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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC13028.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T C H R O N I C L E S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXIX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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David has said what he had to say to Solomon. But he had something more
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to say to the congregation before he parted with them.
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I. He pressed them to contribute, according to their ability, towards
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the building and furnishing of the temple,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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II. They made their presents accordingly with great generosity,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:6-9">ver. 6-9</A>.
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III. David offered up solemn prayers and praises to God upon that
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occasion
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:10-20">ver. 10-20</A>),
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with sacrifices,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:21,22">ver. 21, 22</A>.
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IV. Solomon was hereupon enthroned, with great joy and magnificence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:23-25">ver. 23-25</A>.
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V. David, soon after this finished his course,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:26-30">ver. 26-30</A>.
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And it is hard to say which shines brighter here, the setting sun or
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the rising sun.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Presents for the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation,
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Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, <I>is yet</I> young and
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tender, and the work <I>is</I> great: for the palace <I>is</I> not for man,
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but for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God.
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2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God
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the gold for <I>things to be made</I> of gold, and the silver for
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<I>things</I> of silver, and the brass for <I>things</I> of brass, the iron
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for <I>things</I> of iron, and wood for <I>things</I> of wood; onyx stones,
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and <I>stones</I> to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours,
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and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in
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abundance.
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3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my
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God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, <I>which</I>
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I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I
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have prepared for the holy house,
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4 <I>Even</I> three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir,
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and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the
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walls of the houses <I>withal:</I>
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5 The gold for <I>things</I> of gold, and the silver for <I>things</I> of
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silver, and for all manner of work <I>to be made</I> by the hands of
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artificers. And who <I>then</I> is willing to consecrate his service
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this day unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>?
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6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of
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Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the
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rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,
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7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five
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thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten
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thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one
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hundred thousand talents of iron.
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8 And they with whom <I>precious</I> stones were found gave <I>them</I>
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to the treasure of the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, by the hand of Jehiel
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the Gershonite.
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9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly,
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because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>:
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and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We may here observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How handsomely David spoke to the great men of Israel, to engage
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them to contribute towards the building of the temple. It is our duty
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to <I>provoke one another to love and to good works,</I> not only to do
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good ourselves, but to draw in others to do good too as much as we can.
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There were many very rich men in Israel; they were all to share in the
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benefit of the temple, and of those peaceable days which were to
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befriend the building of it; and therefore, though David would not
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impose on them, as a tax, what they should give towards it, he would
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recommend the present as a fair occasion for a free-will offering,
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because what is done in works of piety and charity should be done
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willingly and not by constraint; for God loves a cheerful giver.
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1. He would have them consider that Solomon was young and tender, and
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needed help; but that he was the person whom God had chosen to do this
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work, and therefore was well worthy their assistance. It is good
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service to encourage those in the work of God that are as yet young and
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tender.
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2. That the world was great, and all hands should contribute to the
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carrying of it on. The palace to be built was not for man, but for the
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Lord God; and the more was contributed towards the building the more
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magnificent it would be, and therefore the better would it answer the
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intention.
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3. He tells them what great preparations had been made for this work.
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He did not intend to throw all the burden upon them, nor that it should
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be built wholly by contributions, but that they should show their good
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will, by adding to what was done
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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<I>I have prepared with all my might,</I> that is, "I have made it my
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business." Work for God must be done with all our might, or we shall
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bring nothing to pass in it.
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4. He sets them a good example. Besides what was dedicated to this
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service out of the spoils and presents of the neighbouring nations,
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which was for the building of the house (of which before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+22:14"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 14</A>),
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he had, out of his own share, offered largely for the beautifying and
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enriching of it, 3000 talents of gold and 7000 talents of silver
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>),
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and this because he had set his affection on the house of his God. He
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gave all this, not as Papists build churches, in commutation of
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penance, or to make atonement for sin, nor as Pharisees give alms, to
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be seen of men; but purely because he loved the habitation of God's
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house; so he professed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+26:8">Ps. xxvi. 8</A>)
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and here he proved it. Those who set their affection upon the service
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of God will think no pains nor cost too much to bestow upon it; and
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then our offerings are pleasing to God when they come from love. Those
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that set their affection on things above will set their affection on
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the house of God, through which our way to heaven lies. Now this he
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gives them an account of, to stir them up to do likewise. Note, Those
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who would draw others to do that which is good must themselves lead.
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Those especially who are advanced above others in place and dignity
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should particularly contrive how to make their light shine before men,
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because the influence of their example is more powerful and extensive
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than that of other people.
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5. He stirs them up to do as he had done
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>And who then is willing to concentrate his service this day unto the
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Lord?</I>
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(1.) We must each of us, in our several places, serve the Lord, and
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consecrate our service to him, separate it from other things that are
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foreign and interfere with it, and direct and design it for the honour
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and glory of God.
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(2.) We must make the service of God our business, must <I>fill our
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hands to the Lord,</I> so the Hebrew phrase is. Those who engage
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themselves in the service of God will have their hands full; there is
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work enough for the whole man in that service. The filling of our hands
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with the service of God intimates that we must serve him only, serve
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him liberally, and serve him in the strength of grace derived from him.
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(3.) We must be free herein, do it willingly and speedily, do it this
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day, when we are in a good mind. <I>Who is willing?</I> Now let him
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show it.</P>
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<P>
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II. How handsomely they all contributed towards the building of the
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temple when they were thus stirred up to it. Though they were persuaded
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to it, yet it is said, <I>They offered willingly,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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So he said who knew their hearts. Nay, they offered <I>with a perfect
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heart,</I> from a good principle and with a sincere respect to the
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glory of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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How generous they were appears by the sum total of the contributions,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:7"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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They gave like themselves, like princes, like princes of Israel. And a
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pleasant day's work it was; for,
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1. <I>The people rejoiced,</I> which may be meant of the people
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themselves that offered: they were glad of the opportunity of honouring
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God thus with their substance, and glad of the prospect of bringing
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this good work to perfection. Or the common people rejoiced in the
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generosity of their princes, that they had such rulers over them as
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were forward to this good work. Every Israelite is glad to see temple
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work carried on with vigour.
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2. <I>David rejoiced with great joy</I> to see the good effects of his
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psalms and the other helps of devotion he had furnished them with,
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rejoiced that his son and successor would have those about him that
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were so well affected to the house of God, and that this work, upon
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which his heart was so much set, was likely to go on. Note, It is a
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great reviving to good men, when they are leaving the world, to see
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those they leave behind zealous for religion and likely to keep it up.
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<I>Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace.</I></P>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ch29_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Prayer to God; Sacrifices Offered.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 Wherefore David blessed the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> before all the
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congregation: and David said, Blessed <I>be</I> thou, L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of
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Israel our father, for ever and ever.
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11 Thine, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>is</I> the greatness, and the power, and the
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glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all <I>that is</I> in the
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heaven and in the earth <I>is thine;</I> thine <I>is</I> the kingdom, O
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and thou art exalted as head above all.
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12 Both riches and honour <I>come</I> of thee, and thou reignest
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over all; and in thine hand <I>is</I> power and might; and in thine
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hand <I>it is</I> to make great, and to give strength unto all.
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13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy
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glorious name.
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14 But who <I>am</I> I, and what <I>is</I> my people, that we should be
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able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things <I>come</I>
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of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
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15 For we <I>are</I> strangers before thee, and sojourners, as
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<I>were</I> all our fathers: our days on the earth <I>are</I> as a shadow,
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and <I>there is</I> none abiding.
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16 O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God, all this store that we have prepared to
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build thee a house for thine holy name <I>cometh</I> of thine hand,
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and <I>is</I> all thine own.
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17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast
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pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine
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heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I
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seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer
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willingly unto thee.
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18 O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers,
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keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the
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heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
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19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy
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commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all
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<I>these things,</I> and to build the palace, <I>for</I> the which I have
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made provision.
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20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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your God. And all the congregation blessed the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of their
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fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and
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the king.
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21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and offered
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burnt offerings unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, on the morrow after that day,
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<I>even</I> a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, <I>and</I> a thousand
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lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance
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for all Israel:
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22 And did eat and drink before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> on that day with great
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gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second
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time, and anointed <I>him</I> unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>to be</I> the chief
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governor, and Zadok <I>to be</I> priest.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The solemn address which David made to God upon occasion of the
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noble subscriptions of the princes towards the building of the temple
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
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<I>Wherefore David blessed the Lord,</I> not only alone in his closet,
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but <I>before all the congregation.</I> This I expected when we read
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>)
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that <I>David rejoiced with great joy;</I> for such a devout man as he
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would no doubt make that the matter of his thanksgiving which was so
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much the matter of his rejoicing. He that looked round with comfort
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would certainly look up with praise. David was now old and looked upon
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himself as near his end; and it well becomes aged saints, and dying
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saints, to have their hearts much enlarged in praise and thanksgiving.
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This will silence their complaints of their bodily infirmities, and
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help to make the prospect of death itself less gloomy. David's psalms,
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toward the latter end of the book, are most of them psalms of praise.
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The nearer we come to the world of everlasting praise the more we
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should speak the language and do the work of that world. In this
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address,</P>
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<P>
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1. He adores God, and ascribes glory to him as the God of Israel,
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<I>blessed for ever and ever.</I> Our Lord's prayer ends with a
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doxology much like this which David here begins with--<I>for thine is
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the kingdom, the power, and the glory.</I> This is properly praising
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God--with holy awe and reverence, and agreeable affection,
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acknowledging,
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(1.) His infinite perfections; not only that he is great, powerful,
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glorious, &c., but that his is the greatness, power, and glory, that
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is, he has them in and of himself,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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He is the fountain and centre of every thing that is bright and
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blessed. All that we can, in our most exalted praises, attribute to him
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he has an unquestionable title to. His is the <I>greatness;</I> his
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greatness is immense and incomprehensible; and all others are little,
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are nothing, in comparison of him. His is the <I>power,</I> and it is
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almighty and irresistible; power belongs to him, and all the power of
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all the creatures is derived from him and depends upon him. His is the
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<I>glory;</I> for his glory is his own end and the end of the whole
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creation. All the glory we can give him with our hearts, lips, and
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lives, comes infinitely short of what is his due. His is the
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<I>victory;</I> he transcends and surpasses all, and is able to conquer
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|
and subdue all things to himself; and his victories are incontestable
|
|
and uncontrollable. And his is the <I>majesty,</I> real and personal;
|
|
with him is terrible majesty, inexpressible and inconceivable.
|
|
|
|
(2.) His sovereign dominion, as rightful owner and possessor of all:
|
|
"<I>All that is in the heaven, and in the earth, is thine,</I> and at
|
|
thy disposal, by the indisputable right of creation, and as supreme
|
|
ruler and commander of all: <I>thine is the kingdom,</I> and all kings
|
|
are thy subjects; for thou art head, and art to be exalted and
|
|
worshipped as head above all."
|
|
|
|
(3.) His universal influence and agency. All that are rich and
|
|
honourable among the children of men have their riches and honours from
|
|
God. This acknowledgment he would have the princes take notice of and
|
|
join in, that they might not think they had merited any thing of God by
|
|
their generosity; for from God they had their riches and honour, and
|
|
what they had returned to him was but a small part of what they had
|
|
received from him. Whoever are great among men, it is God's hand that
|
|
makes them so; and, whatever strength we have, it is God that gives it
|
|
to us, as the <I>God of Israel our father,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:10,Ps+68:35"><I>v.</I> 10. Ps. lxviii. 35</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He acknowledges with thankfulness the grace of God enabling them to
|
|
contribute so cheerfully towards the building of the temple
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Now therefore, our God, we thank thee.</I> Note, The more we do for
|
|
God the more we are indebted to him for the honour of being employed in
|
|
his service, and for grace enabling us, in any measure, to serve him.
|
|
<I>Does he</I> therefore <I>thank that servant?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+17:9">Luke xvii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
No: but that servant has a great deal of reason to thank him. He thanks
|
|
God that they were <I>able to offer so willingly.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is a great instance of the power of God's grace in us to be
|
|
able to do the work of God willingly. He works <I>both to will and to
|
|
do;</I> and it is in the day of his power that his people are made
|
|
willing,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:3">Ps. cx. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We must give God all the glory of all the good that is at any time
|
|
done by ourselves or others. Our own good works must not be the matter
|
|
of our pride, nor the good works of others the matter of our flattery,
|
|
but both the matter of our praise; for certainly it is the greatest
|
|
honour and pleasure in the world faithfully to serve God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He speaks very humbly of himself, and his people, and the offerings
|
|
they had now presented to God.
|
|
|
|
(1.) For himself, and those that joined with him, though they were
|
|
princes, he wondered that God should take such notice of them and do so
|
|
much for them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Who am I, and what is my people?</I> David was the most honourable
|
|
person, and Israel the most honourable person, then in the world; yet
|
|
thus does he speak of himself and them, as unworthy the divine
|
|
cognizance and favour. David now looks very great, presiding in an
|
|
august assembly, appointing his successor, and making a noble present
|
|
to the honour of God; and yet he is little and low in his own eyes:
|
|
<I>Who am I, O Lord?</I> for
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>we are strangers before thee, and sojourners,</I> poor despicable
|
|
creatures. Angels in heaven are at home there; saints on earth are but
|
|
strangers here: <I>Our days on the earth are as a shadow.</I> David's
|
|
days had as much of substance in them as most men's; for he was a great
|
|
man, a good man, a useful man, and now an old man, one that lived long
|
|
and lived to good purpose: and yet he puts himself not only into the
|
|
number, but in the front, of those who must acknowledge that their
|
|
<I>days on the earth are as a shadow,</I> which intimates that our life
|
|
is a vain life, a dark life, a transient life, and a life that will
|
|
have its periods either in perfect light or perfect darkness. The next
|
|
words explain it: <I>There is no abiding,</I> Heb. <I>no
|
|
expectation.</I> We cannot expect any great matters from it, nor can we
|
|
expect any long continuance of it. This is mentioned here as that which
|
|
forbids us to boast of the service we do to God. Alas! it is confined
|
|
to a scantling of time, it is the service of a frail and short life,
|
|
and therefore what can we pretend to merit by it?
|
|
|
|
(2.) As to their offerings, <I>Lord,</I> says he, <I>of thy own have we
|
|
given thee</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>It cometh of thy hand, and is all thy own.</I> "We have it from thee
|
|
as a free gift, and therefore are bound to use it for thee; and what we
|
|
present to thee is but rent or interest from thy own." "In like manner"
|
|
(says bishop Patrick) "we ought to acknowledge God in all spiritual
|
|
things, referring every good thought, good purpose, good work, to his
|
|
grace, from whom we receive it." <I>Let him that glories</I> therefore
|
|
<I>glory in the Lord.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He appeals to God concerning his own sincerity in what he did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is a great satisfaction to a good man to think that God <I>tries the
|
|
heart</I> and <I>has pleasure in uprightness,</I> that, whoever may
|
|
misinterpret or contemn it, he is acquainted with and approves of the
|
|
<I>way of the righteous.</I> It was David's comfort that God knew with
|
|
what pleasure he both offered his own and saw the people's offering. He
|
|
was neither proud of his own good work nor envious of the good works of
|
|
others.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. He prays to God both for the people and for Solomon, that both might
|
|
hold on as they began. In this prayer he addresses God as <I>the God of
|
|
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,</I> a God in covenant with them and with us
|
|
for their sakes. Lord, give us grace to make good our part of the
|
|
covenant, that we may not forfeit the benefit of it. Or thus: they were
|
|
kept in their integrity by the grace of God establishing their way; let
|
|
the same grace that was sufficient for them be so for us.
|
|
|
|
(1.) For the people he prays
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
that what good God had put into their minds he would always keep there,
|
|
that they might never be worse than they were now, might never lose the
|
|
convictions they were now under, nor cool in their affections to the
|
|
house of God, but always have the same thoughts of things as they now
|
|
seemed to have. Great consequences depend upon what is innermost, and
|
|
what uppermost, in the imagination of the thoughts of our heart, what
|
|
we aim at and what we love to think of. If any good have got possession
|
|
of our hearts, or the hearts of our friends, it is good by prayer to
|
|
commit the custody of it to the grace of God: "Lord, keep it there,
|
|
keep it for ever there. David has prepared materials for the temple;
|
|
but, Lord, do thou prepare their hearts for such a privilege;"
|
|
<I>establish</I> their hearts, so the <I>margin.</I> "Confirm their
|
|
resolutions. They are in a good mind; keep them so when I am gone, them
|
|
and theirs for ever."
|
|
|
|
(2.) For Solomon he prays
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Give him a perfect heart.</I> He had charged him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+28:9"><I>ch.</I> xxviii. 9</A>)
|
|
|
|
to serve God <I>with a perfect heart;</I> now here he prays to God to
|
|
give him such a heart. He does not pray, "Lord, make him a rich man, a
|
|
great man, a learned man;" but, "Lord, make him an honest man;" for
|
|
that is better than all. "Lord, <I>give him a perfect heart,</I> not
|
|
only in general <I>to keep thy commandments,</I> but in particular
|
|
<I>to build the palace,</I> that he may do that service with a single
|
|
eye." Yet his building the house would not prove him to have a perfect
|
|
heart unless he made conscience of keeping God's commandments. It is
|
|
not helping to build churches that will save us if we live in
|
|
disobedience to God's law.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The cheerful concurrence of this great assembly in this great
|
|
solemnity.
|
|
|
|
1. They joined with David in the adoration of God. When he had done his
|
|
prayer he called to them to testify their concurrence (<I>Now bless the
|
|
Lord your God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
which accordingly they did, by <I>bowing down their heads,</I> a
|
|
gesture of adoration. Whoever is the mouth of the congregation, those
|
|
only have the benefit who join with him, not by <I>bowing down the
|
|
head</I> so much as by <I>lifting up the soul.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. They paid their respects to the king, looking upon him as an
|
|
instrument in God's hand of much good to them; and, in honouring him,
|
|
they honoured God.
|
|
|
|
3. The next day they offered abundance of sacrifices to God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
both burnt-offerings, which were wholly consumed, and peace-offerings,
|
|
which the offerer had the greatest part of to himself. Hereby they
|
|
testified a generous gratitude to God for the good posture their public
|
|
affairs were in, though David was going the way of all the earth.
|
|
|
|
4. They feasted and rejoiced before God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
In token of their joy in God, and communion with him, they feasted upon
|
|
their peace-offerings in a religious manner before the Lord. What had
|
|
been offered to God they feasted upon, by which was intimated to them
|
|
that they should be never the poorer for their late liberal
|
|
contributions to the service of the temple; they themselves should
|
|
feast upon the comfort of it.
|
|
|
|
5. They made Solomon king the second time. He having been before
|
|
anointed in haste, upon occasion of Adonijah's rebellion, it was
|
|
thought fit to repeat the ceremony, for the greater satisfaction of the
|
|
people. They <I>anointed him to the Lord.</I> Magistrates must look
|
|
upon themselves as set apart for God, to be his ministers, and must
|
|
rule accordingly in the fear of God. Zadok also was anointed to be
|
|
priest in the room of Abiathar, who had lately forfeited his honour.
|
|
Happy art thou, O Israel! under such a prince and such a pontiff.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ch29_30"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solomon Magnified.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> as king instead
|
|
of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
|
|
24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons
|
|
likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the
|
|
king.
|
|
25 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of
|
|
all Israel, and bestowed upon him <I>such</I> royal majesty as had not
|
|
been on any king before him in Israel.
|
|
26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
|
|
27 And the time that he reigned over Israel <I>was</I> forty years;
|
|
seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three <I>years</I>
|
|
reigned he in Jerusalem.
|
|
28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and
|
|
honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.
|
|
29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they
|
|
<I>are</I> written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of
|
|
Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
|
|
30 With all his reign and his might, and the times that went
|
|
over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the
|
|
countries.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
These verses bring king Solomon to his throne and king David to his
|
|
grave. Thus the rising generation thrusts out that which went before,
|
|
and says, "Make room for us." Every one has his day.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is Solomon rising
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord.</I> Not his throne which he
|
|
prepared in the heavens, but the throne of Israel is called <I>the
|
|
throne of the Lord</I> because not only is he King of all nations, and
|
|
all kings rule under him, but he was in a peculiar manner King of
|
|
Israel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+12:12">1 Sam. xii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
He had the founding, he had the filling, of their throne, by immediate
|
|
direction. The municipal laws of their kingdom were divine. Urim and
|
|
prophets were the privy counsellors of their princes; therefore is
|
|
their throne called <I>the throne of the Lord.</I> Solomon's kingdom
|
|
typified the kingdom of the Messiah, and his is indeed <I>the throne of
|
|
the Lord;</I> for the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all
|
|
judgment to him; hence he calls him <I>his King,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:6">Ps. ii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Being set on the <I>throne of the Lord,</I> the throne to which God
|
|
called him, he prospered. Those that follow the divine guidance may
|
|
expect success by the divine blessing. Solomon prospered; for,
|
|
|
|
1. His people paid honour to him, as one to whom honour is due: <I>All
|
|
Israel obeyed him,</I> that is, were ready to swear allegiance to him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
the <I>princes and mighty men,</I> and even <I>the sons of David,</I>
|
|
though by seniority their title to the crown was prior to his, and they
|
|
might think themselves wronged by his advancement. God thought fit to
|
|
make him king, and made him fit to be so, and therefore they all
|
|
<I>submitted themselves to him.</I> God inclined their hearts to do so,
|
|
that his reign might, from the first, be peaceable. His father was a
|
|
better man than he, and yet came to the crown with much difficulty,
|
|
after long delay, and by many and slow steps. David had more faith, and
|
|
therefore had it more tried. <I>They submitted themselves</I> (Heb.
|
|
<I>They gave the hand under Solomon</I>), that is, bound themselves by
|
|
oath to be true to him (putting the hand under the thigh was a ceremony
|
|
anciently used in swearing); or they were so entirely devoted that they
|
|
would put their hand under his feet to serve him.
|
|
|
|
2. God put honour upon him; for those that honour him he will honour:
|
|
<I>The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
His very countenance and presence, I am apt to think, had something in
|
|
them very great and awful. All he said and all he did commanded
|
|
respect. None of all the judges or kings of Israel, his predecessors,
|
|
made such a figure as he did nor lived in such splendour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is David's setting, that great man going off the stage. The
|
|
historian here brings him to the end of his day, leaves him asleep, and
|
|
draws the curtains about him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He gives a summary account of the years of his reign,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:26,27"><I>v.</I> 26, 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
He reigned forty years, as did Moses, Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Eli,
|
|
Samuel, and Saul, who were before him, and Solomon after him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He gives a short account of his death
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
that he died <I>full of days, riches, and honour;</I> that is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Loaded with them. He was very old, and very rich, and very much
|
|
honoured both of God and man. He had been a man of war from his youth,
|
|
and, as such, had his soul continually in his hand; yet he was not cut
|
|
off in the midst of his days, but was preserved through all dangers of
|
|
a military life, lived to a good old age, and died in peace, died in
|
|
his bed, and yet in the bed of honour.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Satiated with them. He was <I>full of days, riches, and
|
|
honour;</I> that is, he had enough of this world and of the riches and
|
|
honours of it, and knew when he had enough, for he was very willing to
|
|
die and leave it, having said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:15">Ps. xlix. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>God shall receive me,</I> and
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+23:4">Ps. xxiii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou art with me.</I> A good man will soon be full of days, riches,
|
|
and honour, but will never be satisfied with them; no satisfaction but
|
|
in God's loving kindness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. For a fuller account of David's life and reign he refers to the
|
|
histories or records of those times, which were written by Samuel while
|
|
he lived, and continued, after his death, by Nathan and Gad,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>There</I> was related what was observable in his government at home
|
|
and his wars abroad, <I>the times,</I> that is, the events of <I>the
|
|
times, that went over him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:29,30"><I>v.</I> 29, 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
These registers were then in being, but are now lost. Note, Good use
|
|
may be made of those histories of the church which are authentic though
|
|
not sacred or of divine inspiration.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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