Open an explanation beneath verses with notes. Your notes and highlights stay on this device.
David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
Verse 1. Tender, not so much in years, for he was 22, but in comparison with David, and with reference to so great a work. Menochius.
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, the bronze for the things of bronze, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, also onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Verse 2. Onyx, or “emeralds.” Calmet.—Septuagint “soom,” from the Hebrew shoham.—Alabaster. Hebrew puc. Bible.—The dark paint used for the eyes, has the same name. 4 Kennicott. 9:30, Jeremiah 4:30. Yet the stibium or stimmi, or alabaster, mentioned by Pliny, (xxxiii. 6.) was of a sliver colour, but not transparent. The stone here specified was probably alabaster, as it was used for the pavement. There is a very fine species at Damascus, and in Arabia, which was much sought after to decorate buildings. Calmet.—Chal. has “emeralds.” Septuagint “stones of perfection, rich and various, and every precious stone, and much Parion.” Bible.—But Isaiah 54:11, they translate the same term, “carbuncle.” Calmet.—The stone might resemble the agate, which is beautifully shaded with clouds and other fanciful figures. Tirinus.—Paros: this is taken from the Septuagint Hebrew has simply, “and stones of ssiss.” Bible.—Whether it denote the isle of Chio, or that of Chitis, in the Red Sea, the former famous for marble, and the latter for topaz; or it may refer to Sais, a city of Egypt, which had most beautiful porphyry. Pliny xxxvi. 7. and xxxvii. 8.—But Paros, one of the Cyclades, was most renowned for its white marble. ib. xxxvi. 5.—Josephus (Bel. vi. 6.) informs us, that the temple was built of large white marble stones; so that it appeared, at a distance, to be covered with snow. Calmet.
In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house:
Verse 3. Own. What he had already vowed, he esteemed no longer his. Worthington.—Temple. Hebrew “houses,” including the various apartments belonging to the temple. The sum which David had formerly set apart out of the spoils of war, and so forth amounted to 835,000,000l. What he now adds, is 16,125,000l. sterling, according to Brerewood, who deems the sums exorbitant; and others have suspected that there is a mistake in the former numbers. We have seen with what foundation. Calmet. 22:14. David was so convinced, that the sum which he had been able to collect was too small, that he exhorted the princes to contribute, with all their power, and set them this noble example, which they endeavoured to imitate. Bible.—He had collected some of the gold of Ophir, which was esteemed the best. Calmet. See 3 Kennicott. 9:28. Menochius.—We have before remarked, that Solomon went beyond the expectations of his father, and used no silver.
even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses;
A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces, so 3000 talents is about 90 metric tons
about 210 metric tons
of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself today to the LORD?”
Verse 5. Fill his hand, is an expression applied to priests, by which David imitates, that any one may now offer a species of sacrifice to the Lord. Judges 7:5, Exodus 32:29. Calmet. Menochius.—He wishes them to act with generosity. Bible.
Then the princes of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king’s work, offered willingly;
Verse 6. Possessions, mentioned Calmet. 27:25.
and they gave for the service of God’s house of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, of silver ten thousand talents, of bronze eighteen thousand talents, and of iron one hundred thousand talents.
Verse 7. Solids. Septuagint “pieces of gold;” χρυσους. Hebrew adarcnim, which Prot. render “drachms,” ( Bible.) after the Syr. and so forth Others think that the Darics, used in Persia, are meant, though they did not exist in David’s time. Esdras might reduce the money to correspond with the coin with which his countrymen were then acquainted. 2 Ezra 7:70. Pelletier.—The Daric was equivalent to the golden sicle, which was only half the weight of one of silver, though this is not certain. Calmet.—A solid was only the sixth part of an ounce, whereas the sicle weighed half an ounce, or four drachms.—Talents were always of the same weight, 125 Roman pounds. Menochius.
A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces, so 5000 talents is about 150 metric tons
a daric was a gold coin issued by a Persian king, weighing about 8.4 grams or about 0.27 troy ounces each.
People with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the LORD’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Verse 8. Gersonite; who, with his brethren, was treasurer. Calmet. 26:22.
Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
Verse 9. Willingly. Their disposition was perfect: for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7. Calmet.
Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
Verse 10. From. Septuagint “from age to age;” (Pagnin, and so forth) that is, throughout eternity: ( Menochius.) “for ever and ever.” Prot. Eternity has no parts. Bible.
Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
Verse 11. Magnificence. Thee we ought to magnify. David uses many words to express the sentiments of his grateful soul. Menochius.
Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all!
Verse 12. Thine. Hebrew and Septuagint “of thee.” Bible.—Greatness. Hebrew “to magnify and strengthen all.” Menochius.—Our riches are thy gifts; and to thee we return a part, with gladness.
Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given you of your own.
Verse 14. Promise. Hebrew “to offer so willingly in this manner?” Bible.—He is astonished at the rich display of gifts: but acknowledged that all was originally sent by God. In the same sentiments, we say in the mass, “We offer unto thee of thy own presents and gifts;” or, as the Greek expresses it, τα σα απο των σων. Calmet.
For we are strangers before you and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining.
Verse 15. Strangers. We have nothing but what we have received from thee; and for how short a time! Calmet.—No stay. Hebrew “none abiding, ( Bible. or) no hope” of being able to escape death, ( Calmet.) when we must leave all. How happy, therefore, are those who sent their treasures before them! Bible.—All are pilgrims, with respect to heaven. Hebrews 13. Worthington.
LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own.
I know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.
Verse 17. Simplicity. Hebrew “uprightness.” Septuagint “justice;” ( Bible.) a pure intention, which our Saviour styled a single eye. Matthew 6:22. Tirinus.
LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you;
Verse 18. This. Hebrew “keep this for ever, in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and direct their heart unto thee. Preserve these good dispositions, which though has given them.” Calmet.
and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.”
Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God!” All the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.
Verse 20. Then is not in Hebrew or Septuagint Bible.—The same term is used, to express the outward adoration which they shewed to God, and the civil respect which was due to the king: pari gestu, says Grotius, animo diverso. Calmet.—How then will Protestants prove that we are guilty of idolatry, when we bow down before the cross, and so forth unless they pretend to know the secrets of hearts? Prot. they “bowed down their heads, (Septuagint knees) and worshipped the Lord and the king.” Bible.—The exterior set was the same, but the intention determined the application. See Exodus 20. Worthington.
They sacrificed sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel,
Verse 21. And with. Hebrew and Septuagint “and their sacrifices of wine and victims, (or peace-offerings, to be eaten by the people. Calmet.) in abundance for all Israel.” Bible.
and ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.
Verse 22. The Lord, at Jerusalem, ( Menochius.) where the ark was then kept. Bible.—Second time: the first had been done with too much precipitation, in consequence of the attempt of Adonias; (3 Kennicott. 1:39. Tirinus.) or this took place after the death of David, that his successor might be invested with full power, (Grot.) and be acknowledged by all. Bible.—Priest. This at least only took place after the death of David, when Abiathar fell into disgrace. 3 Kennicott. 2:35. Both prince and priest must act by God’s authority; and those who resist them, resist God himself. Romans 13:1. Calmet.—They are ministers of the Lord. Bible.
Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
All the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of King David submitted themselves to Solomon the king.
Verse 24. Gave. Hebrew “placed their hands upon Solomon.” Septuagint “were subject to him.” Calmet.—The latter words in the Vulg. explain the meaning of the ceremony. Menochius.—It seems to have been similar to that used by Abraham required an oath of his servant. Genesis 24:2. Vassals placed their hands within those of their Lord, under whom they hold lands; ( Calmet.) and the descendants of the Germans testify their submission, by putting their hands between a person’s knees. Grotius.—The nobles took the oath of fidelity to Solomon, by some such method. Calmet.
The LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and gave to him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.
Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer,
Verse 29. Gad, the seer “of David,” as he is sometimes styled. These three were well acquainted with David, ( Calmet.) and wrote the two first books of Kings; ( Bible.) or at least those books are compiled from their memorials, ( Calmet.) if their works be lost, ( Menochius.) which is uncertain. Worthington.
with all his reign and his might, and the events that involved him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the lands.
Verse 30. Under him in various tribulations, towards the end of his reign. Vatable, and so forth—Those prophets recorded not only what regarded David, ( Bible.) but also what happened of consequence, in other nations, with which he had any connections.—Of the. Syr. and Arab. “of his land, or among the kings of his race.” Calmet.—David reduced under his dominion not only the nations which dwelt in Chanaan, but all those which had been promised to Israel. Bible.
2 PARALIPOMENON
THE SECOND BOOK OF PARALIPOMENON