Ver. 1. And David assembled.] Here the holy penman returneth to the history, which he began to set forth. (1 Chronicles 23:1,2) And verily this speech of David’s should be the more set by, because it was one of his last— inter Davidis novissima -wherein he ordereth what he would have done after his death; and taketh care of posterity. Me mortuo terra igne misceatur, was a wild speech of a most wicked emperor. I could not but heartily affect the man, said Theodosius concerning Ambrose, because I saw him solicitous of the Church’s welfare after his decease, no less than he was wont to be while alive. And of his sons.] Or, And his sons; these were a part of the assembly. εμου θανοντος γαια μιχθετω πυρι.
Ver. 2. Then David the king stood up upon his feet.] To show his reverence to God, as Judges 3:20, and his good respect to the assembly, which was comitia totius regni, a parliament, wherein he was to be the speaker. Hear me, my brethren, and my people.] Praemittit exordiolum -not unlike that of Augustus to his soldiers, Audite senem iuvenes, quem iuvenem senes audierunt -wisely insinuating himself into their affections. As for me, I had in my heart.] See 1 Chronicles 17:1, &o. And for the foot stool,] i.e., For the ark, which is called God’s footstool, because under the cherubims, where God was said to sit as in a throne. See Psalms 99:5 132:7.
Ver. 3. But God said unto me, Thou shalt not.] The best are sometimes crossed in their desires, and must submit to God; going on to do their duty, though they should not have the fruit of it till they come to heaven; howbeit “in the doing”—not only for the doing—of God’s will, “there is great reward.” (Psalms 19:11) This, an ancient calleth Praemium ante praemium.
Ver. 4. To be king over Israel for ever.] That is, For a long time; and in regard of Christ, for ever. See Luke 1:32,33.
Ver. 5. For the Lord hath given me many sorts.] Nineteen we read of (1 Chronicles 3:1-9)
Ver. 6. For I have chosen him to be my son.] God saith the same in effect to all Christian princes; but then they must make it their care to build him a spiritual temple, &c.
Ver. 7. If he be constant.] Heb., Strong; for he shall be hard put to it. God’s promises are conditional. See on 2 Samuel 7:14. As at this day.] Solomon had been well instructed in the ways of God, both by father (Proverbs 4:4) and mother, (Proverbs 31:1) and while young he did God’s commandments and judgments, as is hinted in these words, “As at this day”; but he was not so constant.
Ver. 8. And in the audience of our God.] I exhort, or, beseech you. Keep and seek.] Keep what ye know already; and seek to be yet further instructed. By this latter word “seek,” tollit ignorantiam illam crassam, saith Vatablus, he striketh at affected ignorance.
Ver. 9. Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him.] Deum cognoscere et colere. Rightly to know and serve God is the whole duty of man, saith Lactantius; this, therefore, is fitly charged by dying David upon his dearest son Solomon. To any blind obedience God bindeth not his servants; as the Popish padres do their novices. With a perfect heart.] That there be no halving. And with a willing mind.] That there be no heaving, hucking, or shucking, as they say. All the imaginations of the thoughts.] Those very first motions of the mind, the principles of all practice. But if thou forsake him.] This maketh against those desperadoes who take liberty to live as they list, and then say for defence of their sinful practices, Si sum ex praedestinatis, quicquid faciam, perinde est.
Ver. 10. To build a house for the sanctuary.] Or, For sanctification: i.e., where God may sanctify his people in holy ordinances; and be sanctified by them in holy duties. (Leviticus 10:3)
Ver. 11. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern.] The platform of the temple, with the parts and partitions, the vessels, vestments, &c., all which he had foreframed in his mind, by the help of the Holy Spirit, (1 Chronicles 28:12) and set it down in a model, for Solomon’s use.
Ver. 14. He gave of gold by weight.] The vessels for the holy place were of gold, as those for the priests’ court were of silver. Now, like as in the temple there were some vessels of gold, and some of silver, and all had their weight, and their use; so in the Church of Christ there are diversity of vessels, and of gifts. (2 Timothy 2:20,21) Jun.
Ver. 16. For the tables of silver.] These, as also the silver candlesticks, were, likely, for the priests’ use in the courts and chambers.
Ver. 18. The chariot of the cherubims.] So called, because God sat between them, (Psalms 99:1) rode upon them; (Psalms 18:10) the angels—represented by those cherubims—are called the chariots of God; (Psalms 68:17) and the Hebrews have a saying, that such as saw God of old saw only Merehavah velo harocheb, the chariot in which God rode, but not the rider in it; some created image and glory testifying his presence they saw, but himself they saw not. It is a good note also that is given here by some expositors—viz., that by this chariot of the cherubims God gave his people to understand that his presence in the ark was not so fixed among them, but that he would leave them, and ride clean away from them, if they should thereunto provoke him by their sins. In the 9th, 10th, and llth chapters of Ezekiel, God maketh various moves: as first, From the cherubims in the oracle to the threshold; (Ezekiel 9:3) secondly, To the cherubims on the right side of the house; (Ezekiel 10:1) thirdly, To the east gate of the house and the first entrance into the temple; (Ezekiel 10:19) fourthly, To Mount Olivet, quite out of the city; -and (Ezekiel 11:23) then followed the fatal calamity of that state.
Ver. 19. To understand in writing.] Either of his own setting down, by divine direction; or else of God’s setting down, and sent him by an angel, or by some prophet. By his hand upon me.] As of old upon Moses. (Exodus 25:40)
Ver. 20. He will not fail thee, &c.] See on Joshua 1:5.
Ver. 21. Every willing and skilful man.] Will and skill are very requisite to the well-affecting of anything men go about.