1 Cronache 29:15 Commento

David has said what he had to say to Solomon. But he had something more to say to the congregation before he parted with them. I. He pressed them to contribute, according to their ability, towards the building and furnishing of the temple (Ch1 29:1-5). II. They made their presents accordingly with great generosity (Ch1 29:6-9). III. David offered up solemn prayers and praises to God upon that occasion (Ch1 29:10-20), with sacrifices (Ch1 29:21, Ch1 29:22). IV. Solomon was hereupon enthroned, with great joy and magnificence (Ch1 29:23-25). V. David, soon after this finished his course (Ch1 29:26-30). And it is hard to say which shines brighter here, the setting sun or the rising sun.

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 29 This chapter relates how largely and liberally David, besides what he had before done, and his princes, offered towards defraying the expenses of building the temple, Ch1 29:1 and the joy and thankfulness that he and his people expressed on that account, attended with prayers for Solomon, and offering sacrifices unto the Lord, Ch1 29:9 and the chapter is closed, and so the book, with an account of the second unction of Solomon, the placing him on the throne, and the submission of all ranks of men unto him, and of the death of David, Ch1 29:22.

O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared,.... Of gold, silver, &c. that he and his people had provided and contributed: the gold, according to Jacob Leon (r), amounted to 59,766 tons of gold, and 46,123 gilders, each ton to be reckoned at least 1000 pounds sterling; the silver, reduced to the value of gold, made 46,337 tons, and two hundred and fifty gilders; but both, according to Witsius (s), amounted to 20,585 tons of gold; and if the talents were talents of the sanctuary, and they double the common talents, as some say they were, it was as much more, and may well be expressed by all this store, besides the brass, iron, &c. to build thee an house for thine holy name; to perform holy and religious worship in it, for the glory of his name: cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own: this he repeats, that God might have all the glory of all they had and did. (r) Relation of Memorable Things in the Tabernacle and Temple, ch. 3. p. 14, 15. (s) Miscellan. tom. 2. p. 258.

David enumerates the gifts which he designed for the building of the temple; and exhorts the princes and people to make their offerings, Ch1 29:1-5. They offer willingly, and to a great amount, Ch1 29:6-9. David's thanksgiving and prayer to God on the occasion, Ch1 29:10-19. The princes and people praise God, offer sacrifices and feasts before him, make Solomon King, and do him homage, Ch1 29:20-24. The Lord magnifies Solomon, Ch1 29:25. Concluding account of David's reign, character, and death, Ch1 29:26-30.

For we are strangers - We have here neither right nor property. And sojourners - Lodging as it were for a night, in the mansion of another. As were all our fathers - These were, as we are supported by thy bounty, and tenants at will to thee. Our days on the earth are as a shadow - They are continually declining, fading, and passing away. This is the place of our sojourning, and here we have no substantial, permanent residence. There is none abiding - However we may wish to settle and remain in this state of things, it is impossible, because every earthly form is passing swiftly away, all is in a state of revolution and decay, and there is no abiding, מקוה mikveh, no expectation, that we shall be exempt from those changes and chances to which our fathers were subjected. "As the shadow of a bird flying in the air [אויר avir] of heaven, such are our days upon the earth; nor is there any hope to any son of man that he shall live for ever." - Targum.

DAVID CAUSES THE PRINCES AND PEOPLE TO OFFER FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD. (Ch1 29:1-9) Solomon . . . is yet young and tender--Though Solomon was very young when he was raised to the sovereign power, his kingdom escaped the woe pronounced (Ecc 10:16). Mere childhood in a prince is not always a misfortune to a nation, as there are instances of the government being wisely administered during a minority. Solomon himself is a most illustrious proof that a young prince may prove a great blessing; for when he was but a mere child, with respect to his age, no nation was happier. His father, however, made this address before Solomon was endowed with the divine gift of wisdom, and David's reference to his son's extreme youth, in connection with the great national undertaking he had been divinely appointed to execute, was to apologize to this assembly of the estates--or, rather, to assign the reason of his elaborate preparations for the work.

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 29 This chapter relates how largely and liberally David, besides what he had before done, and his princes, offered towards defraying the expenses of building the temple, Ch1 29:1 and the joy and thankfulness that he and his people expressed on that account, attended with prayers for Solomon, and offering sacrifices unto the Lord, Ch1 29:9 and the chapter is closed, and so the book, with an account of the second unction of Solomon, the placing him on the throne, and the submission of all ranks of men unto him, and of the death of David, Ch1 29:22.

O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared,.... Of gold, silver, &c. that he and his people had provided and contributed: the gold, according to Jacob Leon (r), amounted to 59,766 tons of gold, and 46,123 gilders, each ton to be reckoned at least 1000 pounds sterling; the silver, reduced to the value of gold, made 46,337 tons, and two hundred and fifty gilders; but both, according to Witsius (s), amounted to 20,585 tons of gold; and if the talents were talents of the sanctuary, and they double the common talents, as some say they were, it was as much more, and may well be expressed by all this store, besides the brass, iron, &c. to build thee an house for thine holy name; to perform holy and religious worship in it, for the glory of his name: cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own: this he repeats, that God might have all the glory of all they had and did. (r) Relation of Memorable Things in the Tabernacle and Temple, ch. 3. p. 14, 15. (s) Miscellan. tom. 2. p. 258.