1 Chronicles 28:19 Commentary

The account we have of David's exit, in the beginning of the first book of Kings, does not make his sun nearly so bright as that given in this and the following chapter, where we have his solemn farewell both to his son and his subjects, and must own that he finished well. In this chapter we have, I. A general convention of the states summoned to meet (Ch1 28:1). II. A solemn declaration of the divine entail both of the crown and of the honour of building the temple upon Solomon (Ch1 28:2-7). III. An exhortation both to the people and to Solomon to make religion their business (Ch1 28:8-10). IV. The model and materials delivered to Solomon for the building of the temple (Ch1 28:11-19). V. Encouragement given him to undertake it and proceed in it (Ch1 28:20, Ch1 28:21).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 28 David, having convened the principal men of the nation, declared Solomon his successor, whom God had chosen both to be king, and to build the temple, Ch1 28:1, and exhorted both them and him to serve the Lord, and build an house for him, Ch1 28:8, then gave Solomon the pattern of it, and an account of the materials he had prepared for it, Ch1 28:11, and encouraged him to go about the work with alacrity and intrepidity, Ch1 28:20.

All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me,.... Either by an impulse of his Spirit on him, whereby it was as it were written on his mind, and as clearly represented to him, as if he had it in writing before him; though the Jews think that all was first made known to Samuel, or some other prophet, who delivered it to David in writing, as from the Lord: but I see not why it may not be understood that David had the pattern of the temple, and all things relative to it, by an handwriting from the Lord himself, through the ministry of angels, as Moses received the two tables, the handwriting of the Lord, from himself; for the words, as they lie in order in the Hebrew text, are, the whole of this "in writing from the hand of the Lord, unto me, he made me to understand: even all the works of this pattern"; the particulars of which are given before. All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me,.... Either by an impulse of his Spirit on him, whereby it was as it were written on his mind, and as clearly represented to him, as if he had it in writing before him; though the Jews think that all was first made known to Samuel, or some other prophet, who delivered it to David in writing, as from the Lord: but I see not why it may not be understood that David had the pattern of the temple, and all things relative to it, by an handwriting from the Lord himself, through the ministry of angels, as Moses received the two tables, the handwriting of the Lord, from himself; for the words, as they lie in order in the Hebrew text, are, the whole of this "in writing from the hand of the Lord, unto me, he made me to understand: even all the works of this pattern"; the particulars of which are given before. 1 Chronicles 28:20 ch1 28:20 ch1 28:20 ch1 28:20And David said to Solomon his son, be strong, and of good courage, and do it,.... See Gill on Ch1 28:10. fear not, nor be dismayed; that thou shalt meet with any opposition in the work, or not be able to finish it for want of materials and workmen, or money to pay them: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; to guide and direct, prosper and succeed; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord God, my God, will be thy help:" he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee; a promise made to Joshua, and is applicable to every good man in whatsoever good work he is concerned, Jos 1:5, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord; built the temple, and all the apartments of it, and courts belonging to it, and made and provided all the utensils and vessels necessary for the service and worship of God.

David assembles the princes of Israel, and informs them that the temple was to be built by Solomon; to whom God had given the most gracious promises, Ch1 28:1-7. He exhorts them and him to be obedient to God, that they might continue to prosper, Ch1 28:8-10. He gives Solomon a pattern of the work, Ch1 28:11, Ch1 28:12; directs him concerning the courses of the priests and Levites, Ch1 28:13; gives also gold, by weight, for the different utensils of the temple, as God had directed him, Ch1 28:14-19; encourages Solomon to undertake the work, Ch1 28:20, Ch1 28:21.

Understand in writing - In some vision of ecstasy he had seen a regularly sketched out plan, which had made so deep an impression on his mind that he could readily describe it to his son. "That the architecture of the temple," says Dr. Delaney, "was of Divine origin, I, for my part, am fully satisfied from this passage, and am confirmed in this opinion by finding from Vilalpandas that the Roman, at least the Greek, architecture is derived from this, as from its fountain; and in my humble opinion even an infidel may easily believe these to be of Divine original, inasmuch as they are, at least the latter is, found perfect in the earliest models; nor hath the utmost reach of human wisdom, invention, and industry, been ever able to improve it, or alter it but to disadvantage, through the course of so many ages."

DAVID EXHORTS THE PEOPLE TO FEAR GOD. (Ch1 28:1-8) David assembled all the princes of Israel--that is, the representatives of the people, the leading men of the kingdom, who are enumerated in this verse according to their respective rank or degree of authority. princes of the tribes-- (Ch1 27:16-22). Those patriarchal chiefs are mentioned first as being the highest in rank--a sort of hereditary noblesse. the captains of the companies--the twelve generals mentioned (Ch1 27:1-15). the stewards, &c.-- (Ch1 27:25-31). the officers--Hebrew, "eunuchs," or attendants on the court (Sa1 8:15; Kg1 22:9; Kg2 22:18); and besides Joab, the commander-in-chief of the army, the heroes who had no particular office (1Ch. 11:10-12:40; 2Sa. 23:8-39). This assembly, a very mixed and general one, as appears from the parties invited, was more numerous and entirely different from that mentioned (Ch1 23:2).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 28 David, having convened the principal men of the nation, declared Solomon his successor, whom God had chosen both to be king, and to build the temple, Ch1 28:1, and exhorted both them and him to serve the Lord, and build an house for him, Ch1 28:8, then gave Solomon the pattern of it, and an account of the materials he had prepared for it, Ch1 28:11, and encouraged him to go about the work with alacrity and intrepidity, Ch1 28:20.

All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me,.... Either by an impulse of his Spirit on him, whereby it was as it were written on his mind, and as clearly represented to him, as if he had it in writing before him; though the Jews think that all was first made known to Samuel, or some other prophet, who delivered it to David in writing, as from the Lord: but I see not why it may not be understood that David had the pattern of the temple, and all things relative to it, by an handwriting from the Lord himself, through the ministry of angels, as Moses received the two tables, the handwriting of the Lord, from himself; for the words, as they lie in order in the Hebrew text, are, the whole of this "in writing from the hand of the Lord, unto me, he made me to understand: even all the works of this pattern"; the particulars of which are given before. All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me,.... Either by an impulse of his Spirit on him, whereby it was as it were written on his mind, and as clearly represented to him, as if he had it in writing before him; though the Jews think that all was first made known to Samuel, or some other prophet, who delivered it to David in writing, as from the Lord: but I see not why it may not be understood that David had the pattern of the temple, and all things relative to it, by an handwriting from the Lord himself, through the ministry of angels, as Moses received the two tables, the handwriting of the Lord, from himself; for the words, as they lie in order in the Hebrew text, are, the whole of this "in writing from the hand of the Lord, unto me, he made me to understand: even all the works of this pattern"; the particulars of which are given before. 1 Chronicles 28:20 ch1 28:20 ch1 28:20 ch1 28:20And David said to Solomon his son, be strong, and of good courage, and do it,.... See Gill on Ch1 28:10. fear not, nor be dismayed; that thou shalt meet with any opposition in the work, or not be able to finish it for want of materials and workmen, or money to pay them: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; to guide and direct, prosper and succeed; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord God, my God, will be thy help:" he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee; a promise made to Joshua, and is applicable to every good man in whatsoever good work he is concerned, Jos 1:5, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord; built the temple, and all the apartments of it, and courts belonging to it, and made and provided all the utensils and vessels necessary for the service and worship of God.