Explanatory Notes upon the Old and New Testaments

Solomon's sacrifices, ver. 1-6. His prayer and God's answer, ver. 7-12.

The strength, wealth, and trade of Israel, ver. 13-17.

2. Spake - Concerning his intention of going to Gibeon, and that they should attend him thither.

4. The ark - He separated the ark from the tabernacle, and brought it to Jerusalem, where he intended to build a more noble and lasting habitation for it.

5. Sought - Sought the Lord and his favour by hearty prayers and sacrifices in the place which God had appointed.

8. To reign, &c. - Give me the spirit of my father David, that Israel may not suffer by the change. The eminency of those that went before us, and the obligation that lies upon us, to keep and carry on the good work they were engaged in, should quicken our prayers for wisdom and grace, that we may do the work of God in our day, as faithful as they did in theirs.

12. Neither &c. - Those that make this world their end, come short of the other, and frequently of this too. But those who make the other world their end, shall not only obtain that, but shalt have as much as is convenient of this world in their way.

Solomon appoints men to build the temple and his own house, ver. 1-2. His message to Huram, ver. 3-10. Huram's obliging answer, ver. 11-16.

1. His kingdom - A royal palace for himself and his successors.

5. Great - For though the temple strictly so called, was but small, yet the buildings belonging to it, were large and numerous.

6. Contain - When I speak of building an house for our great God, let none think I mean to comprehend God within it, for he is infinite. To sacrifice - To worship him there where he is graciously present.

12. Made heaven and earth - It seems Huram was not only a friend to the Jewish nation, but a proselyte to their religion, and that he worshipped Jehovah, the God of Israel, (who was now known by that name to the neighbour-nations) as the God that made heaven and earth, and the fountain of power as well as of being.

14. Of Daniel, &c. - A good omen of uniting Jew and Gentile in the gospel-temple.

17. The strangers - For David had not only numbered his own people, but afterward the strangers, that Solomon might have a true account of them, and employ them about his buildings. Yet Solomon numbered them again, because death might have made a considerable alteration among them since David's numbering.

18. Hewers in the mountains - He would not employ the free-born Israelites in this drudgery, but the strangers that were proselytes, who having no lands, applied themselves to trades, and got their living by their industry or ingenuity.

The place and time of his building the temple, ver. 1, 2. The dimension and ornaments of it, ver. 3-9. The cherubim in the most holy place, ver. 10-13. The veil, ver. 14. The two pillars, ver. 15- 17.

1. Moriah - It was the belief of the ancient Jews, that the temple was built on that very place, where Abraham offered up Issac.

3. Instructed - By David, and by the Spirit of God. The measure - According to the measure which was first fixed.

4. The height - This being a kind of turret to the building.

5. Greater house - The holy place, which was thrice as large as the holy of holies.

9. Nails - Each of the nails, screws, or pins, by which the golden plates were fastened to the walls, weighed, or rather was worth, fifty shekels, workmanship and all. Upper chambers - Rather, the roof.

10. Image work - Or, of moveable work, not fixed to the mercy- seat, as the Mosaical cherubim, but in a moving posture. It seems, they were designed to represent the angels, who attend the Divine Majesty.

13. Inward - Hebrew. towards the house, that is, the most holy house.

14. The veil - The inner veil before the most holy place. This denoted the darkness of that dispensation and the distance at which the worshippers were kept. But at the death of Christ this veil was rent; for thro' him we are brought nigh, and have boldness, or liberty, not only to look, but to enter into the holiest.

17. Jachin - That is, He shall establish. Boaz - That is, In it is strength.

The brazen altar, sea and lavers, ver. 1-5. The golden candlesticks and tables, ver. 7, 8. The doors overlaid with brass, the vessels of the altar, and other brass work, ver. 9-18. The golden altar of incense with its appurtenances, ver. 19-22.

7. Their form - The old form which God prescribed to Moses.

8. Ten tables - Whereon the shew-bread was set, ver. 19. Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it. As the house was enlarged, so was the provision.

16. His father - He is so called because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him: it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name.

20. The manner - According to the prescription of God to Moses.

22. Of gold - In part; they were made of wood, but covered with golden plates.

Solomon brings the dedicated treasures into the house, and the ark into the sanctuary, ver. 1-10. While the priests and Levites sing praise, the glory of God fills the house, ver. 11-14.

1. The gold - The remainder of those vast sums mentioned, 1 Chron. xxii, 14.

5. The ark - The ark was a type of Christ, and a token of the presence of God. That gracious promise, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, does in effect bring the ark into our religious assemblies, if we claim it by faith and prayer. And this we should be earnest for: the temple itself, if Christ leave it, is a desolate place. Those &c. - As many of them as were fit for use, it is probable, were still used. The rest were carefully laid up, as monuments of antiquity.

9. To this day - When this history was first written; not when it was reviewed by Ezra: for after the return from Babylon, neither staves nor ark were any more seen.

11. By course - According to David's appointment, 1 Chron. xxiv, 1-31, xxv, 1-22, which was only for the ordinary service, but in extraordinary solemnities, such as this, they all came together.

14. Glory of the Lord - And this beautified it more than all the gold with which it was overlaid, or the precious stones with which it was garnished. Yet even that was no glory, in comparison of the glory of the gospel-dispensation.

Solomon declares his intent in building the house, ver. 1-11. His prayer of dedication, ver. 12-42.

1. Thick darkness - He has indeed made darkness his pavilion. But let this house be the residence of that darkness. It is in the upper world that he dwells in light, such as no eye can approach.

9. But thy son, &c. - Thus one sows, and another reaps. And let not the wisest of men, think it any disparagement to pursue the good designs which those that went before them had laid.

14. O Lord, &c. - By this prayer the temple of Solomon is made a figure of Christ, the great Mediator thro' whom we are to offer up all our prayers, and to expect all God's favours, and to whom we are to have an eye in everything wherein we have to do with God.

21. And when they shall, &c. - He asks not, that God would help them without their praying for themselves, but that God would help them, in answer to their prayers. Even Christ's intercession does not supersede, but encourage our supplications.

41. Arise - O thou that sittest in the heavens, arise from the throne of thy glory, and come down into this place, which thou hast appointed for thy constant habitation, from which thou wilt not remove, as formerly thou hast done, from place to place. And the ark - Thou in the ark. Thy strength - Which is the sign and instrument of thy great power put forth from time to time on the behalf of thy people. Salvation - Let them be encompassed on every side with thy protection and benediction.

42. Thine anointed - Of me, who by thy command was anointed the king and ruler of thy people: do not deny my requests, nor send me from the throne of thy grace with a dejected countenance. The mercies - Those which thou hast promised to David and to his house for ever. And thus may we plead, with an eye to Christ, who is called David, Hosea iii, 5. Lord, remember his merits, and accept of us, on the account of them. Remember the promises of the everlasting covenant, which are called the sure mercies of David, Isaiah lv, 3. This must be all our desire, all our hope, all our prayer, and all our plea; for it is all our salvation.

God answers by fire, the people worship, ver. 1-3. Solomon's sacrifices, ver. 4-7. After keeping the feast he sends the people away, ver. 8-11. God appears to him in a vision, ver. 12-22.

1. The fire &c. - In token of God's acceptance of his prayer. The surest evidence of God's acceptance of our prayers is the descent of his holy fire upon us. As a farther token that God accepted Solomon's prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the house; the heart that is filled with an holy awe and reverence of the divine glory, to which God manifests his greatness, and (which is no less his glory) his goodness, is thereby owned as a living temple.

3. With their faces - Thus expressing their awful dread of the Divine Majesty, their chearful submission to the Divine authority, and the sense they had of their utter unworthiness to enter into his presence. Upon - The cloud first came down upon the house, and then entered into the house, and was seen both within it by the priests, and without it by the people.

6. David praised - For David composed the Psalms or hymns, and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instrumental music to be joined to their voices.

16. This house - There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon.

Solomon's buildings, ver. 1-6. His workmen and officers, ver. 7-10. He settles his wife, ver. 11. Fixes the method of the temple service, ver. 12-16. His trade, ver. 17, 18.

11. The house - He built this house for her; because the ark was now in the house of David, which therefore ought to be kept pure and free from the very danger and appearance of pollution.

14. Man of God - A prophet inspired by God in these matters, whose commands therefore are the commands of God.

16. Prepared - All the materials were procured, and in all points fitted and compleated before-hand.

The queen of Sheba visits Solomon, ver. 1-12. The riches and splendour of his court, ver. 13-28. The conclusion of his reign, ver. 29-31.

8. For the Lord - In the Lord's name and stead, in a special manner, because he sat in God's own throne, and ruled over God's peculiar people, and did in an eminent manner maintain the honour of God in his land, and in the eyes of all the world. Those mercies are doubly sweet, in which we can taste the kindness and good will of God as our God.

12. Besides - Besides what he gave her of his royal bounty, as is expressed, 1 Kings x, 13, which was in compensation for her presents.

23. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon -All in those parts of the world.

29. Iddo - This, and the other prophets mentioned, were also historians, and wrote annals of their times; out of which these sacred books were taken, either by these, or other prophets.

31. And Solomon slept - We have here Solomon in his throne, and Solomon in his grave; for the throne could not secure him from the grave. Here is he stripped of his pomp, and leaving all his wealth and power, not to one whom he knew not whether he would be a wise man or a fool; but one he knew would be a fool! This was not only vanity, but vexation of spirit.

The people request Rehoboam to ease their grievances, ver. 1-5. Rehoboam rejecting the old mens counsel, by the advice of the young men answers them roughly, ver. 6-15. Ten tribes revolt, ver. 16-19.

4. Grievous - It is probable, when Solomon had declined from God, that God left him to himself to act thus impolitically.

7. If thou be kind, &c. - Moderate counsels are generally best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Good words cost nothing but a little self-denial, and yet they purchase great things.

16. See to thine own house - When public affairs are in a ferment, violent proceedings do but make ill worse. Many have been driven to the mischief they did not intend, by being too severely dealt with.

Rehoboam is forbidden to fight against Israel, ver. 1-4. He secures the two tribes, ver. 5-12. The priests and Levites resort to him, ver. 13-17. His wives and children, ver. 18-23.

3. Son of Solomon - Intimating, that this was determined for the sin of Solomon, and therefore could not be reversed.

5. Built - Repaired, enlarged, and fortified them. They were built before.

14. Cast them off - They would not suffer them to instruct the Israelites in the worship of God, nor to go up to Jerusalem to worship in their courses: and these priests would not join with them in the worship of the calves, as they were commanded to do; and therefore they, willingly forsook all their patrimonies and possessions for God's sake. No secular advantages whatsoever should detain us there, where we are in danger of making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience.

15. High places - Or, for the high places, both for the devils (the Baals, or false gods, which divers of his people worshipped, whom he encouraged to do so, giving them liberty to do anything but to serve God at Jerusalem) and for the calves. So he erected two sorts of high places, some for Baal, and some for the true God, whom be pretended to worship, in and by the calves.

16. Set their heart - Such as loved and feared God in truth.

17. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah - Not only by the addition of so many persons to it: but by their piety and prayers they procured a blessing upon the kingdom which was a sanctuary to them. They made him strong three years; for so long he served God; but when he forsook God, none could strengthen him. We retain our strength as long as we cleave to God and our duty, and no longer. And Solomon - This honourable mention of Solomon, as a pattern of piety, is a considerable evidence of his true repentance before his death.

22. Ruler - He declared him his successor, and gave him the dominion over, his brethren.

23. Dispersed - Lest his other sons should after his death unite together against Abijah, he wisely dispersed them into distant places.

Rehoboam forsaking God is oppressed by Shishak, ver. 1-4. He humbles himself, and is preserved in his kingdom, but spoiled of his treasures, ver. 6-12. His character and death, ver. 13-16.

1. And all Israel - So called, because they forsook God, as Israel had done.

2. Fifth year - Presently after the apostacy of the king and people, which was in the fourth year.

3. Lubims - A people of Africk bordering upon Egypt. Sukkiims - A people living in tents, as the word signifies; and such there were not far from Egypt, both in Africk and in Arabia. Ethiopians - Either those beyond Egypt, or the Arabians.

7. Some deliverance - I will give some stop to the course of my wrath, which was ready to be poured forth upon them to their utter destruction. Those who acknowledge God is righteous in afflicting them, shall find him gracious.

8. May know - That they may experimentally know the difference between my yoke and the yoke of a foreign and idolatrous prince.

12. Went well - The began to recruity themselves, and regain some degree of their former prosperity.

14. Did evil - Or, settled not, although he humbled himself, for a season, yet he quickly relapsed into sin, because his heart was not right with God.

Abijah sets the battle in array against Jeroboam, ver. 1-3. He declares the justice of his cause, ver. 4-12. Trusts in God and gains the victory, ver. 13-20. His wives and children, ver. 21. 22.

5. Of salt - By a perpetual covenant.

8. Golden calves - There is that among you which may damp your confidence: you worship those images which God abhors.

9. Consecrate - To make himself a priest.

10. The Lord - Hebrew. Jehovah, the only true God. We - Maintain his worship which you have rejected.

11. Pure table - Made of pure gold, Exod. xxv, 23, 24, he saith table and candlestick, though there were ten of each, because ordinarily there was but one of each used at a time for those uses. We keep - Perhaps he flattered himself, that his keeping up the external worship of God would make satisfaction for the errors of his life.

12. Trumpets - Upon the sounding whereof God hath solemnly promised to assist his people, Num. x, 9. The Lord - You have not only us for your enemies, but God, even the God whom your fathers served. It is folly to fight against the God of almighty power: but it is treachery and base ingratitude, to fight against your father's God.

13. Jeroboam - While Abijah was discoursing, Jeroboam takes the advantage of it to lay an ambush. It does not appear that he made any answer to all that Abijah said. The longest sword he thinks will determine the matter, not the better cause.

15. Gave a shout - It is unspeakable comfort, that no stratagem or ambush can cut off our communication with heaven. To the cry of prayer they added the shout of faith, and so became more than conquerors.

20. The Lord struck him - He escaped the sword of Abijah: but God struck him: there is no escaping his sword.

21. Married - Not after this victory, for he died presently after it, but in the whole time of his life.

The piety of Asa, ver. 1-5. His policy, ver. 6-8. His victory over the Ethiopians, ver. 9-15.

1. Quiet - There was no open war, but there were private hostilities between his and Baasha's subjects.

6. The land had rest - Those have rest indeed, to whom God gives rest; peace indeed, to whom Christ gives peace. We find by experience, it is good to seek the Lord. While we pursue the world, we meet with nothing but vexation.

7. Before us - In our power.

9. Ethiopian - Or, the Arabian, as the Hebrew word Cush is commonly used: these being much nearer to Asa than the Ethiopians.

11. Let not man prevail - If he prevails against us, he prevails, as it were, against thee; because thou art our God. And we rest on thee, and go forth in thy name, which thou hast encouraged us to do.

12. Smote - With terror, and an unaccountable consternation.

14. Smote the cities - because they had joined, with Zerah in this war.

God's message to Asa, ver. 1-7. Idols removed and the spoil dedicated to God, ver. 8-11. Judah makes a covenant with God, ver. 12-15. Asa removes his mother, destroys her idol, and brings the dedicated things into the temple, ver. 16-18. He has great peace, ver. 19.

1. Spirit of God - Both to instruct him what to say, and to enable him to say it plainly and boldly.

3. Now Israel - They have long lived without the found knowledge and worship of the true God. Israel is here understood of the whole nation of Israel in former times, and especially in the times of the Judges: for then many times they were in a great measure, without God and his law, and teaching priests, as plainly appears from the book of the Judges; they were brought to all the exigencies and calamities following; and they sometimes turned to the Lord, and he was found of them.

5. In those times - When Israel lived in the gross neglect of God and his law. No peace - Men could not go abroad about their private occasions without great danger; as it was in the days of Shamgar, Judg. v, 6.

6. And nation, &c. - One part of the people of Israel destroyed the other by civil wars. As all Israel are called a nation, so the several tribes of them are sometimes called nations.

7. Be strong - Go on resolutely to maintain God's worship and to root out idolatry, as you have begun to do; for this is the only method of preserving yourselves from such calamities as your predecessors have felt.

8. Of Oded - Of Azariah, ver. 1, who was also called by his father's name Oded.

12. Into covenant - The matter of this covenant was nothing but what they were before obliged to. And tho' no promise could lay any higher obligation upon them, than they were already under, yet it would help to increase their sense of the obligation, and to arm them against temptations. And by joining all together in this, they strengthened the hands of each other

15. Rejoiced at the oath - The times of renewing our covenant with God, should be times of rejoicing. It is an honour and happiness to be in bonds with God. And the closer, the better.

Asa hires the Syrians to invade Israel, ver. 1-6. Puts the prophet who reproved him for it in prison, ver. 7-10. His sickness, death and burial, ver, 11-14.

1. Of the reign - Or, of the kingdom of Asa, that is, of the kingdom of Judah, which was now Asa's kingdom; or from the time of the division of the two kingdoms. Rehoboam reigned seventeen years, Abijah three years, Asa had now reigned fifteen years, all which put together, make up the thirty five years mentioned chap. xv, 19, and in the next year Baasha wars against him; and the ground of the war was the defection of many of his subjects to Asa, chap. xv, 9.

7. Escaped - And so reserved to be a scourge to thy kingdom and posterity: whereas if he had joined with Baasha against thee, thou shouldst have overthrown them both, and prevented all that mischief which that monarch will do to thy family.

8. Lubims - Either, the Lybians in Africa; or another people, possibly descended from them, but now seated in some part of Arabia.

9. Done foolishly - It is a foolish thing to lean on a broken reed, when we have the rock of ages to rely upon. Perfect - Upright and sincere, as thine is not. He was sincere in the general course of his life, but some particulars, whereof this is one, his heart did not perfectly cleave to God.

12. Sought not - He did not humble himself before God, but put his confidence in the skill and faithfulness of his physicians. His making use of physicians was his duty, but his trusting in them, and expecting that from them, which was to be had from God only, was his sin and folly. The help of every creature must be used, with an eye to the creator, and in dependence on him, who makes every creature that to us which it is, without whom the most skilful and faithful are physicians of no value.

14. Burning - Of precious spices; thereby testifying their respect to him notwithstanding his miscarriages.

Jehoshaphat is established in his kingdom, ver. 1-3. His piety, ver. 4-6. He sends Levites to teach Judah, ver. 7-9. His influence over his neighbours, ver. 10, 11. His greatness, captains and armies, ver. 12-19.

3. Sought not, &c. - It is true, he recovered from that fall. "Yet perhaps, says Mr. Henry, he never, while he lived, fully retrieved the spiritual strength he lost by it."

5. Brought presents - As subjects in those times used to do to their kings, as a token of their respect and subjection to them.

6. Lifted up - Above all discouragements, and fears. He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways. Groves - Those wherein idols were worshipped, and though Asa had done this before, yet either he did not do it thoroughly; or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones, in the latter part of his reign, when he grew more infirm in body, and more remiss in God's cause.

7. To teach - To inform the people of their duty, and of the king's pleasure, as Judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes in the king's name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God, which were the municipal laws of that land: the particular explication and enforcement whereof, they left to the Levites and priests here following, who were sent for this end, and accordingly taught the people, ver. 9.

9. And they taught, &c. - And these itinerant Judges and itinerant preachers together, Mr. Henry observes were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judah.

10. Fear fell - Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him, for even the Heathens could not but observe, that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, according as they served God or forsook him.

13. Business - To repair and fortify them, and furnish them with provisions: and to purge out all their relicks of idolatry and injustice.

19. Waited - These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries: whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands, and to raise, and bring in all, or part of their forces, to the service of the king as need required. A vast number for so small a compass of ground, to furnish out and maintain. But we may consider, that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number; that there had now been a long peace; that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God. They were doubtless dispersed all the country over, every one residing on his own land: only they were ready at call, whenever there was occasion.

Jehoshaphat joins affinity with Ahab, and consents to go with him to Ramoth-gilead, ver. 1-3. The false prophets promise them success, ver. 4-11. Micaiah foretells the death of Ahab, ver. 6-27. Jehoshaphat hardly escapes, ver. 28-32. Ahab slain, ver. 33, 34.

1. With Ahab - For Joram's eldest son married Athaliah, Ahab's daughter.

4. Inquire, &c. - This we should do, whatever we undertake, by particular, believing prayer, by an unbiased consulting of the scriptures and our own consciences, and by a close regard to the hints of providence.

22. Lying spirit, &c. - See the power of Satan! One lying spirit can make four hundred lying prophets. And thus he frequently becomes a murderer by being a liar, and destroys men by deceiving them.

26. This fellow, &c. - How frequently has this been the lot of faithful ministers, to be hated and ill treated, merely for being true to God: and just and kind to the souls of men! But that day will declare who is in the right, and who is in the wrong, when Christ appears to the unspeakable consolation of the persecuted, and the everlasting confusion of their persecutors.

31. Cried out - He cried out, either to his friends to help, or to his enemies, to let them know, he was not the king of Israel: or to God, and not in vain; for he moved the captains to depart from him. Many are moved in a manner unaccountable both to themselves and others; but an invisible power moves them.

34. He died - What can hurt those whom God will protect? And what can shelter those whom God will destroy? Jehoshaphat is saved in his robes; Ahab is killed in his armour!

Jehoshaphat is reproved by a prophet, ver. 1-3. He reforms the kingdom, ver. 4. Gives instructions to the itinerant Judges, ver. 5-7. And to the supreme court at Jerusalem, ver. 8-11.

2. Therefore - Therefore God will chastise thee for this miscarriage. Which he did partly by stirring up the Moabites, and others to invade him, chap. xx, 1, partly by permitting his eldest son Jehoram to kill all his brethren, chap. xxi, 4, and principally by bringing that almost general destruction upon his grand- children by Jehu, 2 Kings ix, 27; x, 13, 14, which was the fruit of his alliance with Ahab.

3. Good things - Good marks proceeding from an honest heart; which God more regards than this particular error: and therefore though he will chasten thee, yet he will not utterly destroy thee.

4. Through - Through the whole kingdom, whereof these were the two bounds. And brought - Such of them as had revolted from God to idols, he reclaimed by his counsel and example, and by the instructions of the Levites and priests, whom he carried with him. Many, probably, had revolted to idolatry, when they saw their king so intimate with idolaters. Therefore he thought himself doubly obliged to do all he could to reduce them. If we truly repent of sin, we shall do our utmost to repair the damage we have done to religion, or the souls of others.

6. The Lord - You represent God's person to whom judgment belongeth, you have your commission from God, and not from man only; and your administration of justice is not only for man's good, but also for God's honour and service. With you - Both to observe your carriage, and to defend you against all those enemies whom the impartial exercise of justice may provoke.

7. Wherefore - And therefore you who are in God's stead, and do his work, and must give an account to him, must imitate God herein.

8. The fathers - Persons of other tribes eminent for their dignity, ability and integrity. But whether these persons made up one court, called the Sanhedrim, by which all causes ecclesiastical and civil were decided; or there were two distinct courts, the one ecclesiastical, consisting of the priests and Levites; the other civil, consisting of the chief of the fathers of Israel, it is not easy to determine. The Lord - For matters concerning the laws and worship, of God. Controversies - For matters of difference between man and man. When - When Jehoshaphat and his company were returned to Jerusalem, he made this order concerning establishing Judges there.

10. Blood - This refers to Deut. xvii, 8, between the blood of the person slain, and the blood of the man-slayer. All the cities of refuge, except Hebron, now belonged to the kingdom of Israel, so that the man-slayer now usually fled to the courts of the temple, or the horns of the altar. And therefore the trial of these, was reserved for the court at Jerusalem. Law, &c. - When any debates shall arise about the meaning of any of God's laws. Warn - Ye shall not only give a righteous sentence for what is past, but ye shall admonish the offender, and others, to take better heed for the future.

11. Over you - Shall be your president. Matters of the Lord - In Spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters. Ruler - The prince, or chief ruler, under the king, of the tribe of Judah. The king's matters - For civil causes, or controversies either between the king and his people; or between subject and subject, which may be called the king's matters, because it was a principal part of his office to see them justly decided. The Levites - Shall be at your command to see your just sentences executed; which work was fitly committed to the Levites, as persons who might add their instructions to the corrections, and might work the guilty to an acknowledgement of their fault and a submission to their punishment. The Lord - Shall protect and bless good Judges.