1 Chronicles · Chapter 22

V. 1. Said-Thro’ the instinct and direction of God’s spirit, by which as he is said to have had the pattern of the house, porch, altar, &c. 1 Chronicles 28:11,12,19, so doubtless he was instructed as to the place where the house should be built. This-This is the place appointed by God for the building of his temple and altar.

Verse 1. David said, This is the house of the Lord] Till a temple is built for his name, this place shall be considered the temple of God; and on this altar, and not on that at Gibeon, shall the burnt-offerings of Israel be made. David probably thought that this was the place on which God designed that his house should be built; and perhaps it was this that induced him to buy, not only the threshing-floor, but probably some adjacent ground also, as Calmet supposes, that there might be sufficient room for such a building.

Verse 1. Then David said — Through the instinct and direction of God’s Spirit, by which as he is said to have had the pattern of the house, porch, altar, &c., (1 Chronicles 28:11, 12-19,) so doubtless he was instructed as to the place where the house should be built. This is the house, &c. — This is the place appointed by God for the building of his temple and altar.

1. Then David said — See note on the last verse of the preceding chapter.

Verse 2. The strangers that were in the land] Those who had become proselytes to the Jewish religion, at least so far as to renounce idolatry, and keep what were called the seven Noahic precepts. These were to be employed in the more servile and difficult parts of the work: see on 1 Kings 9:21. For the account of building the temple, see 1 Kings 5-9, and the notes there.

Verses 2, 3. To gather the strangers that were in the land of Israel — The same persons whom Solomon afterward employed in the same work; of which see 1 Kings 5:15, and 9:20, 21. He set masons to hew wrought stones — Wherein he could not do much, being prevented by death; but Solomon carried on and perfected what David had begun. For the joinings — To be used, together with melted lead, for the joining of those great and square stones together.

2. David commanded to gather together the strangers — These strangers were the descendants of the old Canaanitish population of the land, whom the Israelites had not been able to expel. Comp. 1 Kings 9:21, and 2 Chronicles 2:17. Having settled on the site of Jehovah’s house, the king was stimulated to make, in his last days, all possible preparations for the building of the same. Masons to hew wrought stones — Or, stonecutters to cut hewn stones. Compare 1 Kings 5:15, 17.

Verse 3. Irons-for the nails, &c.] Iron for bolts, bars, hinges, &c., &c.

Verses 2, 3. To gather the strangers that were in the land of Israel — The same persons whom Solomon afterward employed in the same work; of which see 1 Kings 5:15, and 9:20, 21. He set masons to hew wrought stones — Wherein he could not do much, being prevented by death; but Solomon carried on and perfected what David had begun. For the joinings — To be used, together with melted lead, for the joining of those great and square stones together.

3. Nails for the doors of the gates — “That is, for the folding doors of the gates; partly for the pivots on which the folding doors turned, partly to strengthen the boards of which the doors were made.” — Keil. For the joinings — For cramps, or iron holders to fasten and hold beams and stones together. Without weight — The bulk and amount was so great as not to be easily weighed. As we sometimes familiarly say, “There was no weighing it.”

4. Cedar trees… Zidonians — See note on 1 Kings 15:6.

V. 5. Prepared, &c.-And good reason, because it was intended for the honour of the great God, and was to be a type of Christ, in whom all fulness dwells, and in whom are hid all treasures.

Verse 5. So David prepared abundantly — And with good reason, because it was intended for the honour of the great God, and was to be a type of Christ, in whom all fulness dwells, and in whom are hid all treasures.

5. Young and tender — A youth of probably less than twenty years. See on 1 Kings 3:7. Exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory — Literally, the house to be builded to Jehovah is to be made great to an exceeding extent, for a name and for an ornament to all the lands. David had a most exalted and worthy conception of the grandeur and importance of the temple to be builded. Not only was it to be a most magnificent structure, but it was to magnify Jehovah’s name and praise among the nations. Thus the monarch of Israel breathed the spirit of later prophecies, which foreshadowed the spiritual glory of the Christian temple, and according to which “the mountain of the Lord’s house should be established in the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills; and all nations flow unto it.” Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1.

Verse 6. Solomon-is young and tender] He is as yet without complete knowledge and due experience; and it is necessary that I should make as much preparation for the work as I possibly can; especially as the house is to be exceedingly magnificent.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

7. It was in my mind to build — See at 1 Chronicles Samuel 7:1-17, and 1 Chronicles 17:1-15.

V. 8. Shed blood-Not that wars are simply unlawful, but to teach us that the church (whereof the temple was an illustrious type) should be built by Christ, the prince of peace, Isaiah 9:6, and that it should be gathered and built up, not by might or power but by God’s spirit, Zechariah 4:6, and by the preaching the Gospel of peace. David therefore was less fit for that service, than one who had not been called to such bloody work. Likewise by setting him aside for this reason, God shewed how precious human life is to him.

Verse 8. Thou hast shed blood abundantly] Heathens, Jews, and Christians, have all agreed that soldiers of any kind should have nothing to do with Divine offices. Shedding of human blood but ill comports with the benevolence of God or the spirit of the Gospel. Æneas, overpowered by his enemies, while fighting for his parents, his family, and his country, finding farther resistance hopeless, endeavours to carry off his aged father, his wife, young son, and his household gods; but as he was just come from slaughter, he would not even handle these objects of superstition, but confided them to his father, whom he took on his shoulders, and carried out of the burning of Troy. Tu, genitor, cape sacra manu, patriosque penates: Me bello tanto digressum, et caede recenti, Attrectare nefas; donec me flumine vivo

Abluero.

ÆN. ii., ver. 717.

“Our country gods, our relics, and the bands, Hold you, my father, in your guiltless hands: In me ‘tis impious holy things to bear,

Red as I am with slaughter, new from war; Till, in some living stream, I cleanse the guilt Of dire debate, and blood in battle spilt.” DRYDEN.

See the note at the end of 2 Samuel 7:25.

Verse 8. Thou hast shed blood, &c.; thou shalt not build a house unto my name — Not that wars are simply unlawful, but to teach us that the church (whereof the temple was an illustrious type) should be built by Christ, the Prince of peace, Isaiah 9:6, and that it should be gathered and built up, not by might or power, but by God’s Spirit, Zechariah 4:6, and by the preaching the gospel of peace. David therefore was less fit for that service, than one who had not been called to such bloody work. Likewise, by setting him aside for this reason, God showed how precious human life is to him.

8. The word of the Lord came to me — Probably by Nathan, but not at the time referred to in 1 Chronicles 17:3, and 2 Samuel 7:4. At that time Jehovah opened to David’s prophetic eye that Messianic future which ever after was his joy and song; but at another time he sent Nathan again to explain to him the reason, as here given, why he should not build the temple of Jehovah. Because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight — The wars of David were not carried on against God’s will. In many cases they were expressly ordered by Jehovah, and often called the “wars of the Lord.” In order to the establishment of Israel in Canaan wars and bloodshed were unavoidable. Nevertheless, the bloodshed and barbarity of war were not in harmony with the profound symbolism of peace, sabbatic quiet, and thoughtful repose, which were to be embodied in the house of Jehovah. Hence David’s unfitness to build the temple. Comp. 1 Kings 5:3.

Verse 9. His name shall be Solomon] hmlv Shelomoh, from שלם shalam, he was peaceable; and therefore, says the Lord, alluding to the name, I will give PEACE, שלום SHALOM, in his days.

9. His name shall be Solomon — See note on 2 Samuel 12:24, 25.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

V. 14. Trouble-This he alleges as a reason why he could do no more, because of the many wars, whereby much of his treasures were exhausted. Talents-A talent of Gold in the first constitution was three thousand shekels, as may be gathered from Exodus 38:24,25,26, and so this amounts to a vast sum, yet not impossible for David to get, considering how many and great conquests he made, and what vast spoils and presents he got; and that he endeavoured by all honourable ways to get as much as he could, out of zeal for God’s house. And whereas some object, that this quantity of gold and silver was sufficient, tho’ the whole fabrick of the temple had consisted of massy gold and silver, it is to be considered, that all this treasure was not spent upon the materials of the temple, but a great part of it upon the workmen, who were nigh two hundred thousand, whereof a great number were officers, and what was not employed in the building of the temple, was laid up in the sacred treasures.

Verse 14. In my trouble I have prepared] Notwithstanding ail the wars in which I have been engaged, all the treacheries with which I have been surrounded, all the domestic troubles with which I have been overwhelmed, I never lost sight of this great object, the building of a house for God, that his worship might be established in the land. I have curtailed my expenses, and have lived in comparative poverty that I might save all I possibly could for this building.

A hundred thousand talents of gold] A talent of gold weighed three thousand shekels, and was worth five thousand and seventy-five pounds, fifteen shillings, and seven pence half-penny. One hundred thousand such talents would therefore amount to five hundred and seven millions, five hundred and seventy-eight thousand, one hundred and twenty-five pounds sterling. These sums are variously computed by several writers. A thousand thousand talents of silver] A talent of silver weighed three thousand shekels, and was worth three hundred and fifty-three pounds, eleven shillings, and ten pence. A thousand thousand, or a million, of such talents would amount to the immense sum of three hundred and fifty-three millions, five hundred and ninety-one thousand, six hundred and sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence, sterling; both sums amounting to eight hundred and sixty-one millions, one hundred and sixty-nine thousand, seven hundred and ninety-one pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence. Thou mayest add thereto.] Save as I have saved, out of the revenues of the state, and thou mayest also add something for the erection and splendour of this house. This was a gentle though pointed hint, which was not lost on Solomon.

Verse 14. Behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord — This he alleges as a reason why he could do no more, because of the many troubles and wars in which he had been engaged, both foreign and domestic, whereby much of his treasure had been exhausted. A hundred thousand talents of gold, &c. — The sum here mentioned is so great, according to the usually computed value of a talent, being not less than three hundred and sixty millions sterling, that most interpreters conclude, either that some error has crept into the text through the inaccuracy of transcribers, or else that the word µyrkk, chicharim, should not be translated talents, in this place, but only masses, plates, or pieces, such as we call ingots, of gold and silver. And thus Budæus observes in his book De Asse, that in Homer’s time there was a talent of lesser value; for he speaks of two talents which were given with other things as a reward of a victory obtained in some exercises. Such talents he thinks we are to understand in this place; for David reigned about the time of the rise of the kingdom of the Assyrians, which was not very far from the time of Homer. Houbigant translates the former part of this verse, But I, according to my poor ability, have prepared a hundred talents of gold, and a thousand talents of silver. See Joseph. Antiq., 50.7, c. 14, sect. 2.

Verse 14. In my trouble, that is, in my state of weakness and wars, I have prepared a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver. David having been victorious over eight nations, must have collected an immense booty, and made his armies rich. We read of no princes, except Cræsus and Sardanapalus, who had any treasure like this. A talent of gold was three thousand shekels. But admitting that the shekel of the sanctuary was twice as heavy as the common shekel, the half of the above sum is very great. Josephus takes off nine tenths of this sum: he makes the gold ten thousand talents, and the silver one hundred thousand, which the critics estimate at sixty eight millions of our money! Josephus seems to be the true reading; the former sum almost exceeds credibility.

14. In my trouble I have prepared for the house — Margin, in my poverty. So also Septuagint and Vulgate. Bertheau and Keil, by my painful labour; that is, by great toil and effort on my part. The word thus variously rendered generally means affliction, distress; and such is, probably, the sense in which it should here be taken. David means to say that under varied circumstances of trouble, warfare, and distress, he had accumulated the treasures he here enumerates. A hundred thousand talents of gold — About $5,690,000,000. A thousand thousand talents of silver — About $1,660,000,000. These numbers are incredibly large, and unless the value of the talent in question was vastly less than that at which the Hebrew talent is commonly estimated, the statement of the text is probably extravagant. Bertheau thinks the writer merely meant to designate an extraordinary amount, and made a free use of numbers without any close estimate of the precise amount. Keil, however, thinks the numbers may not be exaggerated; but, reckoning the talent at half the usual standard, (“according to the king’s weight,” 2 Samuel 14:26,) and appealing to the enormous amounts of treasure often accumulated in ancient kingdoms, he concludes that the “shields of gold,” and other similar spoil which David captured in war, (2 Samuel 8:7-11; 1 Chronicles 18:11,) may not have been improperly valued at the figures here used.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

V. 16. Be doing-When thou shalt come to the throne. The sense of God’s presence must not slacken our endeavours; because he is with us, we must rise and be doing. Then he will be with us even to the end. Work out your salvation, and God will work in you.

Verse 16. Of the brass and the iron there is no number — The meaning is, the quantity of brass and iron was not numbered, as that of the gold and silver was. Arise, therefore, and be doing — When thou shalt come to the throne. The sense of God’s presence must not slacken our endeavours; because he is with us, we must rise and be doing. Then he will be with us even to the end. Work out your salvation, and God will work in you.

6-16. David’s charge to Solomon, here recorded, belongs to the same period as that of 1 Kings 2:1-10. One passage supplements the other, and the contrast between them is very noticeable. The writer of Kings was concerned more particularly with the political history of David, and records the aged king’s counsel to his son in reference to dangerous political enemies; the chronicler omits all that, and records only the charge of David respecting the building of the temple.

Verse 18. Is not the Lord your God with you?] “Is not the WORD of the Lord your God your assistant?”-T.

Hath he not given you rest on every side?] David at this time was not only king of Judea, but had also subdued most of the surrounding nations. Thus Solomon came to the Jewish throne with every possible advantage. Had he made a proper use of his state and of his talents, he would have been the greatest as well as the wisest of sovereigns. But alas! how soon did this pure gold become dim! He began with an unlawful matrimonial connection; this led him to a commerce that was positively forbidden by the law of God: he then multiplied his matrimonial connections with heathen women; they turned his heart away from God, and the once wise and holy Solomon died a fool and an idolater.

I CHRONICLES

Verse 18. The land is subdued before the Lord, and before his people — It is brought under the command of God, and of you his people, all the enemies of God and of Israel, in it or near it, being now perfectly subdued.