“Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.”
Tender, not so much in years, for he was 22, but in comparison with David, and with reference to so great a work. (Menochius)
“Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.”
Onyx, or “emeralds.” (Calmet) — Septuagint, “soom,” form the Hebrew shoham. — Alabaster. Hebrew puc. (Haydock) — The dark paint used for the eyes, has the same name, 4 Kings ix. 30., and Jeremias iv. 30. Yet the stibium or stimmi, or alabaster, mentioned by Pliny, ([Natural History?] xxxiii. 6.) was of a sliver colour, but not transparent. The stone here specified was probably alabaster, as it was used for the pavement. There is a very fine species at Damascus, and in Arabia, which was much sought after to decorate buildings. (Calmet) — Chaldean has “emeralds.” Septuagint, “stones of perfection, rich and various, and every precious stone, and much Parion.” (Haydock) — But [in] Isaias liv. 11, they translate the same term, “carbuncle.” (Calmet) — The stone might resemble the agate, which is beautifully shaded with clouds and other fanciful figures. (Tirinus) — Paros: this is taken from the Septuagint. Hebrew has simply, “and stones of ssiss.” (Haydock) — Whether it denote the isle of Chio, or that of Chitis, in the Red Sea, the former famous for marble, and the latter for the topaz; or it may refer to Sais, a city of Egypt, which had most beautiful porphyry. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxvi. 7., and xxxvii. 8.) — But Paros, one of the Cyclades, was most renowned for its white marble. (Pliny xxxvi. 5.) — Josephus (Jewish Wars vi. 6.) informs us, that the temple was built of large white marble stones; so that it appeared, at a distance, to be covered with snow. (Calmet)
“Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,”
Own. What he had already vowed, he esteemed no longer his. (Worthington) — Temple. Hebrew, “houses,” including the various apartments belonging to the temple. The sum which David had formerly set apart out of the spoils of war, &c., amounted to 825,000,000l. What he now adds, is 16,125,000l. sterling, according to Brerewood, who deems the sums exorbitant; and others have suspected that there is a mistake in the former numbers. We have seen with what foundation, chap. xxii. 14. David was so convinced, that the sum which he had been able to collect was too small, that he exhorted the princes to contribute, with all their power, and set them this noble example, which they endeavoured to imitate. (Haydock) — He had collected some of the gold of Ophir, which was esteemed the best. (Calmet) See 3 Kings ix. 28. (Menochius) — We have before remarked, that Solomon went beyond the expectations of his father, and used no silver.
“The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD? consecrate his service: Heb. fill his hand”
Fill his hand, is an expression applied to priests, by which David intimates, that any one may now offer a species of sacrifice to the Lord, Judges vii. 5., and Exodus xxxii. 29. (Calmet) (Menochius) — He wishes them to act with generosity. (Haydock)
“Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,”
Possessions, mentioned [in] chap. xxvii. 25.
“And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.”
Solids. Septuagint, “pieces of gold;” chrusous. Hebrew adarcnim, which Protestants render “drachms,” (Haydock) after the Syriac, &c. Others think that the Darics, used in Persia, are meant, though they did not exist in David’s time. Esdras might reduce the money to correspond with the coin with which his countrymen were then acquainted, 2 Esdras vii. 70. (Pelletier) — The Daric was equivalent to the golden sicle, which was only half the weight of one of silver, though this is not certain. (Calmet) — A solid was only the sixth part of an ounce, whereas the sicle weighed half an ounce, or four drachms. — Talents were always of the same weight, 125 Roman pounds. (Menochius)
“And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.”
Gersonite; who, with his brethren, was treasurer, chap. xxvi. 22.
“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.”
Willingly. Their disposition was perfect: for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians ix. 7. (Calmet)
“Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.”
From. Septuagint, “from age to age;” (Pagnin, &c.) that is, throughout eternity: (Menochius) “for ever and ever.” (Protestants) Eternity has no parts. (Haydock)
“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.”
Magnificence. Thee we ought to magnify. David uses many words to express the sentiments of his grateful soul. (Menochius)
“Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”
Thine. Hebrew and Septuagint, “of thee.” (Haydock) — Greatness. Hebrew, “to magnify and strengthen all.” (Menochius) — Our riches are thy gifts; and to thee we return a part, with gladness.
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. be able: Heb. retain, or, obtain strength of thine: Heb. of thine hand”
Promise. Hebrew, “to offer so willingly in this manner?” (Haydock) — He is astonished at the rich display of gifts: but acknowledged that all was originally sent by God. In the same sentiments, we say in the mass, “We offer unto thee of thy own presents and gifts;” or, as the Greek expresses it, ta sa apo ton son. (Calmet)
“For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. abiding: Heb. expectation”
Strangers. We have nothing but what we have received from thee; and for how short a time! (Calmet) — No stay. Hebrew, “none abiding, (Haydock; or) no hope” of being able to escape death, (Calmet) when we must leave all. How happy, therefore, are those who sent their treasures before them! (Haydock) — All are pilgrims, with respect to heaven, Hebrews xiii. (Worthington)
“I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. present: Heb. found”
Simplicity. Hebrew, “uprightness.” Septuagint, “justice;” (Haydock) a pure intention, which our Saviour styled a single eye, Matthew vi. 22. (Tirinus)
“O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: prepare: or, stablish”
This. Hebrew, “keep this for ever, in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and direct their heart unto thee. Preserve these good dispositions, which thou hast given them.” (Calmet)
“And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.”
Then is not in Hebrew or Septuagint. (Haydock) — The same term is used, to express the outward adoration which they shewed to God, and the civil respect which was due to the king: pari gestu, says Grotius, animo diverso. (Calmet) — How then will Protestants prove that we are guilty of idolatry, when we bow down before the cross, &c., unless they pretend to know the secrets of hearts? Protestants, they “bowed down their heads, (Septuagint, knees) and worshipped the Lord and the king.” (Haydock) — The exterior set was the same, but the intention determined the application. See Exodus xx. (Worthington)
“And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:”
And with. Hebrew and Septuagint, “and their sacrifices of wine and victims, (or peace-offerings, to be eaten by the people.; Calmet) in abundance for all Israel.” (Haydock)
“And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.”
The Lord, at Jerusalem, (Menochius) where the ark was then kept. (Haydock) — Second time: the first had been done with too much precipitation, in consequence of the attempt of Adonias; (3 Kings i. 39.; Tirinus) or this took place after the death of David, that his successor might be invested with full power, (Grotius) and be acknowledged by all. (Haydock) — Priest. This at least only took place after the death of David, when Abiathar fell into disgrace, 3 Kings ii. 35. Both prince and priest must act by God’s authority; and those who resist them, resist God himself, Romans xiii. 1. (Calmet) — They are ministers of the Lord. (Haydock)
“And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. submitted: Heb. gave the hand under Solomon”
Gave. Hebrew, “placed their hands upon Solomon.” Septuagint, “were subject to him.” (Calmet) — The latter words in the Vulgate explain the meaning of the ceremony. (Menochius) — It seems to have been similar to that used when Abraham required an oath of his servant, Genesis xxiv. 2. Vassals placed their hands within those of their Lord, under whom they hold lands; (Calmet) and the descendants of the Germans testify their submission, by putting their hands between a person’s knees. — The nobles took the oath of fidelity to Solomon, by some such method. (Calmet)
“Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, book: or, history: Heb. words”
Gad, the seer “of David,” as he is sometimes styled. These three were well acquainted with David, (Calmet) and wrote the two first books of Kings; (Haydock) or at least those books are compiled from their memorials, (Calmet) if their works be lost, (Menochius) which is uncertain. (Worthington)
“With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.”
Under him in various tribulations, towards the end of his reign. (Vatable, &c.) — Those prophets recorded not only what regarded David, (Haydock) but also what happened of consequence, in other nations, with which he had any connections. — Of the. Syriac and Arabic, “of his land, or among the kings of his race.” (Calmet) — David reduced under his dominion not only the nations which dwelt in Chanaan, but all those which had been promised to Israel. (Haydock)