Commentary on the Holy Bible

Thus courts of eecUaiaattcat and dvU nidicataire were eatabliriMd in liie land; end dne care taken to preserve and ensure the peue of the church, and the lefety of die sute I without which dtepublio welfare could nratber be secured nor promoted. Whaterer affeets reUnea a any country, must aflbet tbe eiat^ or govenuneni sf dutt eoun* try t true religioa ahms oaa dii^oea nan to oivil oM>- eoee. Ther«l<we it is die interest of erery state to protect and encourage religion. It would eeriaioty be ixtitioaB to true reUgioD, to mue the state dependent on the efaurdit nor should the church be dependent on the stats. X<et them mutually support each other; and let the state mla hy the iows, and (he cburoh live by tbe Bible.

Verse 1. 7%« dtieffaihere and oaptaina of ttousoiuir] The patriarchs, chisf generals, or generals of brigade, "nils eimmeration is widely di&rent from the preceding: In that, we have the orders and courses of die pritate and die timtee ia their eectetiatHeal ministrations; in we have the account of the order of tbe civil service, what related simply to the ptiilieal $taU at (be king and (be Idngdom. Iwen^-fbur persona, chosen out of Davlif s worthieiL each of whom bad a second, were phced over ttDmty-Jimr thmtaand men, who all served a month ia turn, at a time; and this was the whole of their service during theyear, after which they attended to their own afiairs. TboM the king had always on foot a regular tOnb oi twniy-fsur ihtnimnd, who served without expense (0 him or the slatt^ and were not oppressed by the service^

Sbich took up only a twelfth part of tlieir time; and \>j is plan he eould at any time, when the exigen<7 of die stale re(|uired it, bring into the field twelve times tventifftmr (Aoutaadj or f woAundred and eighty-etgkt thmuand fighting men, indepeDdendy of the twelve ikoutand officers, which made m the wtiole an effective force of Are* Aundred Hunuand soldiers; and all these men were pr^ pared, disciplined, and ready at a calLwithout the smallest expense to the state or the king, l^iese were, properly peaking, the miWfa of the iCTaelitiah kingdcm. See

4 And over the course of the eeoood mootfa vat ■> Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course ^cu Mikloth also the ruler: fai his course loere twenty and four thousand.

5 The third captain of the host nv the third month «a« Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a ' chief priest: and in his course V)ere twenty and four thousand.

6 This ia that Benaiah, -who was ' mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course wob Ammizabad his son.

7 The fourth capiain for the fourth month was * Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah hie son after him: and in his course were twenty and fbui ttunisand.

8 The fifth captain for the fifth numth tea* Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course leere twenty and four thousand.

9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was ' Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in hk course were twenty and four thousand.

10 The seventh copfotn for the seventh month vas ' Uelez the Felonite, of tlie cliildren of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and ibur thousand.

11 The eighth ct&tain for the eighth month vas ^ Sibberaithe Huahathite, of the 2iarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was i Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was k Mabarai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in tiis course icere twenty and four tiiousaod.

14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was > Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the chUdren of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was " Heldai the Netophathite, of Othoiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

16 T Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the nider of the Reubenites was Eliezer the ■on t£ Zicbri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

17 Of the Levites, ■ Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaromtes, Zadok:

18 Of Judab, ° Elihn, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri, the son of Midmel:

VerM 5. Benaiah the eon qf Jehoiada, a chief Prieef] Why abould nol ihU clauae be read as it u in the Hebrew T " Benaiah, the aon of Jehoiada the prieiL a captain; and in hie coun&" Ac. Or, aa the Tarram baa it, " The third captain of the boat fin* the month Sivaa vas Benaiah, the •on erf Jehoiada the priest, who was constituted a chief." He is distinguished from Benaiah the Piialfaonite, who was over dte devejiih month. Some think that the ori-

S' oal word \7an ha-cahen, which eenendly signifies prieet, ould be translated here a principal <{fieer i so the mar' gin, has it But, in the Old Testament, \ni eoften, signines both prtncs and pnesl; and translating it former removes the difficulty firom this place, rar ws vrai know that Benaiah never was AvrieeL

VeraeT. ^saA<l Os frrotfter •AxiAJ lUs vow proves that d» division and anaoKement mentimted above were made It^nre David was acknowledged king In Hebron: for Asahel. the brother of Joab, who was fourth captain, was slain oy Abntr, while lahbosbeih reigned over Israel, at Hehanain), 2 Sam. ii. 19—23.

. Terse 16. Over the trUtee qf lerael] In this enumeratkn there is do mention of the trUies of AAer and Qad. Pnfaabty tha aoeonnt of dwse hasheen lost from this is- diab: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 30 Of the children of E^aim, Hosbea th« son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Maaaaseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

21 Of the half tribe of Manaswh in Gileai Iddo, the son of Zechariab: of Benjamin, Juksiel the son of Abner!

22 Of Dan. Azareei the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of IsracL

33 1 But David took not the nomber trf" them from twenty years old and under; becaose ' the Lord had said he would increase Israel fika to the stars of the heavens.

24 Joab the son of Zemiah began to number, but he finished not, because te.]b5ie ' there fell wrath for it agtunst Israel; neither 'was the number put in the account of the chronicles of King David^

85 J And over the luDsfs treasures i: c5 was Azmaveth the son Adiel: and '■■mi* over the storehouses in the fields, in - the cities, and in the villages, ami in '■*^'^**r the castles, was Jehonathan toe son of tlzztah:

26 And over them that did the work of tlw field for tillage of the ground was Exri the sob ofChelob:

27 And over the vineyards was Shimd tbs Ramathite: * over the increase of the vineyardB for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shqtmaitc;

28 And over the olive trees and the sycanor* trees that were in the low plains, was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of ofl was Joash:

29 And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds tkat were in the valleys woe Shaphat the soa-eC

30 Over the camels also was ObA the lahmaelite: and over the Bases was Jehdeiah tbs MeroDOthite:

31 And over the flocks was Jaztx the Hsgerite. AU these were the mlera of the Bobstance whieh 1000 King David's.

33 And " Ahitbophd was the kiQg*aeaaDseflor: and ' Hnshai the Arcliile was the king's companion:

34 Andafter AhithophelwasJehosadathesoa of Benaiah, and r-Atdatbar: and the general «f the king's army was * Joab.

gister. "Hiese rulers appear to have been til hmatttj men, widiout pay, like the lords lientensnb of am eoon^ Verae 24. Nelatr vae &e mcmAerpatf m Ae aecmQ Joab did not return die iriiole number: probably the plagss began before he had finiAed: or, be dig not chnasa w pas it in, as he bad entered on this work with eztnae luwetance; and be tfid not choose IS tell the king how MumaiBSi they were.

verse 26— 31. Over the kin^etreaewreej Weaeeftsa these verses in what the pereonai jnvpertf of Darid csaaisted:— I. 1>euure% sold, silver, Ac Z. Goods sad grain in csitleftcitiaL village^ and in the &dda. XTImyaidi^ and their [voauea. 4. Olive lree% and their pa»- dnoe. 6. Neat cattle, in diffbient districts; 6. Canefawd asses; they had no horses. 7. Flocks, abeesjcoa^ Ac

Verso 34. And <^fter AhUhopheTi The Targum ki curious; "When they went to war they aAed oomsel «f ^diofdiel; ud, after the counsel of Anithophol, ihsy inquired by ^rim and TTiummim of Jehoiada, die sob of Benaiah, prince of the sanhedriia, and chief of the prisai hood; and from Abiathar, the high priest AadaMrthc^ had inquired by Urim ud llHiinmim, they went emt m battle, well armed with bows and slings; and Jeeb, Am general of the king's troc^ led them on." ft is worthy of remaric that Obu. an Ishmaelite, or Ar^ vas pat over the camels, whieh is a ereabire of Arataai aod Jaans, a Hsgarew^ (the Hwarenes w«e sbephetiis to yofcssiosj was put over the Mcks: nothing went by tnevi ssa was q^wiated to du offioe foririach h* was b«C THdtfHt

Lo^im tribes, and ^ the captains of the companies that ministered to the king, by course, and the captains over the thousands, and cai>' tains over me hundreds, and < the stewards over all the substance and ^ poeseasion of the king

* and of his sons, with the ' officers, and with

* the mishty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

3 Then David the king stood up uponhis feet, and said. Hear me, ray brethren, and my people: As /or me, ^ I Aoti in mine heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for > the fbotetool of our God, and had made reedy Ibr the bnHding:

3 But God said unto me, > Thou shalt not boild a honse for my name, because thou host been a man of war, and hast shed > blood.

4 Howbeit the Lord Qod of Israel * chose me before all the house of my father to be kins over Israel for ever: for he bath chosen ' Judah to be the ruler: and of the house of Judah, " the house of my Ihther: and 'amon^ the sods of my father he Used me, to make ffleusff over all Israel.

5 ' And of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) ■ he hath chosen Solomon my son to rit upon the throne of the kingdom of tins Lord over laraeL

6 And he said unto me, * Solomon thy son. he ahall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my eon, and I will be his father.

7 Moreover, I will establish his kingdom for ever, * if he be ' constant to do my commandments, and my judgments, as at ttua day.

8 flow, therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congre£[ation of the Lord, aM in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye majr pos- ■ess this good land, and Ieav6 it for an inheritance for your diildren after you for ever.

9 ^ And thou, Solomon my son, * know thou the God of thy fiither, and serve him * with a

Verae 1, David anmMtd\ Thia refen to the penoiu, Iba namea and offioea of wboia we bare seen in the preceding chapter.

VeiwB% Dapid—»ioodupupmkU/Mi} He was now TOT old, and chiefly confined to his bec^ see 1 Eings i. 47. and, while he was addressing liis sod Solomoik oe coatiDoed on the bed: bur, when all the principal cobles of hie kiudom came beibre him, be rooeived atrengtb to arise •naaddreas^am, atandiitc oo hia feeu

Veraa 3. 7W aAott nS build a Aotue] Set 2 Sam. vii. 6, 13. and the ofasemiiooa at the end of that dtapter.

Verse 4. Over Itraetfor teer] The government should have no end, provide)] they continued to walk according to the commanaments of Qod; see ver. 7. The government as referring to Christ, xe, and will be, wilkout tnd.

Terse 10. His Lord fuSh Aotm. Out\ "The wow of tbe EfOrd hath duMen ihee." Targum.

Verse II, David gae» to Solomon — Ou pattern} He gttve him on ichnograph of the building, with elevations, •ections, and speeifications of every part; and all this be htmself received by inapiralioa from.God himself i see vet. i<- and 19. just as Hbaca bad received the plan of the Utmiaele..

Egantac, it not Hebrew, bid is supposed to be Persian,.aaiiM wort being found in Ezra iti. 19. In thia tongue V0L.I.-II6

Krfeet heart, and with a willing mindt for r the tRD searcheth all bearts, and underaiandetfa all the imaginations tha thoughta: ■ if dunt seek him, be will be foood of thee: bat if than forsake him, he will cast thee ofl' for ever.

10 Take heed now: ' for the Lean hath chosen thee to build a house for the wnetuary: be strong, and do »<..,. •

11 t Then David gave to Strfunon Ua son the pattern of the porch, and of the honm

thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of Uie inner ptiik lours thereof, and of the place of the merey-«eat,

12 And the pattern ' of all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and <^ fldl the chambers round about, ^ of the treasuries of the house of God, hnd of the treasuries of the dedicated thitiffe:

13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for aU the work or the aerviee w the house of the Loud, and for all the vessels of service in the bouse of the Lord.

14 Be gave of gold by weight for thine* m gold, for all instruments of all manner of service: silver also for all inatnuneots of sUver bj weight, all inrtruments o£ every kind or service:

15 Even the wei^t for the candlesUcks of gold, and for their Uonps of gold, by wekht for every candlestick, and for the lamps tbiBreof; and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

16 And by weight he gave goW for the tables of show-bread, for every table; and Ukewise sit ver for the tables of silver:

17 Also pure gold for the flesh-hooka, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin { and Ukeaise silver ny weight Sar every bum of sUver:

18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the • cherubim, that spread out their wines, and covered the ark of the covenant of

19 All this, said David. ' the Lobd made me understand in writing by hts band upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

compounded at »» ganas, to treasure up, and If sae, purSr A Ireamry fvr the vutt precUmt thing*.

Terse It Q/" gold by leeigkfl The quantity of gold which was to M ptit in each artMt.

Terse 16. fhr the &mdUaticlai Hvra was but «na chandelier in the tabernacle i there were /en in tlie temple. See 1 Kings vii. 49.

Terse 18. Ttu chariot ^ Ih* Aarubim\ "And the Agufe of Iba cbario^ like to tbo figure of the propitiatory, where are Itie figures of the golden cheruUro, extending their win^ ana covering tlie ark of the covenant of the LonL" Targum.

Terse 1^. Understand in wriliag} In some vision or ecata^, he had seen a regularly sketched-out phu^ whidl bad made so deep an impression on hia iliind| that be cotdd readily describe it to his son.

"That the architecture of the temple," says Dr. Dekney, "was of divine original I, for my piui, am fully satisfied from this passage; and ara eonnpiied in this opinioa hw fuiding by Vtlalpandus, that the Roman, at least the Qreak architecture is depved from this, as from its (buniain: and, in my humUe opinion, eves an infidel may easily believe these to be of divine original, inasmuch as (hey are (at least the latter is) found perfect in the tiorliest models; aor hath tlw utmost reach of human wisdom, invention, and industry, been ever able to iin|irove, or altar it, but to disaJvaul^, thiou{ih die course of to mauy ngea."

20 f AndDaTtdMudtoBobmaahiBBOD.iBe ■tronQf, and firood eoara^, and do it: fear not, aar u diemayed: for the Lord Ghid, »«n my Cbd, vdll be with thee; >■ he will not fkil thee, nor forsake thee, nntU thou hast fiotshed all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

21 Aad, behold, ' the courses of the priests ftnd the Levites, even they 9hall be viiththee for all the service of the house of Ood: and there «AaU be with thee, for aU manner of workmani^lp, ■'.every wiUing skilful man, for anr manner of service: also the princes and all the people wiU be wholly at thy commandment.

-pXjRTHERMORE, David the, ^^J^ king said unto all the congre^a- •— — tion, Solomon, my 'son, whom God alme hath chosen is yet i yoang and tender, and the work 19 great; for the palace m not for man, but for the Lord God.

2 Now, I have prepared with all my mt^ht for the house, of my God, the j^ld for thing» to he made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for thinn of braaa, the iron fiff lAiflg* of iron, and wood for things of wood: "onyx ttotfes. and $tonea to be set, glisterine atones, and of divers colours, and all manner 01 precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

3 Moreover, because I have set my offecticaiB to the hoase of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, vhicli I have ^en tt^the house of my Gtod, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy houee,

4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the fold of " Opbir, and seven thoxisand tfdents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the bouses withal,

8 The gold fbr tti'ngir irf* gold, and the silver

Tene 20. The Lokd Ood— my Ood, wiU b* wUk Am] *"n» Word of Ibe Lord my God will be (hy uaistailu'' Targvm.

Tern 21. BAold,0uamrM9^A4fri»^)'rhbpnuHM WBd the Levtte% the ounoiDg arliflete|MMl im ^noes of tba people, vill be at thy command. Tbum David bavioK asrigned Urn his work, aad deaeribed the manner in vhica it was to be done, ahow« him who wers to be hia anistanta in it; and eneonram him in the great undertakior.

Hen w« find pfeiT, «ood aetm, prodenca, zau for the piMie wellkr^ and OodPa ^oir, the atrongeet auaidiment tothe voTBhip of Jehovah, and ooneam fur ibeofdiaaodls of idigfon, all unttad t sod Solomoo baa hia dsnger, his do^, M>d his Intenat, plaoed before bim in dte truaat and most impreaiive lishL by hia T>ieua and sentlble fiuhar.

Terae 1. TTu folaet im not fariMm] " ITte palace is BOt prepaiad for the name of a eon of man, but for the name ai aie Wobd of the Lord God." Tiirgvni.

Terae 2. And marble Honat,'] w ^3m abney AaiA; which the Vulgate InuialatM Parium, Parian marble. Parot waa one of the Cyclade i>laod% and prodaeed the wtateet and Jhutt marble; that of which moat of the fineat worki of antiqui^ have been made. That the word ^laUh meana marble ia probable from the Chaldae, which has Tr^-vnTW ^jsn abney marmoraiyah, inarbU atenat. Joaephua aava, diat the temple was miilt of lai^ Uocka of white mania, fasantifolly poliahB^so aa to produce a moat apleodid appeanuoee. Jos. DtBtU..Aid. lib. V. e. B. a. 2.

Verae 6. 7o eenaecrate hia »orvice'\ ftikSdS femaleoAwufo, to fitl hia hand; to bring an offeringto the Lord.

Terae?. Of gMy Jive Ihmaand (0100*1 ^Themtfin Stmuand and tetenty-Jhe pmmdl^ Jiflem akUUng* tmd amenpenee halfpenny each, amount to tmntj/^t mil- Km*, tkree hundrea and eevenlv-eighi Oumaand. nine ktinaredandeixpottndefJlveAiuingt,MierMsig. If, widi Dr. Prideaux, we estimate the golden talent at upwarda of Mten AmhoikI pounds sterling, the value of theae Jlte for thing* ot sfiver, and for aU manAw of work to bemadeby the hands of artifioors. Aad 11^ then is wfllme * to consecrate his aerviee tUa day unto the Lord?

o JThw Pthe chief of the fathers and Miaee* of the tr&es of Israel, and the captains of thoDsands and of huDdreda, with * the nJers of tha kinjg's work, ofiered wiuin^j^,

-7 And gave for the service 'of the bottaeeT God. of gold, five thousand talents aad ten thonsana drams, and of silver, ten thousand talents: and of brass, eighteen thousand taieato; am (Hie hnndred tfaotuand talents troo.

8 And they with whom ^ectous stoDea wer« found gave them to the treaanre of thehonse of the Lord, by the hand of rJehiel the Gershonita.

9 Then the people rejoiced, for that the/ offered willinglf, because with perfect heart they * ofiered willingly to the Loan: and David the kingalso rejwed with great joy.

10 iTwherefbre David blessed the Loa» bftfore all the congrention: and David aaid. Meaaed be thou, Loan God « Israel our IiMber»flr ever and ever.

11 t Thine, O Lord, is the greatBesa, and power, and the glory, and the victory, aad dw majesty: for all thai i> in the heaven SM in the earth m fAtne; thine is the kingdom, O Lon^ and thou art exalted as head above all.

12 ■ Both riches and honour come of thee, aad thou reignest over aU; and m Uiine band v power and might; and in thine hand if w to make ereat, aad to give strength vnto afl.

14 But who am 1, 400 what is my peo^.lhail we should be ^ able to offer so willing alter Ais sort? for an things come of thee, and * of iUdb own have we given thee.

15 For ' we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our &thera: 'onr d^s on Uie earth are aa a ahadow, and tkere is naoa * abiding.

thotuand tAtoUa'wQt be much moie nimaiitfraWd 8M the notea eo Exodua zxr. zxxiz. BfatAaw xriii. K. aad Ibe calcubuiona at the end of the notes 00 2 Cbrtn. ix.

Brat*, eigbieeK thouaand talenU] Each tAx hmdrerf mdjyty-teven thouaand gndltt, amount to one Aamtrnt oito&mfy-ste Isn^ abaoa Jhoufrad wt^kt, sad ea* ^tMrltff*.

On* hundred thoutand taUnta qf troR.] Eadi aixkndred and J^fly-aeven thoaeand graina, amount to Jba thouaand, aeven hundred and mtt lone, ttse huaar^ might and a half.

Varaen. 71wt«, O Loan, ta Aa greaAuaa] Tlua fcne ia thua paiudoaaed by the Targvm: " TUie, O Lard, ia Ae magnlfleenee, (or thou has created the wand by great power; and by th^ miM haat led our falhera oat« Egypt; and with great ajgnaUiou hast canaed tbem 10 paa througli the Red aea. Triott bast af^teared ^larioualy on mount Sinai, with Iroopa of angela, in givutg law la people, "niou beat gotnadAemcforv over Amakk; ottr Sihon and Qg, king* of Canaan. By the spleodour c( thy majeaty ihou haat cauaed doe nm to atand atiU on eon, ana the moon in the valley of Ajalon, until tbf pwflfc the heuae of laraeL were avef^jcd of iheir enesMea. ill thinga that are in hevDcn arid earth are the voik af dff banda, and thou ruleet over and luaiaineei whaiaaevar m ia the heavens and in the eartfa. Thins, O Loi4 * ^ kingdom in ibefinnansntt and thou art exaUeddtan heavenly angela, and over aU who an conatkalad ndsa* upon earth.*'^ Targum.

16 O LoKD our Ood, all thii store that w« have prepared to build thee a boaae for thine holy name, eometk of thine hand, and i» all thine own.

17 I know also, my God, that thou ■ triest the heart, and ^ haat pleasure in uprifhtnesB. As tin ne, in the nprixbtness of mine oeart f have willingly offered all ttese tbings: and nowhaye I teen with Jo^ thy people, which are * present here to offer willingly unto thee.

18 O Lord Ood of Abraham, Isaac, and of lerael, our fathers, keep this for evw in the ima- CHMLtion of the tnougnts of the heart of thy tieople, and * prepare th«r heart unto thee: '

19 And * give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimoniea,and thy statutes, and to do all tkae things, and to baUd the paWBa, fiir the which 'I have made provision.

CO f And David said to all the eoneregation, Now ueas the Loan your Ood. And aU the congregaUon blessed the LQas Ood of their fothere, and bowed down their head*, and wmhiivea the LoBD, and diehing.

SI AndthwaacriGcedMcrificeanntotheLoED,. mi o^ed Domt-offerings unto Lord, on the mtvrow afldr that day, even a thousand bullooka, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their driak-offerings, and sacrifices in i^undaoee for all Israel:

Am wsn all tntr /tthertl Tbey were, u we vs, wp- |isrtcd If thy bounty, and tenants at will to thee.

Our osya on the earth are (u a aAorfowj Tbey sn eontioually £eUn.iHg,/ading, and pa$ting aieay. Tbiu h the piscs of oar iqiouroing; aod here we have no atAatanliaif ptrntxmm residence.

There u none abiding] However we nuty WMi to aettle -and remain in tbl* state of Aiii^ it is inponiUe; bocaitae vntj earthly form' » psMiwg swiftly away; all is iaastate ot revolutwo and decay: and Aere is- no abidii^, mMmrk, nn UMetoMon dial w« ihall be exempt from those Aamfem and ehaaeea to which our fiuhen were wibjeoted. ** As the ibadow id a bird flyioK in tbe sir ['ratt oofr] of heaven, nidi sis sur dayi unm tbe esrtb; nor is there any Amm to any ssa of man uitt hs shall Un fiir svsr."— TV-gwm.

Terse la. Keep IhU for «Der] All the good dispoeitkms which myself sod my peofrie have^ came from thee: continue to support and strengthen diem by cbe mne grace by which tbmr bsTC been inspired.

Verae 19. Ove* aitto SotrcMn — a ptrftd hear(\ be did t hut Solomon aluaed his mercies.

Terse 20. WwMmtd the Lord, and the JdngA They did reverenee to Ood ss the Su^renu RuUr, ua to the Um H his dmte.

Terse 21. With Ouir driTtk-^iferlngt} The Tar^m Mya, a tkmuand drtm/M^Mmga i makiiig these lUHOiou equal in number to tbe outer Oflcrings.

And «8cr{)lc(«] TtMos were p§a^^erinn, ot&red for ike peoplsi and on the flesh of which they icMted.

TerseZZ. Tfiey made Solonum—king the t^cand tivu\ Thajlr«<timeof hiesaeinting, sod beins proclaimed kinft «u whea his brother Ailanyah affeeted the throne; and Z»Mk, Nsthan, and Benatsh, swrintsd and proclsimed him in o hurry, sad without posnp. Ses 1 Eisgs i. 39. Now chat all is mist, sad DsTid his hAxr dead, for be was probably so at the thne of die second anointingi'they anointed and prodaiinsd him aiJradi, with doe cersmoniea, saorifieea, Ac

To'btUuekttfgwrmeri Tobeth6Ticegerantorde|)u^ of /eborehi wr Ood never gave up his of Kilig in IneL Hues oalled kings were only his lieotensnis: hsBoe tt is Mid, vsr. 23. thsi Solomon est on As ttrens ^ As It»rdt " king, tnslnad of David his Esther.

that day mth great gladnees. And they mada S<rfomoD the son of David king the eecooid time, and ( anmnted him onto tbe Lord to 6< the dtiief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

23 IF Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LoBD as king instead of David bis father, and prospered: and, all Israel obeyed h»m.

S4 And alt the princes, and the mightv men, and all the sons likewise of King David ^ Buhmitted ■ themselves unto Solomon the king.

85 And the Loan magniSed Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and ^ bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any kingbefore him in uraeL

26 f Thus DaWd the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

27 1 And the time that he reigned over Israel wot forty years; " seven years reigned he in Hebron, anid thirty and three years reigned he in

28 And he'died in a good oM age, °fdl of da^fl, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reined in his stead.

29 Now the acta of David the Mng, first and last, behold, they are written in the 'book ^of Samuel tbe seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in tbe book of Gad the seer,

30 With all his reigOj and his might, 'and the times that went over hun. and over Israel, and over all the kiogdoms of the countriee.

seen that putting the hand under the Otigh eeetionm arcu?ncirioni«) wai the form of taking an oath. See tbe note on Gen. xxiv. 9.

Verse 28. And he died\ David at hie death had every thine that bis heart could Tldi: \. K goodotd are; lived as long as living could' be deiirable, and having in the main enj^red gooa healih. 2, ShMefdaye; having lived tin he saw every thing &Kt he lived nr either accompUrfied or in a slate of forwardness. 8. /"Wi qf riehea t witnen tbe immense sums left for the temple. 4. J^l ^ konmirt having gained more renown than any crowned, hesd ever did, either before his time or since. Laurels that are freeh to the present hour.

Verse 29. Tne acta qf David^-Jrat and laa() Thoie which concerned him In prieale life, as well as those which few out of his regal government All these were written three eminent men, peraonally acouainted with him roueh the principal part of his life: tneee were Samuel, and Oad, the seero, and I^fathan, the prophet these writing! are all lost, except tbe partieulon intenpeiaed in the books of Samuel, Kmga, and (^rmuctea i nom irf which are the reeords mentioned here.

Vene 30. The timaa ^ want tmr him} Tbetranwc tionsof bisnigBi and tbe oocnnences and viciwitudes te his own kinsdom, ss well as those wbif^ kingdoms of Aaemntriet, i.e. in the stmroundingnaliuut in moat of which David had a ahsfe,' during his forty years' reign. Relative to the duiraeter of David, we a few te* marki in the note on 1 Kings iL 10, and see more at the end of the Paalma.

Dr. JMaamf gives a just view of bis cbaraeter in a few wordsi — "ToBUmupall: David was a tnie believer, a zealous sdorer of God, teadier of bis law and wuship, and iunirer of his praise! A glorious example^ a perpetual and ioexhauatible fountain of true piety. A consummats and unequalled beret s skilful and fortunate captain; a steady {latriot; a wise ruler | a bithful, generous and msgsanimous friwid; sod,vrbatiayetr&rer, anolesi^- erous and magnanimous enemy. A true penitent, a divine mudoian, a Miblime poet, and an inspired prophet By birth a peaaant; by merit a prinee I In youth a hero, in manhood a monarch, and in age a Mfni f The matter of Uriah sttdBath-iheba is his gresi but only Alof. There he sinned deeply; and no man ever suffered more in hia body, sool, aod domeatic aJSun than be did in consequenoe. His pannsnes was ss deq> and as extracvdinary ss hiserimsi and nothing could surpass both but that eternal mercy that took away tbe guilt, assuaged the sorrow, and restored this meat humbled tranwessor lo character, holinesi, and h^

BUooo, and tto cIMrf tta eanirtfUlon, |0 la Ohcoa, wttm WM thr taboaidi «f lb* l>a(d, Biid the lauMilui; ud Dm* hi oAm ■ Uowond Mitiiil IT

1mm uu and ''the Lokd his God wa» with L o^ji.m hitd and ' magnified him exceedingly.

2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to ' the captains of thousaads and of hundreds, aod to the judges, and to every governor of all Israel, the chief of the fathers.

3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that tea* at ■ Qtbeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of Qod, which Moaes, the servant dT the Lord, had made in the wildernees.

4 '' But the ark of God had David brought up from KirjiUh-jearini to the place vAic& David bad pr^ared fbr it: for lie nad pitched a tent lor it at Jertwalem.

5 Moreover, * the brazen altar, that ^ Bezaleti the son of Uri, the eon of Hur, had made, I he put before the tabernacle of the Lobd; and St^mott and the eoi^egation sought onto it.

6 And Solomon went up thither to the lH«zen altar before the Lord, which waa at the tabernacle of the cpngregation, and ^ offered a thousand barnt-ofiermg upon it

7 t >In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and aaid unto him, Aek what I bhall give

3 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me ^ to r^n in hia stead.

9 Now, O Lord C£>d, let thy promise unto David my fiither be estamished: " for thou hast

Vent 1. And Solomon &a ton tif David] verr beginning of diu book ■howa that k!■ a eonttmuUUm m the preeeaing^ and ihouM not be Aue liBnaally wparsted from it See the prtfaee to Ae First Booh.

Verse 2. Thm Sotomoa mtie] lliia h mppOTCd to have taken ptece in the second year of hie reign.

Vene 4. Bui the ark] The Utbemacle itnd the braxed altar remaioed atill at Gibeoa; but Darid bad bron^t away the arit oat of die tabnmaola, aodplaoed Hhi aiont at Jemadein; 2 Sam. vL % IT.

Tens 7. In mat nifM The nicht bllovtng the mwrifico. On Solomon'a cnofce, we the notes on 1 Ktnga iii. 5—16.

Veree 9. Lei thjfpromUe} yvn debarr^ta, thy word. TOmo ^Uhgomak, Tugum. It ii very remaikable, that when niher Ood or man is npnseotedas bavins spoken B«on£thentbeiKiunoinBpuftjrani,isnBedb7& 7brguttiMi but when vord is used personally, then be employs the noun tmro motmra, vnieh amieara to annmiotheAMfof Sl John, ohi#. i. 1, 4so. _,y7?i*V* *«' « ojid^ kmuM Ao'

10 rQive me now wisdom and kwnrledge, that I may ' go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, thul w so great?

11 ■ And God said to Solomon, Beeanse this was in thine heart, and thou biwt aot askad riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of tluoe enemies, neither yet bast asked ioof hSo; bat hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over nfaora I have made thee king,

12 Wisdom and kmnriedge is granted unto thee: and I will give thee riches, and weakh, and honour, such as * none- €>f the kings bare had that have been before thee, neatoer shall there any aAer thee have the like.

13 T Then Solomon came Jrom Um jomnteg to the high place that viae at Gibeon to immalem, from before the t^rnade of the edniEngation, and reigned over Israel.

14 'And Solomon gathered ehariota, and horsemen: and' he bad a thousand and fbor hundred chariots, and twelve thousand hanomen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

15 'And Uie Uam "made nivcr and giildat Jerusalem a* plenleoue as atones, and cedar trees made he as the sycaoMre trees that ore in the vale for abundance.

16 ^ And y Solomon had horaoe Iwoiigiit ««t of Egypt, and luien yarn: the king^ merehan received the linen yarn at a i^iee.

17 And they fetched up, and Imiuhc Ibrth out of Egypt a chariot for rix bnodred sAeftcj* of silver, and a horse for a hundred and t£tj: and so brought they oat horeee fbr all the kmgs of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, * Ey their meane.

Verse t& Unonyan} Sas Ae note on 1 Ki^ x. & '«dwi« tUs subieet is paitwalarly enained.

Terse 17. AkentJ^ a hmuM amdJUM Soi we take the shekel at utmost value at whidi A I rated, Atm thUHngwi then the pnee of a bme^ twonty-two pounda ten tkUHnr*, sterling.

"Hoses had enressly prohibiiod the mukiidriag af AorsM, DenL rrii. l6; fay which the future ktiv vaa far> Udden to establish a body of aKvaky, bocuas uus eouU not be eflboted vithont sending into Egypt, wilbwfcieh people Qod had forbidden any conirnunteatioo, as Am wouM be dangerous tn religioo. When fTnliMW bnl violated thio low, and mnltwlied borsea to nitiiws. I — iv. 16. it was bood attended with diosa teal that die law fontoM: for dda wiatat tt ».,

8 And Solomon told out threescore and ten tfaomand men to bear burdeos, and fonracore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thaasand and six hondred to oreraee them.

3 1f And SoIotBMi Mot to ■ Hnram the king of Tjrre, saying, ' As thoa dkUt deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build bim a hottie to dw«ll tfcereia, evm so deal vith me.