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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D &nbsp; C H R O N I C L E S</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. V.</FONT>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The temple being built and furnished for God, we have here,
I. Possession given to him, by bringing in the dedicated things
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:1">ver. 1</A>),
but especially the ark, the token of his presence,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:2-10">ver. 2-10</A>.
II. Possession taken by him, in a cloud,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:11-14">ver. 11-14</A>.
For if any man open the door of his heart to God he will come in,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:20">Rev. iii. 20</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Ark Placed in the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1004.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
was finished: and Solomon brought in <I>all</I> the 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.
&nbsp; 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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> out of the city of David, which <I>is</I> Zion.
&nbsp; 3 Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the
king in the feast which <I>was</I> in the seventh month.
&nbsp; 4 And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up
the ark.
&nbsp; 5 And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the
congregation, and all the holy vessels that <I>were</I> in the
tabernacle, these did the priests <I>and</I> the Levites bring up.
&nbsp; 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.
&nbsp; 7 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most
holy <I>place, even</I> under the wings of the cherubims:
&nbsp; 8 For the cherubims spread forth <I>their</I> wings over the place
of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves
thereof above.
&nbsp; 9 And they drew out the staves <I>of the ark,</I> that the ends of
the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they
were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.
&nbsp; 10 <I>There was</I> nothing in the ark save the two tables which
Moses put <I>therein</I> at Horeb, when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> made <I>a covenant</I>
with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This agrees with what we had
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+8:2-10">1 Kings viii. 2</A>,
&c., where an account was given
of the solemn introduction of the ark into the new-erected temple.
1. There needed no great solemnity for the bringing in of the dedicated
things,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
They added to the wealth, and perhaps were so disposed as to add to the
beauty of it; but they could not add to the holiness, for it was the
<I>temple that sanctified the gold,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:17">Matt. xxiii. 17</A>.
See how just Solomon was both to God and to his father. Whatever David
had dedicated to God, however much he might have liked it himself, he
would by no means alienate it, but put it among the treasures of the
temple. Those children that would inherit their godly parents'
blessing must religiously pursue their pious intentions and not defeat
them. When Solomon had made all the vessels of the temple in abundance
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+4:18"><I>ch.</I> iv. 18</A>),
many of the materials were left, which he would not convert to any
other use, but laid up in the treasury for a time of need. Dedicated
things must not be alienated. It is sacrilege to do it.
2. But it was fit that the ark should be brought in with great
solemnity; and so it was. All the other vessels were made new, and
larger, in proportion to the house, than they had been in the
tabernacle. But the ark, with the mercy-seat and the cherubim, was the
same; for the presence and the grace of God are the same in little
assemblies that they are in large ones, in the poor condition of the
church that they are in its prosperous estate. Wherever two or three
are gathered together in Christ's name there is he as truly present
with them as if there were 2000 or 3000. The ark was brought in
attended by a very great assembly of the elders of Israel, who came to
grace and solemnity; and a very sumptuous appearance no doubt they
made,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:2-4"><I>v.</I> 2-4</A>.
It was carried by the priests
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
brought into the most holy place, and put under the wings of the great
cherubim which Solomon had set up there,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
<I>There they are unto this day</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
not the day when this book was written after the captivity, but when
that was written out of which this story was transcribed. Or they were
there (so it might be read) unto this day, the day of Jerusalem's
desolations, that fatal day,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+137:7">Ps. cxxxvii. 7</A>.
The ark was a type of Christ, and, as such, a token of the presence of
God. That gracious promise, <I>Lo, I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world,</I> does in effect bring the ark into our religious
assemblies if we by faith and prayer put that promise in suit; and this
we should be most solicitous and earnest for. <I>Lord, if thy presence
go not up with us,</I> wherefore should we go up? The temple itself, if
Christ leave it, is a desolate place,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:38">Matt. xxiii. 38</A>.
3. With the ark they brought up the tabernacle and all the <I>holy
vessels that were in the tabernacle,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
Those were not alienated, because they had been dedicated to God, were
not altered or melted down for the new work, though there was no need
of them; but they were carefully laid up as monuments of antiquity, and
probably as many of the vessels as were fit for use were still used.
4. This was done with great joy. They kept a holy feast upon the
occasion
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
and <I>sacrificed sheep and oxen without number,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
Note,
(1.) The establishment of the public worship of God according to his
institution, and with the tokens of his presence, is, and ought to be,
matter of great joy to any people.
(2.) When Christ is formed in a soul, the law written in the heart, the
ark of the covenant settled there, so that it becomes the temple of the
Holy Ghost, there is true satisfaction in that soul.
(3.) Whatever we have the comfort of we must, by the sacrifice of
praise, give God the glory of, and not be straitened therein; <I>for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased.</I> If God favour us with his
presence, we must honour him with our services, the best we have.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Temple Filled with Glory.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1004.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the
holy <I>place:</I> (for all the priests <I>that were</I> present were
sanctified, <I>and</I> did not <I>then</I> wait by course:
&nbsp; 12 Also the Levites <I>which were</I> the singers, all of them of
Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren,
<I>being</I> arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and
harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an
hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
&nbsp; 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers <I>were</I>
as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and when they lifted up <I>their</I> voice with the trumpets
and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
<I>saying,</I> For <I>he is</I> good; for his mercy <I>endureth</I> for ever:
that <I>then</I> the house was filled with a cloud, <I>even</I> the house
of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>;
&nbsp; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of
the cloud: for the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had filled the house of God.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Solomon, and the elders of Israel, had done what they could to grace
the solemnity of the introduction of the ark; but God, by testifying
his acceptance of what they did, put the greatest honour upon it. The
cloud of glory that filled the house beautified it more than all the
gold with which it was overlaid or the precious stones with which it
was garnished; and yet that was no glory in comparison with the glory
of the gospel dispensation,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:8-10">2 Cor. iii. 8-10</A>.
Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. How God took possession of the temple: He <I>filled it with a
cloud,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
1. Thus he signified his acceptance of this temple to be the same to
him that the tabernacle of Moses was, and assured them that he would be
the same in it; for it was by a cloud that he made his public entry
into that,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+40:34">Exod. xl. 34</A>.
2. Thus he considered the weakness and infirmity of those to whom he
manifested himself, who could not bear the dazzling lustre of the
divine light: it would have overpowered them; he therefore <I>spread
his cloud upon it,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+26:9">Job xxvi. 9</A>.
Christ revealed things unto his disciples as they were able to bear
them, and in parables, which wrapped up divine things as in a cloud.
3. Thus he would affect all that worshipped in his courts with holy
reverence and fear. Christ's disciples were afraid when they entered
into a cloud,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:34">Luke ix. 34</A>.
4. Thus he would intimate the darkness of that dispensation, by reason
of which they could not stedfastly look to the end of those things
which were now abolished,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:13">2 Cor. iii. 13</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. When he took possession of it.
1. <I>When the priests had come out of the holy place,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
This is the way of giving possession. All must come out, that the
rightful owner may come in. Would we have God dwell in our hearts? We
must leave room for him; let every thing else give way. We are here
told that upon this occasion the whole family of the priests attended,
and not any one particular course: <I>All the priests that were present
were sanctified</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
because there was work enough for them all, when such a multitude of
sacrifices were to be offered, and because it was fit that they should
all be eye-witnesses of this solemnity and receive the impressions of
it.
2. When the singers and musicians praised God, then the house was
filled with a cloud. This is very observable; it was not when they
<I>offered sacrifices,</I> but when they <I>sang the praises of
God,</I> that God gave them this token of his favour; for the sacrifice
of praise <I>pleaseth the Lord</I> better than that of <I>an ox or
bullock,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+69:31">Ps. lxix. 31</A>.
All the singers and musicians were employed, those of all the three
families; and, to complete the concert, 120 priests, with their
trumpets, joined with them, all standing at the east end of the altar,
on that side of the court which lay outmost towards the people,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
And, when this part of the service began, the glory of God appeared.
Observe,
(1.) It was when they were unanimous, when they were as one, to make
one sound. The Holy God descended on the apostles when they met with
one accord,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:1-4">Acts ii. 1-4</A>.
Where unity is the Lord commands the blessing.
(2.) It was when they were lively and hearty, and <I>lifted up their
voice to praise the Lord.</I> Then we serve God acceptably when we are
fervent in spirit serving him.
(3.) It was when they were, in their praises, celebrating the
everlasting mercy and goodness of God. As there is one saying oftener
repeated in scripture than this, <I>his mercy endureth for ever</I>
(twenty-six times in one psalm,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+136:1-26">Ps. cxxxvi.</A>,
and often elsewhere), so there is none more signally owned from heaven;
for it was not the expression of some rapturous flights that the
priests were singing when the glory of God appeared, but this plain
song, <I>He is good, and his mercy endureth for ever.</I> God's
goodness is his glory, and he is pleased when we give him the glory of
it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. What was the effect of it. The <I>priests themselves could not
stand to minister, by reason of the cloud</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
which, as it was an evidence that the law made men priests that had
infirmity, so (as bishop Patrick observes) it was a plain intimation
that the Levitical priesthood should cease, and stand no longer to
minister, when the Messiah should come, in whom <I>the fulness of the
godhead should dwell bodily.</I> In him the glory of God dwelt among
us, but covered with a cloud. The Word was made flesh; and when he
comes to his temple, like a refiner's fire, <I>who may abide the day of
his coming?</I> And <I>who shall stand when he appeareth?</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:1,2">Mal. iii. 1, 2</A>.</P>
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