. 19. It is a pious reflection which Victorinus Strigelius makes upon this place: Which’ adraonishcth us, saith he, first, of the presence of God in