I
C H R O N I C L E S
CHAP. XXIX.
David
has said what he had to say to Solomon. But he had something more to say to
the congregation before he parted with them. I. He pressed them to contribute,
according to their ability, towards the building and furnishing of the temple,
ver. 1-5. II. They made their presents accordingly with great generosity, ver.
6-9. III. David offered up solemn prayers and praises to God upon that
occasion (ver. 10-20), with sacrifices, ver. 21, 22. IV. Solomon was hereupon
enthroned, with great joy and magnificence, ver. 23-25. V. David, soon after
this finished his course, ver. 26-30. And it is hard to say which shines
brighter here, the setting sun or the rising sun.
|
Presents
for the Temple.
|
B.
C. 1015.
|
|
|
1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the
congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young
and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for
man, but for the LORD
God. 2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my
God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things
of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things
of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to
be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious
stones, and marble stones in abundance. 3 Moreover, because I have
set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of
gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and
above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 4 Even
three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand
talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of
silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of
artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day
unto the LORD?
6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the
captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work,
offered willingly, 7 And gave for the service of the house of God
of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten
thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred
thousand talents of iron. 8 And they with whom precious
stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD,
by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced,
for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered
willingly to the LORD:
and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
We may here observe,
I. How handsomely David spoke to the great men of Israel, to engage them to
contribute towards the building of the temple. It is our duty to provoke
one another to love and to good works, not only to do good ourselves, but
to draw in others to do good too as much as we can. There were many very rich
men in Israel; they were all to share in the benefit of the temple, and of
those peaceable days which were to befriend the building of it; and therefore,
though David would not impose on them, as a tax, what they should give towards
it, he would recommend the present as a fair occasion for a free-will
offering, because what is done in works of piety and charity should be done
willingly and not by constraint; for God loves a cheerful giver. 1. He would
have them consider that Solomon was young and tender, and needed help; but
that he was the person whom God had chosen to do this work, and therefore was
well worthy their assistance. It is good service to encourage those in the
work of God that are as yet young and tender. 2. That the world was great, and
all hands should contribute to the carrying of it on. The palace to be built
was not for man, but for the Lord God; and the more was contributed towards
the building the more magnificent it would be, and therefore the better would
it answer the intention. 3. He tells them what great preparations had been
made for this work. He did not intend to throw all the burden upon them, nor
that it should be built wholly by contributions, but that they should show
their good will, by adding to what was done (v. 2): I have prepared
with all my might, that is, "I have made it my business." Work
for God must be done with all our might, or we shall bring nothing to pass in
it. 4. He sets them a good example. Besides what was dedicated to this service
out of the spoils and presents of the neighbouring nations, which was for the
building of the house (of which before, ch. xxii. 14), he had, out of
his own share, offered largely for the beautifying and enriching of it, 3000
talents of gold and 7000 talents of silver (v. 4, 5), and this because
he had set his affection on the house of his God. He gave all this, not as
Papists build churches, in commutation of penance, or to make atonement for
sin, nor as Pharisees give alms, to be seen of men; but purely because he
loved the habitation of God's house; so he professed (Ps. xxvi. 8) and here he
proved it. Those who set their affection upon the service of God will think no
pains nor cost too much to bestow upon it; and then our offerings are pleasing
to God when they come from love. Those that set their affection on things
above will set their affection on the house of God, through which our way to
heaven lies. Now this he gives them an account of, to stir them up to do
likewise. Note, Those who would draw others to do that which is good must
themselves lead. Those especially who are advanced above others in place and
dignity should particularly contrive how to make their light shine before men,
because the influence of their example is more powerful and extensive than
that of other people. 5. He stirs them up to do as he had done (v. 5): And
who then is willing to concentrate his service this day unto the Lord?
(1.) We must each of us, in our several places, serve the Lord, and consecrate
our service to him, separate it from other things that are foreign and
interfere with it, and direct and design it for the honour and glory of God.
(2.) We must make the service of God our business, must fill our hands to
the Lord, so the Hebrew phrase is. Those who engage themselves in the
service of God will have their hands full; there is work enough for the whole
man in that service. The filling of our hands with the service of God
intimates that we must serve him only, serve him liberally, and serve him in
the strength of grace derived from him. (3.) We must be free herein, do it
willingly and speedily, do it this day, when we are in a good mind. Who is
willing? Now let him show it.
II. How handsomely they all contributed towards the building of the temple
when they were thus stirred up to it. Though they were persuaded to it, yet it
is said, They offered willingly, v. 6. So he said who knew their
hearts. Nay, they offered with a perfect heart, from a good principle
and with a sincere respect to the glory of God, v. 9. How generous they
were appears by the sum total of the contributions, v. 7, 8. They gave
like themselves, like princes, like princes of Israel. And a pleasant day's
work it was; for, 1. The people rejoiced, which may be meant of the
people themselves that offered: they were glad of the opportunity of honouring
God thus with their substance, and glad of the prospect of bringing this good
work to perfection. Or the common people rejoiced in the generosity of their
princes, that they had such rulers over them as were forward to this good
work. Every Israelite is glad to see temple work carried on with vigour. 2. David
rejoiced with great joy to see the good effects of his psalms and the
other helps of devotion he had furnished them with, rejoiced that his son and
successor would have those about him that were so well affected to the house
of God, and that this work, upon which his heart was so much set, was likely
to go on. Note, It is a great reviving to good men, when they are leaving the
world, to see those they leave behind zealous for religion and likely to keep
it up. Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace.
|
David's
Prayer to God; Sacrifices Offered.
|
B.
C. 1015.
|
|
|
10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD
before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD
God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD,
is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and
the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD,
and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come
of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and
might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto
all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy
glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my
people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all
things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all
our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is
none abiding. 16 O LORD
our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thine
holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.
17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in
uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly
offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are
present here, to offer willingly unto thee. 18 O LORD
God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the
imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their
heart unto thee: 19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart,
to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these
things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made
provision. 20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless
the LORD
your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and
bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.
21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD,
and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD,
on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand
rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices
in abundance for all Israel: 22 And did eat and drink before the LORD
on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king
the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD
to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.
We have here,
I. The solemn address which David made to God upon occasion of the noble
subscriptions of the princes towards the building of the temple (v.
10): Wherefore David blessed the Lord, not only alone in his closet,
but before all the congregation. This I expected when we read (v.
9) that David rejoiced with great joy; for such a devout man as he
would no doubt make that the matter of his thanksgiving which was so much the
matter of his rejoicing. He that looked round with comfort would certainly
look up with praise. David was now old and looked upon himself as near his
end; and it well becomes aged saints, and dying saints, to have their hearts
much enlarged in praise and thanksgiving. This will silence their complaints
of their bodily infirmities, and help to make the prospect of death itself
less gloomy. David's psalms, toward the latter end of the book, are most of
them psalms of praise. The nearer we come to the world of everlasting praise
the more we should speak the language and do the work of that world. In this
address,
1. He adores God, and ascribes glory to him as the God of Israel, blessed
for ever and ever. Our Lord's prayer ends with a doxology much like this
which David here begins with--for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the
glory. This is properly praising God--with holy awe and reverence, and
agreeable affection, acknowledging, (1.) His infinite perfections; not only
that he is great, powerful, glorious, &c., but that his is the greatness,
power, and glory, that is, he has them in and of himself, v. 11. He is
the fountain and centre of every thing that is bright and blessed. All that we
can, in our most exalted praises, attribute to him he has an unquestionable
title to. His is the greatness; his greatness is immense and
incomprehensible; and all others are little, are nothing, in comparison of
him. His is the power, and it is almighty and irresistible; power
belongs to him, and all the power of all the creatures is derived from him and
depends upon him. His is the glory; for his glory is his own end and
the end of the whole creation. All the glory we can give him with our hearts,
lips, and lives, comes infinitely short of what is his due. His is the victory;
he transcends and surpasses all, and is able to conquer and subdue all things
to himself; and his victories are incontestable and uncontrollable. And his is
the majesty, real and personal; with him is terrible majesty,
inexpressible and inconceivable. (2.) His sovereign dominion, as rightful
owner and possessor of all: "All that is in the heaven, and in the
earth, is thine, and at thy disposal, by the indisputable right of
creation, and as supreme ruler and commander of all: thine is the kingdom,
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 God
of Israel our father, v. 10. Ps. lxviii. 35.
2. He acknowledges with thankfulness the grace of God enabling them to
contribute so cheerfully towards the building of the temple (v. 13,
14): Now therefore, our God, we thank thee. 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. Does he
therefore thank that servant? Luke xvii. 9. No: but that servant has a
great deal of reason to thank him. He thanks God that they were able to
offer so willingly. 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 both
to will and to do; and it is in the day of his power that his people are
made willing, Ps. cx. 3. (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.
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 (v. 14): Who am I, and what is my people?
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: Who am I, O
Lord? for (v. 15) we are strangers before thee, and sojourners,
poor despicable creatures. Angels in heaven are at home there; saints on earth
are but strangers here: Our days on the earth are as a shadow. 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 days on the earth are as a
shadow, 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: There is no abiding,
Heb. no expectation. 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, Lord,
says he, of thy own have we given thee (v. 14), and again (v.
16), It cometh of thy hand, and is all thy own. "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." Let him that glories
therefore glory in the Lord.
4. He appeals to God concerning his own sincerity in what he did, v.
17. It is a great satisfaction to a good man to think that God tries the
heart and has pleasure in uprightness, that, whoever may
misinterpret or contemn it, he is acquainted with and approves of the way
of the righteous. 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.
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 the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, 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 (v. 18) 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;" establish
their hearts, so the margin. "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 (v. 19), Give him a perfect heart. He
had charged him (ch. xxviii. 9) to serve God with a perfect heart;
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, give him a perfect heart, not only in general to keep
thy commandments, but in particular to build the palace, 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.
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 (Now bless the Lord your
God, v. 20), which accordingly they did, by bowing down their
heads, a gesture of adoration. Whoever is the mouth of the congregation,
those only have the benefit who join with him, not by bowing down the head
so much as by lifting up the soul. 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 (v. 21), 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, v. 22. 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 anointed him to the Lord.
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.
|
Solomon Magnified.
|
B.
C. 1015.
|
|
|
23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD
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 LORD
magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon
him such 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 was
forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years
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 are
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.
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.
I. Here is Solomon rising (v. 23): Solomon sat on the throne of the
Lord. Not his throne which he prepared in the heavens, but the throne of
Israel is called the throne of the Lord 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, 1 Sam. xii. 12. 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 the throne of the Lord. Solomon's
kingdom typified the kingdom of the Messiah, and his is indeed the throne
of the Lord; for the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all
judgment to him; hence he calls him his King, Ps. ii. 6. Being set on
the throne of the Lord, 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: All Israel obeyed him, that is, were ready
to swear allegiance to him (v. 23), the princes and mighty men,
and even the sons of David, 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 submitted themselves to him. 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. They submitted themselves (Heb.
They gave the hand under Solomon), 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: The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly, v.
25. 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.
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.
1. He gives a summary account of the years of his reign, v. 26, 27. He
reigned forty years, as did Moses, Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Eli, Samuel, and
Saul, who were before him, and Solomon after him.
2. He gives a short account of his death (v. 28), that he died full
of days, riches, and honour; 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 full
of days, riches, and honour; 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 (Ps. xlix. 15), God shall receive
me, and (Ps. xxiii. 4), Thou art with me. 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.
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, v. 29. There was
related what was observable in his government at home and his wars abroad, the
times, that is, the events of the times, that went over him, v.
29, 30. 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.
Contents
|
Next Section
