CONTINUATION OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE ASSEMBLY.

(1) Furthermore.—And. David reviews his own preparations, and asks the offerings of the assembly, which are cheerfully accorded (1Chronicles 29:1-9).

Alone.—Of all his brothers.

Young and tender.—1Chronicles 22:5.

The palace (bîrāh).—A word peculiar to the Chronicles, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel. It usually means the palace at Susa (comp. the Persian word bâru, “citadel”), and this is the only passage of Scripture in which it denotes the Temple. From its august associations, the word was well calculated to convey to the minds of the chronicler’s contemporaries some idea of the magnificence of the Temple of Solomon as he imagined it.

The gold for things to be made of gold.—Literally, the gold for the gold, and the silver for the silver, &c. (Comp. 1Chronicles 28:14.)

Onyx (shōham).—So Vulg. The LXX. keeps the Hebrew word Σοάμ. (See Gen. ii 12; Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28:9; Exodus 28:20; Job 28:16.) The uncertainty of meaning is illustrated by the fact that the LXX. in various passages translates shōham by onyx, beryl, sardius, emerald, and sapphire.

Stones to be set (’abnê millû’îm).—Stones of settings; strictly, fillings; LXX., πληρώσεως (Exodus 25:7; Exodus 35:9).

Glistering stones, and of divers colours.—Literally, stones of pûk and riqmāh. Pûk is the pigment used by Eastern ladies for darkening the eyebrows and lashes (kohl: 2Kings 9:30). It here seems to denote the colour of the stones in question. Perhaps some kind of decorative marble is intended (comp. Isaiah 54:11). Riqmāh stones are veined or variegated marbles, or, perhaps, tesselated work (comp. Ezekiel 17:3; Judges 5:30). The LXX. renders the phrase “costly and variegated stones.”

All manner of precious stones.—2Chronicles 3:6.

Marble stones.—Stones of shàyish, a word only read here. It means white marble. The LXX. and Vulg. have Parian marble, but the Targum simply marmora, “marbles.” (Comp. Esther 1:6; Song of Solomon 5:15, where shêsh is equivalent to the present form.)

I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver.—I have a personal property in gold and silver. For the word sĕgullāh, peculium, see Exodus 19:5.

I have given—i.e., I give (1Chronicles 21:23).

Over and above (lĕma‘lāh).—1Chronicles 22:5.

All that I have prepared.—The Hebrew again omits the relative. (Comp. 1Chronicles 15:12.)

Gold of Ophir.—Indian gold, from Abhîra, at the mouth of the Indus.

Seven thousand talents of refined silver.—About £2,800,000 sterling.

To overlay.—Strictly, to besmear (Isaiah 44:18).

The houses.—The chambers (1Chronicles 28:11; see 2Chronicles 3:4-9). The Syriac and Arabic have “a thousand thousand talents of gold,” and “twice a thousand thousand talents of silver.”

And who then is willing to consecrate his service?—Literally, And who volunteers (Judges 5:1) to fill his hand to-day for Jehovah? To fill his hand: that is, with a liberal offering (Exodus 32:29).

Chief . . . princes . . . captains . . . rulers.—All these words represent a single Hebrew term (sārîm). Princes of the clans or houses = heads of the houses elsewhere.

With the rulers of the king’s work.—The stewards or bailiffs of the royal domains (1Chronicles 27:25-31). The construction here is like that in 1Chronicles 28:21. The particle rendered “with” (le) appears to mean much the same as ‘ăd, “even unto,” assigning an inclusive limit.

Ten thousand drams.—Rather, Darics. The Daric (Greek, Δαρεικὸς) was a Persian gold coin, value about £1 2s., first struck by the great Darius, son of Hystaspes (B.C. 521-485). It remained current in Western Asia long after the fall of the Persian Empire. The Hebrew word (’ădarkônîm) occurs again only once, viz., at Ezra 8:27, where it clearly means Darics, and is so rendered by the Syriac (dărîkûnê). The darkôn (or darbôn) is mentioned in the Talmud as a Persian coin. The chronicler, or his authority, has evidently substituted a familiar modern term for some ancient expression of value. No real coins are mentioned in Scripture before the age of the exile.

Silver ten thousand talents.—About £4,000,000 in modern value (see 1Kings 10:21; 1Kings 10:27); or, according to Schrader, who argues from Assyrian data, £3,750,000. The value of the bronze and the iron must have been much greater then than now. (See Note on 1Chronicles 22:14.)

The treasure of the house of the Lord.—1Chronicles 26:22. (Comp. Exodus 35:27 for a similar contribution of the princes.)

By the hand of Jehiel.—Under the charge of Jehiel (‘al yad, 1Chronicles 25:2). Jehiel, or Jehieli, was the Gershonite clan in charge of the “treasures of the house of God” (1Chronicles 26:21-22).

With perfect heart.—1Chronicles 28:9.

Before all.—To the eyes of all (Genesis 23:11), and frequently.

Lord God of Israel our rather.—The connection is “Israel our father,” not “Jehovah our father.” (Comp. 1Chronicles 29:18; 1Chronicles 29:20; Exodus 3:6. Yet comp. also Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8; Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 1:6; Malachi 2:10; Jeremiah 31:9.) The fatherhood of God, though thus occasionally affirmed in prophetic writings, hardly became a ruling idea within the limits of Old Testament times. (Comp. Matthew 23:9; Matthew 6:9.)

For ever and ever.—From eternity even unto eternity. (Comp. the doxologies of the first and third books of the Psalter—Psalm 41:13; Psalm 106:48—and Psalm 103:17.)

Greatness.—Gĕdullāh, a late word. (Comp. Psalm 71:21; Psalm 145:3.)

Power.—Strictly, manly strength; then valour, prowess (Psalm 21:13). (Comp. Exodus 15:3.)

The glory.—Ornament, beauty, splendour (Isaiah 3:18; Isaiah 13:19; Isaiah 46:13; Psalm 96:6).

Majesty.—See Psalm 21:6; Psalm 96:6.

Victory.—Glory, splendour (1Samuel 15:29). “Victory” is the meaning of the word in Syriac, and so the LXX. and Vulg. render here. But the Syriac version has “beauty.” or “glory.” With the whole ascription, comp. Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:12; Revelation 7:12.

All that is in the heavens . . . is thine.—The pronoun (lāk) seems to have fallen out before the following: “Thine (lĕkā) is the kingdom.” (Comp. for the idea Psalm 89:11; Psalm 24:1.)

The kingdom.—The universal sovereignty (Psalm 96:10; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 22:28).

Thou art exalted as head above all.—Lit., And the self-exalted over all as head (art thou). (Comp. Numbers 16:3.) Here also the pronoun (’āttāh) may have been lost at the end. Ewald, however, explains the apparent participle as an Aramaized infinitive: “And the being exalted over all as head is thine.” (Comp. Isaiah 24:21 for the supremacy of God over all powers of heaven and earth.)

As head.—Comp. Deuteronomy 28:13; Psalm 18:43; Colossians 2:10.

Power and might.—Power, rendered “might” in 1Chronicles 29:2.

Might.—Rendered “power” in 1Chronicles 29:11. And in thine hand it is to make great (1Samuel 2:7-8; Luke 1:52).

Thy glorious name.—The name of thy glory: here only. (Comp. Isaiah 63:14, and Psalm 72:19.)

That we should be able.—That we should hold in: i.e., keep strength (‘āçar kōah), a phrase confined to six passages in the Chronicles and three in Daniel (Daniel 11:6; Daniel 10:8; Daniel 10:16).

All things come of thee.—For from thee is the whole (scil.) of our wealth and power. (Comp. 1Chronicles 29:16.)

And of thine own.—And out of thine own hand.

Our days on the earth are as a (the) shadow.—Job 8:9; Psalm 144:4.

And there is none abiding.—Rather, and there is no hope; no outlook, no assured future, no hope of permanence. What is the ground for this plaintive turn in the thought? Merely, it would seem, to emphasise what has just been said. We, as creatures of a day, can have no abiding and absolute possession. Our good things are lent to us for a season only. As our fathers passed away, so shall we.

Cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.—From thine own hand it is, and thine is the whole. The whole verse is a clearer expression of the second half of 1Chronicles 29:14. (Comp. Psalm 104:28.)

Hast pleasure in.—1Chronicles 28:4, 1Chronicles 29:3. (Comp. also 1Chronicles 28:9.)

Uprightness.—Or, sincerity (mêshārîm, Song of Solomon 1:4).

In the uprightness (yōsher), integrity (Deuteronomy 9:5),, a synonym of mêshārîm. Both literally mean straightness: e.g., of a road (Proverbs 2:13; Proverbs 23:31). The connexion of ideas is this: Thou that lookest upon the heart knowest that my offering has been made without grudging and without hypocrisy; my motive was not my own interest, but Thy glory. Hence my joyful thanksgiving, because of the free generosity of Thy people.

Which are present here.—Literally, Who have found themselves here (reflexive verb). (So 2Chronicles 5:11, and other places.)

Keep this for ever in the imagination.—Rather, preserve this for ever: to wit, “the cast (1Chronicles 28:9) of the thoughts of the heart of thy people.” Give permanence to the frame of mind which has evinced itself in the freewill offerings of to-day.

Prepare their heart.—Or, direct (1Samuel 7:3). (Comp. Ezekiel 4:3; Ezekiel 4:7, “direct the face towards . . .” Proverbs 16:9, “direct his going.” Comp. also 2Chronicles 12:14; 2Chronicles 20:33.)

The palace.—1Chronicles 29:1.

And to do all these things.—And to do the whole; (scil.) of thy commandments, testimonies, and statutes (comp. 1Chronicles 22:13; 1Chronicles 28:7), or, to carry out all my designs.

For the which I have made provision.—Which I have prepared (scil.) to build (1Chronicles 28:2).

(20) Now bless.—Bless ye, I pray. The “now” is not a note of time, but of entreaty.

Blessed the Lord God of their fathers.—Probably using a liturgical formula, like the doxologies which close the books of the Psalter (Psalm 41:13; Psalm 72:18-19; Psalm 89:52, &c).

And bowed down their heads.—Or, and bowed. Vulg., inclinaverunt se; LXX. here, κάμψαντες τὰ γόνατα, bending the knees; but usually κνψαντες, stooping, bowing.

Worshipped.—Prostrated themselves. LXX., προσεκύνησαν. The two expressions “bowed and worshipped” are always united, as here (save in 2Chronicles 20:18. Comp. Genesis 24:26; Exodus 12:27). The Syriac renders, “fell down and worshipped.”

And the king.—As God’s earthly representative, David receives the same tokens of reverence and homage. (Comp. 1Kings 1:31.)

A thousand bullocks . . .—Heb., Bullocks a thousand, rams a thousand, &c., according to the later mode of speech; and their libations (Psalm 16:4; Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 23:13).

And sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.—The word “sacrifices” (zĕbāhîm) occurred in a general sense at the beginning of the verse. Here, in connexion with burnt-offerings, it has the special meaning of “thank-offerings” (shĕlāmîm; Authorised Version, “peace-offerings,” Deuteronomy 12:6). See for both kinds of sacrifice, Leviticus 1:1 sqq.; Exodus 20:24; Exodus 24:5.

For all Israel.—So that every one present might partake of the sacrificial meal. (Comp. Notes on 1Chronicles 16:2-3; Deuteronomy 12:7; 1Samuel 1:3-8; 1Samuel 1:13.)

And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time.—The first time is briefly noticed in 1Chronicles 23:1. (Comp. the full account, 1Kings 1:32-40.)

And anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor.—And anointed (him; perhaps the suffix has fallen out) for Jehovah as prince (nāgîd, 1Chronicles 27:16; 1Kings 1:35).

Anointed.—Judges 9:15; 2Samuel 2:4. The expression “for Jehovah” seems to mean, according to His will. (Comp. 1Chronicles 28:5.) Or perhaps we should render, anointed him as prince, and Zadoh as priest, to Jehovah. The king was Jehovah’s vicegerent, as Zadok was His priest. The theocratic nature of the Israelite monarchy is again insisted upon. (Comp. 1Chronicles 17:14; 1Chronicles 28:5.)

And Zadok to be priest.—A remarkable notice, peculiar to the Chronicles. Among other things, it vividly illustrates the almost sovereign dignity of the high priest’s office; it also explains the deposition of Abiathar (comp. 1Kings 1:32; 1Kings 2:26) as having been already contemplated by David.

Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord.—Comp. 1Chronicles 28:5.

As king instead of David his father.—It is not meant that David abdicated. 1Chronicles 29:23-25 are anticipative of the history of Solomon’s reign. At the same time, their introduction here is natural, not only as relating the immediate sequel of Solomon’s coronation, but also as showing how David’s last wishes in regard to his son were realised.

Submitted themselves.—See marginal rendering. The Vulg. has the exegetical expansion, “dederunt manum et subjeeti fuerunt Salomoni regi.” The Hebrew phrase “put (nāthan) hand under . . .” is not met with elsewhere. (Comp. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 24:9.) It appears to be different from “give hand to . . .” in token of good faith or submission. (Comp. 2Chronicles 30:8; Lamentations 5:6; Ezekiel 17:18.) An ancient mode of doing homage may be intended. The whole sentence may contain an allusive reference to the attempt of Adonijah (1Kings 1:5-53).

1Chronicles 29:26-30.—Concluding remarks upon David’s history.

Over all Israel.—This alludes to the antecedent reign over Judah only. (See 2Samuel 5:1-5; 1Chronicles 11:1; 1Chronicles 12:38.)

That he reigned.—This verse is a duplicate of 1Kings 2:11, omitting the words “David” at the beginning and “years” at the end.

Seven years.—More exactly, seven and a-half. (See 2Samuel 5:5.)

Full of days.—From LXX. and Vulg. (πλήρης ἡμερῶν —plenus dierum). Literally, satisfied with days. Syriac, “And he was satisfied with the days of his life.” (Comp. 1Chronicles 23:1; Genesis 35:29.)

Riches and honour.—1Chronicles 29:12. Syriac, “And he was great in the riches of the world, and in the honour thereof.”

And Solomon his son reigned in his stead.—The regular formula, from 1Kings 11:43 to the end of the history of the kings.

The acts of David.—Or, the matters, history of David. The Heb. dābār is (1) a word, (2) something spoken about, a matter, transaction, or event. (Comp. 1Chronicles 16:37; 2Kings 17:11; Genesis 15:1; 2Samuel 11:18-19.) Gesenius renders here: Et res gestae regis David . . . ecce eae scriptae in libro cui titulus, Res Samuĕlis (Thesaur., p. 722). As to the sources apparently cited by the chronicler in this passage, see the remarks in the Introduction.

And the times that went over him.—Heb., passed over him. The seasons of good and evil fortune, the vicissitudes of his own and his people’s history. (Comp. 1Chronicles 12:32; Psalm 31:16; Job 24:1 [=seasons of judgment]; Daniel 9:25.)

And over all the kingdoms of the countries.—Viz., those with which David had relations of friendship or war, such as the Philistines, Aramæans, Hamathites, and other surrounding peoples. (Comp. chap 14:17.)

Kingdoms of the countries.—2Chronicles 12:8; 2Chronicles 17:10; 2Chronicles 20:29; not elsewhere.

The Syriac adds: “Because that David did that which was good before the Lord, and departed not from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life.”