mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 8.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.ix" n="ix" next="iiSam.x" prev="iiSam.viii" progress="42.69%" title="Chapter VIII">
<h2 id="iiSam.ix-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.ix-p0.2">CHAP. VIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.ix-p1">David having sought first the kingdom of God and
the righteousness thereof, settling the ark as soon as he was
himself well settled, we are here told how all other things were
added to him. Here is an account, I. Of his conquests. He
triumphed, 1. Over the Philistines, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.1" parsed="|2Sam|8|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. 2. Over the Moabites, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.2" parsed="|2Sam|8|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:2">ver. 2</scripRef>. 3. Over the king of Zobah,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.3-2Sam.8.4" parsed="|2Sam|8|3|8|4" passage="2Sa 8:3,4">ver. 3, 4</scripRef>. 4. Over the
Syrians, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.5-2Sam.8.8 Bible:2Sam.8.13" parsed="|2Sam|8|5|8|8;|2Sam|8|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:5-8,13">ver. 5-8, 13</scripRef>.
5. Over the Edomites, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.14" parsed="|2Sam|8|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:14">ver.
14</scripRef>. II. Of the presents that were brought him and the
wealth he got from the nations he subdued, which he dedicated to
God, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.9-2Sam.8.12" parsed="|2Sam|8|9|8|12" passage="2Sa 8:9-12">ver. 9-12</scripRef>. III. Of
his court, the administration of his government (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.15" parsed="|2Sam|8|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:15">ver. 15</scripRef>), and his chief officers, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.16-2Sam.8.18" parsed="|2Sam|8|16|8|18" passage="2Sa 8:16-18">ver. 16-18</scripRef>. This gives us a
general idea of the prosperity of David's reign.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.ix-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8" parsed="|2Sam|8|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.ix-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.1-2Sam.8.8" parsed="|2Sam|8|1|8|8" passage="2Sa 8:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.8.1-2Sam.8.8">
<h4 id="iiSam.ix-p1.11">David's Conquests. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ix-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1042.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.ix-p2">1 And after this it came to pass, that David
smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took
Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.   2 And he
smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the
ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with
one full line to keep alive. And <i>so</i> the Moabites became
David's servants, <i>and</i> brought gifts.   3 David smote
also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to
recover his border at the river Euphrates.   4 And David took
from him a thousand <i>chariots,</i> and seven hundred horsemen,
and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot
<i>horses,</i> but reserved of them <i>for</i> a hundred chariots.
  5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer
king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand
men.   6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and
the Syrians became servants to David, <i>and</i> brought gifts. And
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ix-p2.1">Lord</span> preserved David
whithersoever he went.   7 And David took the shields of gold
that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to
Jerusalem.   8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of
Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p3">God had given David rest from all his
enemies that opposed him and made head against him; and he having
made a good use of that rest, has now commission given him to make
war upon them, and to act offensively for the avenging of Israel's
quarrels and the recovery of their rights; for as yet they were not
in full possession of that country to which by the promise of God
they were entitled.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p4">I. He quite subdued the Philistines,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.1" parsed="|2Sam|8|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. They had
attacked him when they thought him weak (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.17" parsed="|2Sam|5|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:17"><i>ch.</i> v. 17</scripRef>), and went by the worst
then; but, when he found himself strong, he attacked them, and made
himself master of their country. They had long been vexatious and
oppressive to Israel. Saul got no ground against them; but David
completed Israel's deliverance out of their hands, which Samson had
begun long before, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.5" parsed="|Judg|13|5|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:5">Judg. xiii.
5</scripRef>. <i>Metheg-ammah</i> was <i>Gath</i> (the chief and
royal city of the Philistines) and the towns belonging to it, among
which there was a constant garrison kept by the Philistines on the
hill Ammah (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.2.24" parsed="|2Sam|2|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 2:24">2 Sam. ii. 24</scripRef>),
which was <i>Metheg,</i> a <i>bridle</i> (so it signifies) or
<i>curb</i> upon the people of Israel; this David took out of their
hand and used it as a curb upon them. Thus, when the strong man is
disarmed, the armour wherein he trusted is taken from him, and used
against him, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.11.22" parsed="|Luke|11|22|0|0" passage="Lu 11:22">Luke xi. 22</scripRef>.
And after the long and frequent struggles which the saints have had
with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the
Son of David shall tread them all under their feet and make the
saints more than conquerors.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p5">II. He smote the Moabites, and made them
tributaries to Israel, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.2" parsed="|2Sam|8|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. He divided the country into three parts, two of which
he destroyed, casting down the strong-holds, and putting all to the
sword; the third part he spared, to till the ground and be servants
to Israel. Dr. Lightfoot says, "He laid them on the ground and
measured them with a cord, who should be slain and who should
live;" and this is called <i>meting out the valley of Succoth,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.60.6" parsed="|Ps|60|6|0|0" passage="Ps 60:6">Ps. lx. 6</scripRef>. The Jews say he
used this severity with the Moabites because they had slain his
parents and brethren, whom he put under the protection of the king
of Moab during his exile, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.22.3-1Sam.22.4" parsed="|1Sam|22|3|22|4" passage="1Sa 22:3,4">1 Sam.
xxii. 3, 4</scripRef>. He did it in justice, because they had been
dangerous enemies to the Israel of God; and in policy, because, if
left in their strength, they still would have been so. But observe,
Though it was necessary that two-thirds should be cut off, yet the
line that was to keep alive, though it was but one, is ordered to
be a full line. Be sure to give that length enough; let the line of
mercy be stretched to the utmost <i>in favorem vitæ—so as to
favour life.</i> Acts of indemnity must be construed so as to
enlarge the favour. Now Balaam's prophecy was fulfilled, <i>A
sceptre shall arise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of
Moab,</i> to the utmost of which the fatal line extended, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.24.17" parsed="|Num|24|17|0|0" passage="Nu 24:17">Num. xxiv. 17</scripRef>. The Moabites continued
tributaries to Israel till after the death of Ahab, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.3.4-2Kgs.3.5" parsed="|2Kgs|3|4|3|5" passage="2Ki 3:4,5">2 Kings iii. 4, 5</scripRef>. Then they
rebelled and were never reduced.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p6">III. He smote the Syrians or Aramites. Of
them there were two distinct kingdoms, as we find them spoken of in
the title of the <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.60.1-Ps.60.12" parsed="|Ps|60|1|60|12" passage="Ps 60:1-12">60th
Psalm</scripRef>: <i>Aram Naharaim,—Syria of the rivers,</i> whose
head city was Damascus (famed for its rivers, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.5.12" parsed="|2Kgs|5|12|0|0" passage="2Ki 5:12">2 Kings v. 12</scripRef>), and <i>Aram Zobah,</i> which
joined to it, but extended to Euphrates. These were the two
northern crowns. 1. David began with the Syrians of Zobah,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.3-2Sam.8.4" parsed="|2Sam|8|3|8|4" passage="2Sa 8:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. As he went
to settle his border at the river Euphrates (for so far the land
conveyed by the divine grant to Abraham and his seed did extend,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.15.18" parsed="|Gen|15|18|0|0" passage="Ge 15:18">Gen. xv. 18</scripRef>), the king of
Zobah opposed him, being himself possessed of those countries which
belonged to Israel; but David routed his forces, and took his
chariots and horsemen. The horsemen are here said to be 700, but
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.18.4" parsed="|1Chr|18|4|0|0" passage="1Ch 18:4">1 Chron. xviii. 4</scripRef> they are
said to be 7000. If they divided their horse by ten in a company,
as it is probable they did, the captains and companies were 700,
but the horsemen were 7000. David houghed the horses, cut the
sinews of their hams, and so lamed them, and made them
unserviceable, at least in war, God having forbidden them to
<i>multiply horses,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.16" parsed="|Deut|17|16|0|0" passage="De 17:16">Deut. xvii.
16</scripRef>. David reserved only 100 chariots out of 1000 for his
own use: for he placed his strength not in chariots nor horses, but
in the living God (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.7" parsed="|Ps|20|7|0|0" passage="Ps 20:7">Ps. xx.
7</scripRef>), and wrote it from his own observation that a
<i>horse is a vain thing for safety,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.33.16-Ps.33.17" parsed="|Ps|33|16|33|17" passage="Ps 33:16,17">Ps. xxxiii. 16, 17</scripRef>. 2. The Syrians of
Damascus coming in to the relief of the king of Zobah fell with
him. 22,000 were slain in the field, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.5" parsed="|2Sam|8|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. So that it was easy for David to
make himself master of the country, and garrison it for himself,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.10" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.6" parsed="|2Sam|8|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. The enemies of
God's church, that think to secure themselves, will prove, in the
end, to ruin themselves, by their confederacies with each other.
<i>Associate yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p6.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.8.9" parsed="|Isa|8|9|0|0" passage="Isa 8:9">Isa. viii. 9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p7">IV. In all these wars, 1. David was
protected: <i>The Lord preserved him whithersoever he went.</i> It
seems, he went in person, and, in the cause of God and Israel,
jeoparded his own life in the high places of the field; but God
covered his head in the day of battle, which he often speaks of, in
his psalms, to the glory of God. 2. He was enriched. He took the
shields of gold which the servants of Hadadezer had in their
custody (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.7" parsed="|2Sam|8|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>) and
much brass from several cities of Syria (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.8" parsed="|2Sam|8|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), which he was entitled to, not
only <i>jure belli—by the uncontrollable right of the longest
sword</i> ("Get it, and take it"); but by commission from heaven,
and the ancient entail of these countries on the seed of
Abraham.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.ix-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.9-2Sam.8.14" parsed="|2Sam|8|9|8|14" passage="2Sa 8:9-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.8.9-2Sam.8.14">
<h4 id="iiSam.ix-p7.4">David Conquers Edom. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ix-p7.5">b. c.</span> 1042.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.ix-p8">9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had
smitten all the host of Hadadezer,   10 Then Toi sent Joram
his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because
he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had
wars with Toi. And <i>Joram</i> brought with him vessels of silver,
and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:   11 Which also
king David did dedicate unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ix-p8.1">Lord</span>, with the silver and gold that he had
dedicated of all nations which he subdued;   12 Of Syria, and
of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and
of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of
Zobah.   13 And David gat <i>him</i> a name when he returned
from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, <i>being</i>
eighteen thousand <i>men.</i>   14 And he put garrisons in
Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom
became David's servants. And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ix-p8.2">Lord</span> preserved David whithersoever he went.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p9">Here is, 1. The court made to David by the
king of Hamath, who, it seems was at this time at war with the king
of Zobah. He hearing of David's success against his enemy, sent his
own son ambassador to him (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.9-2Sam.8.10" parsed="|2Sam|8|9|8|10" passage="2Sa 8:9,10"><i>v.</i>
9, 10</scripRef>), to congratulate him on his victory, to return
him thanks for the favour he had done him in breaking the power of
one he was in fear of, and to beg his friendship. Thus he not only
secured but strengthened himself. And David lost nothing by taking
this little prince under his protection, any more than the old
Romans did by the like policy; for the wealth he had from the
countries he conquered by way of spoil he had from this by way of
present or gratuity: <i>Vessels of silver and gold.</i> Better get
by composition than by compulsion. 2. The offering David made to
God of the spoils of the nations and all the rich things that were
brought him. He dedicated all to the Lord, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.11-2Sam.8.12" parsed="|2Sam|8|11|8|12" passage="2Sa 8:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>. This crowned all his
victories, and made them far to out-shine Alexander's or Caesar's,
that they sought their own glory, but he aimed at the glory of God.
All the precious things he was master of were dedicated things,
that is, they were designed for the building of the temple; and a
good omen it was of kindness to the Gentiles in the fulness of
time, and of the making of God's house a house of prayer for all
people, that the temple was built of the spoils and presents of
Gentile nations, in allusion to which we find <i>the kings of the
earth</i> bringing <i>their glory and honour into the new
Jerusalem,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.21.24" parsed="|Rev|21|24|0|0" passage="Re 21:24">Rev. xxi.
24</scripRef>. Their gods of gold David burnt (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.21" parsed="|2Sam|5|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:21">2 Sam. v. 21</scripRef>), but their vessels of gold he
dedicated. Thus in the conquest of a soul, by the grace of the Son
of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every
lust mortified and crucified, but what may glorify him must be
dedicated and the property of it altered. Even the merchandise and
the hire must be <i>holiness to the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.23.18" parsed="|Isa|23|18|0|0" passage="Isa 23:18">Isa. xxiii. 18</scripRef>), the gain <i>consecrated to
the Lord of the whole earth</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Mic.4.13" parsed="|Mic|4|13|0|0" passage="Mic 4:13">Mic.
iv. 13</scripRef>), and then it is truly our own and that most
comfortably. 3. The reputation he got, in a particular manner, by
his victory over the Syrians and their allies the Edomites, who
acted in conjunction with them, as appears by comparing the title
of the 60th Psalm, which was penned on this occasion, with
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.13" parsed="|2Sam|8|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. <i>He got
himself a name</i> for all that conduct and courage which are the
praise of a great and distinguished general. Something
extraordinary, it is likely, there was in that action, which turned
very much to his honour, yet he is careful to transfer the honour
to God, as appears by the psalm he penned on this occasion,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.12" parsed="|2Sam|8|12|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. It is through
God that we do valiantly. 4. His success against the Edomites. They
all became David's servants, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.14" parsed="|2Sam|8|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. Now, and not till now, Isaac's blessing was
accomplished, by which Jacob was made Esau's Lord (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:Gen.27.37-Gen.27.40" parsed="|Gen|27|37|27|40" passage="Ge 27:37-40">Gen. xxvii. 37-40</scripRef>) and the
Edomites continued long tributary to the kings of Judah, as the
Moabites were to the kings of Israel, till, in Joram's time, they
revolted (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.11" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.8" parsed="|2Chr|21|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:8">2 Chron. xxi. 8</scripRef>)
as Isaac had there foretold that Esau should, in process of time,
break the yoke from off his neck. Thus David by his conquests, (1.)
Secured peace to his son, that he might have time to build the
temple. And, (2.) Procured wealth for his son, that he might have
wherewith to build it. God employs his servants variously, some in
one employment, others in another, some in the spiritual battles,
others in the spiritual buildings; and one prepares work for the
other, that God may have the glory of all. All David's victories
were typical of the success of the gospel against the kingdom of
Satan, in which the Son of David rode forth, conquering and to
conquer, and he shall reign till he has brought down all opposing
rule, principality, and power: and he has, as David had (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p9.12" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.2" parsed="|2Sam|8|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), a line to kill and a
line to save; for the same gospel is to some a savour of life unto
life, to others a savour of death unto death.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.ix-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.15-2Sam.8.18" parsed="|2Sam|8|15|8|18" passage="2Sa 8:15-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.8.15-2Sam.8.18">
<h4 id="iiSam.ix-p9.14">David's Administration of the Government of
Israel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ix-p9.15">b. c.</span> 1042.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.ix-p10">15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David
executed judgment and justice unto all his people.   16 And
Joab the son of Zeruiah <i>was</i> over the host; and Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud <i>was</i> recorder;   17 And Zadok the son
of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, <i>were</i> the
priests; and Seraiah <i>was</i> the scribe;   18 And Benaiah
the son of Jehoiada <i>was over</i> both the Cherethites and the
Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p11">David was not so engaged in his wars abroad
as to neglect the administration of the government at home.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p12">I. His care extended itself to all the
parts of his dominion: <i>He reigned over all Israel</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.15" parsed="|2Sam|8|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>); not only he had a
right to reign over all the tribes, but he did so; they were all
safe under his protection, and shared in the fruits of his good
government.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p13">II. He did justice with an unbiased
unshaken hand: <i>He executed judgment unto all his people,</i>
neither did wrong nor denied or delayed right to any. This
intimates, 1. His industry and close application to business, his
easiness of access and readiness to admit all addresses and appeals
made to him. All his people, even the meanest, and those too of the
meanest tribes, were welcome to his council-board. 2. His
impartiality and the equity of his proceedings, in administering
justice. He never perverted justice through favour or affection,
nor had respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of
Christ, who was faithful and true, and who doth <i>in righteousness
both judge and make war,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.19.11" parsed="|Rev|19|11|0|0" passage="Re 19:11">Rev. xix.
11</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.1-Ps.72.2" parsed="|Ps|72|1|72|2" passage="Ps 72:1,2">Ps. lxxii. 1,
2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ix-p14">III. He kept good order and good officers
in his court. David being the first king that had an established
government (for Saul's reign was short and unsettled) he had the
modelling of the administration. In Saul's time we read of no other
great officer than Abner, that was captain of the host. But David
appointed more officers: Joab that was general of the forces in the
field, and Banaiah that was over the Cherethites and Pelethites,
who were either the city train-bands (<i>archers and slingers,</i>
so the Chaldee), or rather the life-guards, or standing force, that
attended the king's person, the pretorian band, the militia. They
were ready to do service at home, to assist in the administering of
justice, and to preserve the public peace. We find them employed in
proclaiming Solomon, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.38" parsed="|1Kgs|1|38|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:38">1 Kings i.
38</scripRef>. 2. Two ecclesiastical officers: <i>Zadok and
Ahimelech were priests,</i> that is, they were most employed in the
priests' work under Abiathar, the high priest. 3. Two civil
officers: one that was recorder, or remembrancer, to put the king
in mind of business in its season (he was prime minister of state,
yet not entrusted with the custody of the king's conscience, as
they say of our lord chancellor, but only of the king's memory; let
the king be put in mind of business and he would do it himself);
another that was scribe, or secretary of state, that drew up public
orders and despatches, and recorded judgments given. 4. David's
sons, as they grew up to be fit for business, were made chief
rulers; they had places of honour and trust assigned them, in the
household, or in the camp, or in the courts of justice, according
as their genius led them. They were chief about the king (so it is
explained, <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.18.17" parsed="|1Chr|18|17|0|0" passage="1Ch 18:17">1 Chron. xviii.
17</scripRef>), employed near him, that they might be under his
eye. Our Lord Jesus has appointed officers in his kingdom, for his
honour and the good of the community; when he ascended on high
<i>he gave these gifts</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.8-Eph.4.11" parsed="|Eph|4|8|4|11" passage="Eph 4:8-11">Eph. iv.
8-11</scripRef>), <i>to every man his work,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.34" parsed="|Mark|13|34|0|0" passage="Mk 13:34">Mark xiii. 34</scripRef>. David made his sons chief
rulers; but all believers, Christ's spiritual seed, are better
preferred, for they are <i>made to our God kings and priests,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.ix-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.6" parsed="|Rev|1|6|0|0" passage="Re 1:6">Rev. i. 6</scripRef>.</p>
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