23

But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the Ge. 15. 5. 24 heavens. Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because 'there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

25

And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, 26 was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah: and over them that did the work of the field 27 for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars 28 was Zabdi the Shiphmite: and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil 29 was Joash and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite : 30 and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the 31 Meronothite: and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

32

Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe [or, secretary]: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni [or, Hachmonite] was with the king's 33 sons: and Ahithophel was the king's counsellor and "Hushai the Archite was 34 the king's companion: and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and *Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.

y

David's address to the chief men, and to Solomon; the voluntary offerings of the princes and people for the temple; David's thanksgiving and prayer.

2

28 AND David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession [or, cattle] of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

2

A

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had 3 made ready for the building: but God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. 4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, 'the house of my father; and among the sons of my father 5 he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 'and of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the 6 throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, "Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my 7 son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant [strong] to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this 8 day. Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

9

:

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for 10 ever. Take heed now; 'for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

11 Then David gave to Solomon his son "the pattern of the porch, and of the

1 The storehouses in the fields' were probably large pits, lined and covered with straw, in which grain of various kinds was stowed; a large stone being placed at the top, and over that a mound of earth. Pits of this kind are discovered in Palestine, and are still in use among the Moors.

2 That is, the sycamore-fig tree, which grows abundantly in Egypt and Syria, and is mentioned in Luke xix. 4. It is sometimes confounded with the sycamine (Luke xvii. 6), which is better known by us as the mulberry tree.

3 The camels, asses, and smaller cattle were sent to the deserts in the south and east, under the care of Arab shepherds or herdsmen.

4 All this was clearly and exactly represented to his mind by Divine inspiration (vers. 12, 19), just as Moses had received the plan of the tabernacle; and thus the temple was built under the same heavenly guidance as the tabernacle. As the temple was to possess not only convenience for worship, but spiritual significance, it was not to be left to human art or invention, but to be framed according to Divine institution.

houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, 12 and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and 13 of the treasuries of the dedicated things: also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for 14 all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD. He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service : 15 even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, 16 according to the use of every candlestick. And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver: 17 also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by 18 weight for every basin of silver and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot1 of the cherubim, that spread out 19 their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

20

с

Ex. 25 189–29; 1 Sam. 4.4; KL & 23, etc.

see vers. 11, 13; Ex. 25.40

2, 13; Den 31

7,8; Jos L. 6, 7, 8.

Jos 1.5

*ch. 24; 25; 25

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for 21 the service of the house of the LORD. And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing, ; skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

29 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: 2 for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. 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 3 in abundance. 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,3 of the gold of & Ophir, and seven thousand 5 talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: 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

ch. 225; 1 KL. 37: Pro. 43

Rev. 21. 18, etc.

ch. 27. 1.

ch. 27. 5, etc.

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, 7 offered willingly, 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 8 brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the 9 house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the peoplech & 21. 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. Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and Ďavid said,

10

Cor. 7.

11 Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, Ó6 13; 1 Tim 1. LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the

1 Some refer this to the 'bases' or supports on which they suppose the cherubim to have stood; others to the cherubim themselves, on which Jehovah is figuratively represented as riding. See Psa. xviii. 10; Ezek i. 5-28; x.

2 The words 'said David' are not in the original, but are supplied by our translators; and some expositors regard this verse as a continuation of the narrative which begins at ver. 11, reading it thus: From the hand of Jehovah upon him (i. e. through the wisdom imparted to him by Jehovah), he explained everything in writing, all the works of the pattern.' In ver. 11 we are informed

17: Rev. 5. 13

that David gave Solomon a pattern or plan of the temple:
this verse tells us that he added explanations in writing.
3 Eastern kings and princes have in all ages been so-
customed to lay up vast quantities of gold and silver.
4 Heb., 'adarkon,' which is supposed to denote the
Persian coin called 'daric,' derived from the word Dars,'
i. e. king (meaning royal coin, like the Spanish 'reals,
i. e. royals); or to come from the same root as the Arabic
dirhem and the Greek drachme. The writer gave the
amount in this coin probably because it was best known
to his contemporaries.

majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the 12 kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and 13 might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 14 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

But

Ge. 28. 22; Ro. 11. 36.

see refs. Ge. 47. 9.

102. 11; 144. 4; Jam. 4. 14.

ch. 28. 9; 1 Sam.
16. 7.
Pro. 11. 20.

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 15 thee. 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. Joh 14. 2: Ps. 90 9; 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for 17 thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 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 18 unto thee. 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 19 [or, stablish] their heart unto thee: 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 21 their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king. 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.

23

Ps. 10. 17. * PL. 72. 1.

aver. 2; ch. 22. 14.

And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time,2 and anointed Ki. l. 35, 39, him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

Solomon is established on the throne; David dies in peace and honour.

c

2; Eze. 17. 18.

THEN Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his 24 father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves 2 Chr. 30.8: Ecc. 8. 25 unto Solomon the king. 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.

d1 Ki. 3 13; 2 Chr. 1. 12; Ecc. 2. 9.

2. 11.

2 Sam. 5. 5. Ge, 25. 8. A ch. 23. 1.

26, 27 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. And the time that he Sam. 5. 4; 1 Ki. reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty 28 and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And he died in a good old age, full 29 of days, riches, and honour :3 and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. 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 30 Gad the seer, 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.5

THE SECOND Book of the CHRONICLES is a continuation of the preceding, and gives the history of the kingdom of David from the death of that monarch until its overthrow by Nebuchadnezzar. It thus comprises nearly the same period as the two books of The Kings, with which it has many points of agreement; differing chiefly in this, that in them the histories of Judah and Israel were mixed together, while this book treats almost exclusively of David's royal descendants, and contains much relating to them that had not been narrated before.

THE CHRONICLES.
THE

This book may be divided into two parts:

I. The history of ALL ISRAEL under Solomon, comprising Solomon's sacrifice at Gibeon, his prayer, and choice of wisdom; his wealth and grandeur (ch. i.) The building and furnishing of the temple (ii.-v.) Solomon's dedication-prayer, and God's answer thereto (vi., vii.) Solomon's buildings, officers, and commerce (viii.) The queen of Sheba's visit; Solomon's wealth and greatness (ix.)

II. The history of the KINGDOM OF JUDAH after the

1

good reign and reformations; and the deliverance of
Jerusalem from Sennacherib (xxix.-xxxii.) Manasseh's
wickedness, captivity, and repentance; and Amon's wicked
reign (xxxiii.) Josiah's good reign, and zeal for reforma-
tion (xxxiv., xxxv.) Reigns of Jenoahaz, Jehoiakim,
Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah; destruction of the city and
temple; captivity of the people (xxxvi. 1—21). ́ Pro- |
clamation of Cyrus permitting the return of the Jews
(xxxvi. 23, 24).

1 2 46 1 Chr. 23. 25 41 Chr. 7. L

♪ Ge. 19. 2.

see parallel, 1 Ki. à 4-14; see also I Chr. 16. 39; IL 2

separation of the ten tribes; including Rehoboam's accession, the revolt of the ten tribes (ch. x.) Rehoboam's government and success; his degeneracy, and the invasion of the king of Egypt (xi., xii.) Reign of Abijam (xiii.); of Asa (xiv.-xvi.) Good reign of Jehoshaphat (xvii.-xx.) Wicked reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah; and Athaliah's usurpation (xxi., xxii.) Reign of Joash (xxiii., xxiv.); of Amaziah (xxv.); of Uzziah (xxvi.); of Jotham (xxvii.); and of Ahaz (xxviii.) Hezekiah's Solomon's sacrifice at Gibeon; his prayer for wisdom; and God's promises to him. AND Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the 2 LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to "the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the 3 judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at ‘Gibeon ; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant 4 of the LORD had made in the wilderness. But the ark of God had David Sam & 2, 17; 1 brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: 5 for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put [or, was there] before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. 6 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and 'offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. 7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I 8 shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy 9 unto David my father, and hast made me 'to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: " for thou hast made 10 me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

Chr. 15. L

Ex. 27. 1, 2; 1,1 A Ex. 31. 2

Num. 27. 17: Den 31. 2.

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not | P 1 Ki. a. 11–13. asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou 12 mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither ch.91 Chr. 2. shall there any after thee have the like.

13

Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. Solomon's wealth and commerce.

25; Eca. 2 2

ch. 9. 25; 1 KL4%; 10. 26, etc.

Job 22 24

14 AND Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and ch.1K cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance. 16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's 17 merchants received the linen yarn at a price. And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.

2

Solomon's arrangements with Huram, and other preparations for the erection of the temple. AND Solomon "determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and 2 an house for his kingdom. And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundreds to oversee them.

3

b

a

r Hiram 1 KL51

1 Chr. 14. L

ver. L.
Ex. 37.

And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell 4 therein, even so deal with me. Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our 5 God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. And the house which I build is P 135 5 6 great for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an

1 The Sept. gives the correct reading: 'And Solomon came from the high place in Gibeon,' etc.

2 See notes on 1 Kings x. 28, 29.

Ex. 25. 30: La. 24.5 d Num. 28, 3, 2, IL

fch. 6 18; 1 KL. 2 Is. 66 1.

3 This is the number given by the Sept. in 1 Kings v. 16.

1 Chr. 22. 15. almuggim, 1 Ki

A Ki. 5. 6.

10. 11.

house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? 7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom 8 David my father did provide. Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and i algumor, trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in 9 Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be 10 wonderful great. And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that 1 Ki. & II. cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.2

11

ch. 9.8; 1 Kl. 10. 9.

"Ge. 1 and 2; Ps. 33. 6: 102. 25; 124. 8; 136. 5. 6; Ae. 4. 24;

14. 15; Rev. 10. 6.

Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, 'Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them. 12 Huram said moreover," Blessed be the LORD God of Israel," that made heaven. 5.7. and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his 13 kingdom. And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of 14 Huram my father's, the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father 1 Kl. 7. 13, 14. was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy 15 father. Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which 16 P my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants: and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.

17

4

And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were 18 found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

3

3

The building and furnishing of the temple.

a

P ver. 10.
1 Ki. 5. 8, 9.

Heb. Japho, Jos. 19.

46; Ac. 9. 36.
as ver. 2; ch. 8. 7,8;
1 Ki. 5. 13, 15, 16;
9. 20, 21.
1 Chr. 22. 2.

1 Kl. 6. 1. ete.
Chr. 21. 18; 22. L.

Ge. 22. 2, 14.

a or, Araunah, 2 Sam. 24. 18.

THEN Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place 2 that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of see parallel, 1 Ki. 6. the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore 4 cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty.8

5

1-4

Ki. 6 3

And he overlaid it within with pure gold; and the greater house he ceiled 41 K. & 17. with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and

6 chains. And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: 10 and the

7 gold was gold of Parvaim." He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubim on the walls.

8

And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and 9 he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. And the weight

1 Solomon is careful to set before Huram right ideas of Jehovah. Let it not be supposed that He, like the gods of the Gentiles, dwells in temples made with hands: this house, however magnificent, cannot be a habitation for Him; and is intended only that his priests and worshippers may have a fit place wherein to conduct his service.' 2 See note on 1 Kings v. 11.

3 In the Hebrew it is Huram-Abi;' and at ch. iv. 16, 'Huram-Abiv.' It is probably a proper name, the 'Abi' being added to distinguish him from other Hurams.

4 Now called Yaffa; a large sea-port on the Mediter

ranean.

5 The remnant of the Canaanites. See 1 Kings ix. 20, 21. 6 It is generally supposed (and Josephus says the same)

that this was the spot to which Abraham went to offer up Isaac. See Gen. xxii. 2.

7 The 'first' means the measure in use in Solomon's time, as distinguished from the Babylonish measure used after the captivity.

8 If this is correct, the porch must have formed a lofty tower, four times as high as the rest of the temple. But some ancient versions omit the 'hundred.'

9 Probably the pilasters were made in the form of palm-trees.

10 Or, with beautiful precious stones.'

11 This is thought by some to be the same as Ophir; by others, a general term for Eastern regions. Others take it to mean 'fine gold.'