But the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. Blood, of Urias, (Saint Jerome and the Rab.) or rather, as David had already entertained the desire of building a temple before that event, ( E.) the blood which David had shed in just wars, must be understood; as even that causes a person to be regarded as unclean. The soldiers were obliged to be purified before they could enter the camp. Numbers 31:19. In the Christian Church, those are deemed irregular who have contributed to the death of the guilty, even as judges or witnesses. The Pagans entertained the like sentiments. Calmet. Æneas dares not touch the sacred vessels and household gods, when he was stained with blood, shed in his country’s defence.
Tu, genitor, cape sacra manu, patriosque penates
Me bello è tanto digressum et cæde recenti
Attrectare nefas. Æneid ii.
—So. Hebrew “much blood in my sight.” Bible.—This expression enhances ( D.) the greatness of the bloodshed; as when a person is said to be wicked, and so forth before the Lord, it means in an extraordinary degree. The wars of David are frequently assigned as the impediment to David’s building the temple, Calmet. 17:4 and 28:3. Joseph. and so forth Calmet.—They would not suffer him to have sufficient leisure, verse 18. ( Bible.) 3 Kennicott. 5:3. Salien. Menochius.