mh_parser/vol_split/13 - 1Chronicles/Chapter 22.xml

<div2 id="iCh.xxiii" n="xxiii" next="iCh.xxiv" prev="iCh.xxii" progress="77.56%" title="Chapter XXII">
<h2 id="iCh.xxiii-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.xxiii-p0.2">CHAP. XXII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.xxiii-p1">"Out of the eater comes forth meat." It was upon
occasion of the terrible judgment inflicted on Israel for the sin
of David that God gave intimation of the setting up of another
altar, and of the place where he would have the temple to be built,
upon which David was excited with great vigour to make preparation
for that great work, wherein, though he had long since designed it,
it should seem, he had, of late, grown remiss, till awakened by the
alarm of that judgment. The tokens of God's favour he received
after those of his displeasure, I. Directed him to the place,
<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.1" parsed="|1Chr|22|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II. Encouraged and
quickened him to the work. 1. He set himself to prepare for the
building, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.2-1Chr.22.5" parsed="|1Chr|22|2|22|5" passage="1Ch 22:2-5">ver. 2-5</scripRef>. 2. He
instructed Solomon, and gave him a charge concerning this work,
<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.6-1Chr.22.16" parsed="|1Chr|22|6|22|16" passage="1Ch 22:6-16">ver. 6-16</scripRef>. 3. He
commanded the princes to assist him in it, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.17-1Chr.22.19" parsed="|1Chr|22|17|22|19" passage="1Ch 22:17-19">ver. 17-19</scripRef>. There is a great deal of
difference between the frame of David's spirit in the beginning of
the former chapter and in the beginning of this. There, in the
pride of his heart, he was numbering the people; here, in his
humility, preparing for the service of God. There corruption was
uppermost (but the well of living water in the soul, though it may
be muddied, will work itself clear again); grace here has recovered
the upper hand.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxiii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22" parsed="|1Chr|22|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 22" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxiii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.1-1Chr.22.5" parsed="|1Chr|22|1|22|5" passage="1Ch 22:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.22.1-1Chr.22.5">
<h4 id="iCh.xxiii-p1.7">Preparations for the Temple. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1017.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxiii-p2">1 Then David said, This <i>is</i> the house of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p2.1">Lord</span> God, and this <i>is</i> the
altar of the burnt offering for Israel.   2 And David
commanded to gather together the strangers that <i>were</i> in the
land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build
the house of God.   3 And David prepared iron in abundance for
the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and
brass in abundance without weight;   4 Also cedar trees in
abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar
wood to David.   5 And David said, Solomon my son <i>is</i>
young and tender, and the house <i>that is</i> to be builded for
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p2.2">Lord</span> <i>must be</i> exceeding
magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will
<i>therefore</i> now make preparation for it. So David prepared
abundantly before his death.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p3">Here is, I. The place fixed for the
building of the temple (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.1" parsed="|1Chr|22|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>): <i>Then David said,</i> by inspiration of God, and
as a declaration of his mind, <i>This is the house of the Lord
God.</i> If a temple must be built for God, it is fit that it be
left to him to choose the ground, for all the earth is his; and
this is the ground he makes choice of-ground that pertained to a
Jebusite, and perhaps there was not a spot of ground besides, in or
about Jerusalem, that did so—a happy presage of the setting up of
the gospel temple among the Gentiles. See <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.16-Acts.15.17" parsed="|Acts|15|16|15|17" passage="Ac 15:16,17">Acts xv. 16, 17</scripRef>. The ground was a
threshing-floor; for the church of the living God is his floor, his
threshing, and <i>the corn of his floor,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.21.10" parsed="|Isa|21|10|0|0" passage="Isa 21:10">Isa. xxi. 10</scripRef>. Christ's fan is in his hand,
thoroughly to purge his floor. This is to be the house because this
is the altar. The temple was built for the sake of the altar. There
were altars long before there were temples.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p4">II. Preparation made for that building.
David must not build it, but he would do all he could towards it:
He <i>prepared abundantly before his death,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.5" parsed="|1Chr|22|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. This intimates that the
consideration of his age and growing infirmities, which showed him
his death approaching, quickened him, towards his latter end, to be
very diligent in making this preparation. What our hands find to do
for God, and our souls, and our generation, let us do it with all
our might before our death, because, after death, there is no
device nor working. Now we are here told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p5">1. What induced him to make such
preparation. Two things he considered:—(1.) That Solomon was
young and tender, and not likely to apply with any great vigour to
this business at first; so that, unless he found the wheels set
a-going, he would be in danger of losing a great deal of time at
first, the rather because, being young, he would be tempted to put
it off; whereas, if he found the materials got ready to his hand,
the most difficult part of the work would be over, and this would
excite and encourage him to go about it in the beginnings of his
reign. Note, Those that are aged and experienced should consider
those that are young and tender, and provide them what help they
can, that they may make the work of God as easy to them as
possible. (2.) That the house must be exceedingly magnificent, very
stately and sumptuous, strong and beautiful, every thing about it
the best in its kind, and for a good reason, since it was intended
for the honour of the great God, the Lord of the whole earth, and
was to be a type of Christ, in whom all fulness dwells and in whom
are hid all treasures. Men were then to be taught by sensible
methods. The grandeur of the house would help to affect the
worshippers with a holy awe and reverence of God, and would invite
strangers to come to see it, and the wonder of the world, who
thereby would be brought acquainted with the true God. Therefore it
is here designed to be of fame and glory throughout all countries.
David foretold this good effect of its being magnificent, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.68.29" parsed="|Ps|68|29|0|0" passage="Ps 68:29">Ps. lxviii. 29</scripRef> <i>Because of thy
temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p6">2. What preparation he made. In general, he
prepared abundantly, as we shall find afterwards; cedar and stones,
iron and brass, are here specified, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.2-1Chr.22.4" parsed="|1Chr|22|2|22|4" passage="1Ch 22:2-4"><i>v.</i> 2-4</scripRef>. Cedar he had from the
Tyrians and the Zidonians. <i>The daughter of Tyre shall be there
with a gift,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.45.12" parsed="|Ps|45|12|0|0" passage="Ps 45:12">Ps. xlv.
12</scripRef>. He also got workmen together, <i>the strangers that
were in the land of Israel.</i> Some think that he employed them
because they were generally better artists, and more ingenious in
manual operations, than the Israelites; or, rather, because he
would not employ the free-born Israelites in any thing that looked
mean and servile. They were delivered from the bondage of making
bricks in Egypt, and must not return to hew stone. These strangers
were proselytes to the Jewish religion, but, though not enslaved,
they were not of equal dignity with Israelites.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xxiii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.6-1Chr.22.16" parsed="|1Chr|22|6|22|16" passage="1Ch 22:6-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.22.6-1Chr.22.16">
<h4 id="iCh.xxiii-p6.4">The Charge to Solomon. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p6.5">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxiii-p7">6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and
charged him to build a house for the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.1">Lord</span> God of Israel.   7 And David said to
Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house unto
the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.2">Lord</span> my God:  
8 But the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.3">Lord</span> came to
me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great
wars: thou shalt not build a house unto my name, because thou hast
shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.   9 Behold, a son
shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give
him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be
Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his
days.   10 He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be
my son, and I <i>will be</i> his father; and I will establish the
throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.   11 Now, my son,
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.4">Lord</span> be with thee; and prosper
thou, and build the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.5">Lord</span> thy God, as he hath said of thee.   12
Only the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.6">Lord</span> give thee wisdom and
understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou
mayest keep the law of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.7">Lord</span> thy
God.   13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to
fulfil the statutes and judgments which the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.8">Lord</span> charged Moses with concerning Israel: be
strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.   14
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.9">Lord</span> a hundred thousand talents of
gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and
iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone
have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.   15 Moreover
<i>there are</i> workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers
of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner
of work.   16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the
iron, <i>there is</i> no number. Arise <i>therefore,</i> and be
doing, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p7.10">Lord</span> be with
thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p8">Though Solomon was young and tender, he was
capable of receiving instructions, which his father accordingly
gave him, concerning the work for which he was designed. When David
came to the throne he had many things to do, for the foundations
were all out of course; but Solomon had only one thing in charge,
and that was <i>to build a house for the Lord God of Israel,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.6" parsed="|1Chr|22|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p9">I. David tells him why he did not do it
himself. It was in his mind to do it (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.7" parsed="|1Chr|22|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), but God forbade him, because
<i>he had shed much blood,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.8" parsed="|1Chr|22|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Some think this refers to the
blood of Uriah, which fastened such a reproach upon him as rendered
him unworthy the honour of building the temple: but that honour was
forbidden him before he had shed that blood; therefore it must be
meant, as it is here explained, of the blood he shed in his wars
(for he had been a man of war from his youth), which, though shed
very justly and honourably in the service of God and Israel, yet
made him unfit to be employed in this service, or rather less fit
than another that had never been called to such bloody work. God,
by assigning this as the reason of laying David aside from this
work, showed how precious human life is to him, and intended a type
of him who should build the gospel temple, not by <i>destroying
men's lives,</i> but <i>by saving them,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.56" parsed="|Luke|9|56|0|0" passage="Lu 9:56">Luke ix. 56</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p10">II. He gives him the reason why he imposed
this task upon him. 1. Because God had designed him for it,
nominated him as the man that should do it: <i>A son shall be born
to thee,</i> that shall be called <i>Solomon,</i> and <i>he shall
build a house for my name,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.9-1Chr.22.10" parsed="|1Chr|22|9|22|10" passage="1Ch 22:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. Nothing is more powerful
to engage us to any service for God, and encourage us in it, than
to know that hereunto we are appointed. 2. Because he would have
leisure and opportunity to do it. He should be a man of rest, and
therefore should not have his time, or thoughts, or wealth,
diverted from this business. He should have rest from his enemies
abroad (none of them should invade or threaten him, or give him
provocation), and he should have peace and quietness at home; and
therefore let him build the house. Note, Where God gives rest he
expects work. 3. Because God had promised to establish his kingdom.
Let this encourage him to honour God, that God had honour in store
for him; let him build up God's house, and God will build up his
throne. Note, God's gracious promises should quicken and invigorate
our religious service.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p11">III. He delivers him an account of the vast
preparations he had made for this building (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.14" parsed="|1Chr|22|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), not in a way of pride and
vain glory (he speaks of it as a poor thing—<i>I have, in my
poverty, prepared,</i> margin), but as an encouragement to Solomon
to engage cheerfully in the work, for which so solid a foundation
was laid. The treasure here mentioned of the 100,000 talents of
gold, and 1,000,000 talents of silver, amounts to such an
incredible sum that most interpreters either allow an error in the
copy or think the talent here signifies no more than a plate or
piece: <i>ingots</i> we call them. I am inclined to suppose that a
certain number is here put for an uncertain, because it is said
(<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.16" parsed="|1Chr|22|16|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) that of the
gold and silver, as well as of the brass and iron, there was no
number, and that David here includes all the dedicated things
(<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.18.11" parsed="|1Chr|18|11|0|0" passage="1Ch 18:11"><i>ch.</i> xviii. 11</scripRef>)
which he designed <i>for the house of the Lord,</i> that is, not
only for the building of it, but for the treasure of it; and
putting all together, it might come pretty near what is here spoken
of. Hundreds and thousands are numbers which we often use to
express that which is very much, when yet we would not be
understood strictly.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p12">IV. He charges them to keep God's
commandments and to take heed to his duty in every thing, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.13" parsed="|1Chr|22|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. He must not think by
building the temple to purchase a dispensation to sin; no, on the
contrary, his doing that would not be accepted, nor accounted of,
if he did not <i>take heed to fulfil the statutes which the Lord
charged Moses with,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.13" parsed="|1Chr|22|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. Though he was to be king of Israel, he must always
remember that he was a subject to the God of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p13">V. He encourages him to go about this great
work, and to go on in it (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.13" parsed="|1Chr|22|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>): "<i>Be strong, and of good courage,</i> Though it
is a vast undertaking, thou needest not fear coming under the
reproach of the foolish builder, who began to build and was not
able to finish it; it is God's work, and it shall come to
perfection. <i>Dread not, nor be dismayed.</i>" In our spiritual
work, as well as in our spiritual warfare, we have need of courage
and resolution.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p14">VI. He quickens him not to rest in the
preparations he had made, but to add thereto, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.14" parsed="|1Chr|22|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Those that enter into the
labours of others, and build upon their advantages, must still be
improving.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p15">VII. He prays for him: <i>The Lord give
thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning
Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.12" parsed="|1Chr|22|12|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.
Whatever charge we have, if we see God giving us the charge and
calling us to it, we may hope he will give us wisdom for the
discharge of it. Perhaps Solomon had an eye to this prayer of his
father for him, in the prayer he offered for himself: Lord, <i>give
me a wise and understanding heart.</i> He concludes (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.16" parsed="|1Chr|22|16|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), <i>Up, and be doing,
and the Lord be with thee.</i> Hope of God's presence must not
slacken our endeavours. Though the Lord be with us, we must <i>rise
and be doing,</i> and, if we do this, we have reason to believe he
is and will be with us. Work out your salvation, and God will work
in you.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xxiii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.17-1Chr.22.19" parsed="|1Chr|22|17|22|19" passage="1Ch 22:17-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.22.17-1Chr.22.19">
<h4 id="iCh.xxiii-p15.4">The Charge to the Princes of
Israel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p15.5">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxiii-p16">17 David also commanded all the princes of
Israel to help Solomon his son, <i>saying,</i>   18 <i>Is</i>
not the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p16.1">Lord</span> your God with you? and
hath he <i>not</i> given you rest on every side? for he hath given
the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued
before the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p16.2">Lord</span>, and before his
people.   19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p16.3">Lord</span> your God; arise therefore, and
build ye the sanctuary of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p16.4">Lord</span>
God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p16.5">Lord</span>, and the holy vessels of God, into the
house that is to be built to the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiii-p16.6">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiii-p17">David here engages the princes of Israel to
assist Solomon in the great work he had to do, and every one to
lend him a hand towards the carrying of it on. Those that are in
the throne cannot do the good they would, unless those about the
throne set in with them. David would therefore have the princes to
advise Solomon and quicken him, and make the work as easy to him as
they could, by promoting it every one in his place. 1. He shows
them what obligations they lay under to be zealous in this matter,
in gratitude to God for the great things he had done for them. He
had given them victory, and rest, and a good land for an
inheritance, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.18" parsed="|1Chr|22|18|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>.
The more God has done for us the more we should study to do for
him. 2. He presses that upon them which should make them zealous in
it (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.19" parsed="|1Chr|22|19|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>): "<i>Set
your heart and soul to seek God,</i> place your happiness in his
favour, and keep your eye upon his glory. Seek him as your chief
good and highest end, and this <i>with your heart and soul.</i>
Make religion your choice and business; and then you will grudge no
pains nor cost to promote the building of his sanctuary." Let but
the heart be sincerely engaged for God, and the head and hand, the
estate and interest, and all will be cheerfully employed for
him.</p>
</div></div2>