and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed; for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

21 And, behold, the courses "of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee, for all manner of workmanship, every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly rat thy commandment.

CHAPTER XXIX.

David had said what he had to say to Solomon. But he had something more to say to the congregation before he parts with them. I. He presses them to contribute according to their ability, toward the building and furnishing of the temple, v. 1-5. I. They made their presents accordingly with great generosity, v, 6-9. III. David offered up solemn prayers and praises to God, upon that occasion, v.

colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

3 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,

4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: 5 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?

great joy and inagnificence, v. 22-25. V. David, soon after this, finished his course,. 26-30. And it is hard to say which shines brighter here, the setting sun, or the rising sun.

FU

URTHERMORE, David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom God alone hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

2 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

Heb. 13.5. n c. 24-25. o Ex. 35. 25, 26. 36. 1, 2. Rom. 13. 1. p Tit. 3. 1. 1 Kings 3. 7. c. 22. 5. Prov. 4. 3. b Ex. 28. 20. 39. 6, &c. Is. 54. 11, 12. Rev. That they might not be made any less than the patterns, he weighed out the exact quantity for each vessel, both of gold and silver, v. 14. In the tabernacle there was but one golden candlestick, in the temple ten, (1 Kings 7. 49,) beside silver ones, which it is supposed, were hand candlesticks, v. 15. In the tabernacle there was but one table; but in the temple, beside that on which the show-bread was set, there were ten others, for other uses, (2 Chr. 4. 8,) beside silver tables. For, this house being much larger than that, it would look bare if it had not furniture proportionable. The gold for the altar of incense, is particularly said to be refined gold, (v. 18,) purer than any of the rest; for that was typical of the intercession of Christ, than which nothing is more pure and perfect.

3. Directions which way to look for help in this great undertaking. "Fear not opposition, fear not the charge, care, and trouble, fear not miscarrying in it, as in the case of Uzza; fear not the reproach of the foolish builder, that began to build, and was not able to finish. Be not dismayed; (1.) God will help thee, and thou must look up to him in the first place; (v. 20,) The Lord God, even my God, whom I have chosen and served, who has all along been present with me, and prospered me, and to whom, from my own experience of his power and goodness, I recommend thee; he will be with thee, to direct, strengthen, and prosper thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Note, We may be sure that God, who owned our fathers, and carried them through the services of their day, will, in like manner, if we be faithful to him, go along with us in our day, and will never leave us, while he has any work to do in us, or by us. The same that was Joshua's encouragement, (Josh. 1. 5,) and Solomon's here, is given to all believers, Heb. 13. 5, He will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. God never leaves any, unless they first leave him. (2.) "Good men will help thee, v. 21. The priests and Levites will advise thee, and thou mayest consult with them. Thou hast good workmen, who are both willing and skilful;" and those are two very good properties in a workman, especially in those that work at the temple. And, lastly, "The princes and the people will be so far from opposing, or retarding the work, that they will be wholly at thy command, every one in his place ready to further it." Then good work is likely to go on, when all parties concerned are hearty in it, and none secretly clog it, but all drive on heartily in it.

NOTES TO CHAPTER XXIX.

V. 1-9. We may here observe, I. How handsomely David accosted the great men of Israel, to engage them to contribute toward the building of the temple. It is our duty to provoke one another to love, and to do good works; not only to do good ourselves, but to draw in others to do good too, as much as we can. There were many very rich men in Israel, they were all to share in the benefit of the temple, and of those peaceable days which were to befriend the building of it; and therefore, though he would not impose on them, as a tax, what they should give toward it, he would recommend the present as a fair occasion for a free-will offering; because what is done in works of piety and charity, should be done willingly, and not by constraint; for God loves a cheerful giver.

1. He would have them consider that Solomon was young ad tender, and needed help; but that he was the person wh had chosen to do this work, and therefore was well worthy their

7 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.

8 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.

9 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.

21. 18. e 1 Kings 9. 28. Job 28. 16. •All his hand. de. 27, &c. 2 Cor. 9.7. fc. 26. 21. g Prov. 23. 15.

assistance. It is good service to encourage those in the work of God, that are as yet young and tender.

2. That the work was great, and all hands should contribute to the carrying of it on. The palace to be built, was not for man, but for the Lord God; and the more was contributed toward the building, the more magnificent it would be, and therefore the better would it answer the intention.

3. He tells them what great preparations had been made for this work. He did not intend to throw all the burden upon them, nor that it should be built wholly by contributions; but that they should show their good will, by adding to what was done, v. 2, I have prepared with all my might; that is, "I have made it my business." Work for God must be done with all our might, or we shall bring nothing to pass in it.

4. He sets them a good example. Beside what was dedicated to this service out of the spoils and presents of the neighbouring nations, which was for the building of the house, (of which before, ch. 22. 14,) he had, out of his own share, offered largely for the beautifying and enriching of it, 3000 talents of gold, and 7000 talents of silver, (v. 4, 5;) and this, because he had set his affection to the house of his God. He gave all this, not as Papists build churches, in commutation of penance, or to make atonement for sin; nor as Pharisees give alms, to be seen of men; but purely because he loved the habitation of God's house; so he professed, (Ps. 26. 8,) and here he proved it. Those who set their affection upon the service of God, will think no pains or cost too much to bestow upon it. And then our offerings are pleasing to God, when they come from love. They that set their affection on things above, will set their affection on the house of God, through which our way to heaven lies. Now this he gives them an account of, to stir them up to do likewise. Note, Those who would draw others to that which is good, must lead themselves. Those especially who are advanced above others, in place and dignity, should particularly contrive how to make their light shine before men, because the influence of their example is more powerful and extensive than that of other people.

5. He stirs them up to do as he had done; (v. 5,) And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? (1.) We must, each of us, in our several places, serve the Lord, and consecrate our service to him, separate it from other things that are foreign, and interfere with it, and direct and design it for the honour and glory of God. (2.) We must make the service of God our business; must fill our hands to the Lord, so the Hebrew phrase is. They who engage themselves in the service of God, will have their hands full; there is work enough for the whole man in that service. The filling of our hands with the service of God, intimates that we must serve him only, serve him liberally, and serve him in the strength of grace derived from him. (3.) We must be free herein, do it willingly and speedily, do it this day, who we are in a good mind. Who is willing? Now let him it.

thev

of the tempersuaded to it; yet it is said, They offered willingly, II. How handso they all contributed toward the building when they were thus stirred up to it. Though ..0. So he said, who knew their hearts. Nay, they offered with a perfect heart, from a good principle, and with a sincere respect to the glory of God, v. 9. How generous they were, appears by the sum total of the contributions, v. 7, 8, They

k Gen. 33. 20.

15 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.

16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared, to build thee an house for thine holy name, cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 17 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.

18 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:

19 And give unto Solomon thy son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies,

I. The solemn address which David made to God upon occasion of the noble subscriptions of the princes, toward the building of the temple; (v. 10,) Wherefore David blessed the Lord, not only alone in his closet, but before all the congregation. This I expected, when we read (v. 9) that David rejoiced with great joy; for such a devout man as he, would, no doubt, make that the matter of his thanksgiving, which was so much the matter of his rejoicing. He that looked round with comfort, would certainly look up with praise. David was now old, and looked upon himself as near his end; and it well becomes aged saints, and dying saints, to have their hearts much enlarged in praise and thanksgiving. This will silence their complaints of their bodily infirmities, and help to make the prospects of death itself less. David's psalms, toward the latter end of the book, are most of them psalms of praise. The nearer we come to the world of everlasting praise, the more we should speak the language, and do the work, of that world. In this address, 1. He adores God, and ascribes glory to him, as the God of Israel, blessed for ever and ever. Our Lord's prayer ends with a doxology, much like this which David here begins with; for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. This is properly praising God, with holy awe and reverence, and agreeable affection, acknowledging, (1.) His infinite perfections; not only that he is great, powerful, glorious, &c. but that his is the greatness, power, and glory; that is, he has them in, and of himself; he is the Fountain and Centre of every thing that is bright and blessed. All that we can, in our most exalted praises, attribute to him, he has an unquestionable title to. His is the greatness, his greatness is immense, and incomprehensible; and all others are little, are nothing, in comparison of him. His is the power, and it is almighty and irresistible; power belongs to him, and all the power of all the creatures is derived from him, and depends upon him. His is the glory; for his glory is his own end, and the end of the whole creation. All the glory we can give him with our hearts, lips, and lives, comes infinitely short of what is his due. His is the victory; he transcends and surpasses all, and is able to conquer and subdue all things to himself, and his victories are incontestable, uncontrollable. And his is the majesty, real and personal with him is terrible majesty, inexpressible, and inconceivable. (2.) His sovereign | dominion, as rightful Owner and Possessor of all; "All that is in the heaven, and in the earth, is thine, and at thy disposal, by the indisputable right of creation; and as supreme Ruler and Commander of all: thine is the kingdom, and all kings are thy subjects; for thou art Head, and art to be exalted and worshipped as Head above all." (3.) His universal influence and agency. All that are rich and honourable among the children of men, have their riches and nours from God. This acknowledgment he would have the pegs take notice of, and join in, that they might not think they had med any thing of God by their generosity; for from God they and honour; and what they had returned to him was but riches а all part of what they had received from him. Whoever are greas among men, it is God's hand that makes them so; and whatever strength we have, it is God that gives it us, as the God of Israel our Father, v. 10. Ps. 68, 35.

2. He acknowledges with thankfulness the grace of God enabling them to contribute so cheerfully toward the building of the temple; (v. 13, 14,) Now therefore, our God, we thank thee. Note, The more we do for God, the more we are indebted to him for the honour of being employed in his service, and for grace enabling us, in any measure, to serve him. Docs he therefore thank that servant? Luke 17. 9. No: but that servant has a great deal of reason to thank him. He thanks God that they were able to offer so willingly. Note, (1.) It is a great instance of the power of God's grace in us, to be able to do the work of God willingly. He works both to will and to do; and it is in the day of his power, that his people are made willing, Ps. 110. 3. (2.) We must give God all the glory of all the good that is at any time done by ourselves or others. Our own good works must not be the matter of our pride, nor the good works of others the matter of our flattery, but both the matter of our praise for certainly it is the greatest honour and pleasure in the world, faithfully to serve God.

3. He speaks very humbly of himself, and his people, and the offerings they had now presented to God.

(1.) For himself, and those that joined with him, though they were princes, he wondered that God should take such notice of them, and do so much for them: (v. 14,) IVho am I, and what is my people? David was the most honourable person, and Israel the most honourable people then in the world; yet thus does he speak of himself and them, as unworthy the divine cognizance and favour. David now looks very great, presiding in an august assembly, appointing his successor, and making a noble present to the honour of God; and yet he is little and low in his own eyes: Who am I, O Lord? for, (v. 15) We are strangers before thee, and sojourners, poor despicable creatures. Angels in heaven are at home there, saints on earth are but strangers here: Our days on the earth are as a shadow. David's days had as much of substance in them as most men's; for he was a great man, a good man, a useful man, and now, an old man; one that lived long, and lived to good purpose: and yet he puts himself not only into the number, but in the front, of those who must acknowledge that their days on the earth are as a shadow; which intimates that our life is a vain life, a dark life, a transient life, and a life that will have its period either in perfect light, or perfect darkness. The next words explain it, There is no abiding, Heb. no expectation. We cannot expect any great matters from it, nor can we expect any long continuance of it. This is mentioned here, as that which forbids us to boast of the service we do to God: alas! it is confined to a scantling of time, it is the service of a frail and short life, and therefore what can we pretend to merit by it?

(2.) As to their offerings, Lord, says he, of thine own have we given thee, (v. 14,) and again, (v. 16,) It cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. "We have it from thee, as a free gift, and therefore are bound to use it for thee; and what we present to thee, is but rent or interest from thine own." "In like manner" (says Bishop Patrick) "we ought to acknowledge God in all spiritual things, referring every good thought, good purpose, good work, to his grace, from whom we receive it." Let him that glories therefore, glory in the Lord.

(3.) He appeals to God concerning his own sincerity in what he did, v, 17. It is a great satisfaction to a good man, to think that God tries the heart, and has pleasure in uprightness; that whoever misinterpret or contemn it, he is acquainted with, and approves of, the way of the righteous. It was David's comfort that God knew with what pleasure he both offered his own, and saw the people's offering. He was neither proud of his own good work, nor envious of the good works of others.

(4.) He prays to God both for the people and for Solomon, that both might hold on as they began. In this prayer he addresses himself to God, as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a God in covenant with them, and with us for their sakes. Lord, give us grace to make good our part of the covenant, that we may not forfeit the benefit of it. Or thus: they were kept in their integrity by the grace of God establishing their way; let same grace that was sufficient for them, be so for us. [1.]` he people he prays, (v. 18,) that what good God had put into theinds, he would always keep there, that they

24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, 'submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

21 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:

22 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 Vanointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

to c. 22. 14. z Ps. 145. 1. y 1 Kings 1. 34, &c. gave the hand under, Gen. 24. 2. 47. 29. 2 Chr. 30. 8. Ea. 17. 18.

might never be worse than they were now; might never lose the convictions they were now under, nor cool in their affections to the house of God; but always have the same thoughts of things as they now seemed to have. Great consequences depend upon what is innermost, and what uppermost, in the imagination of the thoughts of our heart; what we aim at, and what we love to think of. If any good have got possession of our hearts, or the hearts of our friends, it is good by prayer to commit the custody of it to the grace of God: "Lord, keep it there, keep it for ever there. David has prepared materials for the temple; but, Lord, do thou prepare their hearts for such a privilege" establish their hearts, so the margin. "Confirm their resolutions; they are in a good mind, keep them so, when I am gone, them and theirs for ever." [2.] For Solomon he prays, (v. 19,) Give him a perfect heart. He had charged him (ch. 28.9) to serve God with a perfect heart, now here he prays to God to give him such a heart. He does not pray, "Lord, make him a rich man, a great man, a learned man;" but, "Lord, make him an honest man;" for that is better than all. "Lord, give him a perfect heart, not only in general, to keep thy commandments, but in particular, to build the palace, that he may do that service with a single eye." Yet his building the house would not prove him to have a perfect heart, unless he made conscience of keeping God's commandments. It is not helping to build churches, that will save us, if we live in disobedience to God's law.

II. The cheerful concurrence of this great assembly in this great solemnity.

1. They joined with David in the adoration of God. When he had done his prayer, he called to them to testify their concurrence; (Now bless the Lord your God, v. 20,) which accordingly they did, by bowing down their heads, a gesture of adoration. Whoever is the mouth of the congregation, those only have the benefit, who join with him, not by bowing down the head, so much as by lifting up the soul.

2. They paid their respects to the king, looking upon him as an instrument in God's hand of much good to them; and, in honouring him, they honoured God.

3. The next day, they offered abundance of sacrifices to God, (v. 21,) both burnt-offerings, which were wholly consumed, and peace-offerings, which the offerer had the greatest part of to himself. Hereby they testified a generous gratitude to God for the good posture their public affairs were in, though David was going the way of all the earth.

4. They feasted, and rejoiced, before God, v. 22. In token of their joy in God, and communion with him, they feasted upon their peace-offerings, in a religious manner, before the Lord. What had been offered to God, they feasted upon; by which was intimated to them, that they should be never the poorer for their late liberal contributions to the service of the temple; they themselves should feast upon the comfort

of it.

5. They made Solomon king, the second time. He having been before anointed, in haste, upon occasion of Adonijah's rebellion, it was thought fit to repeat it, for the greater satisfaction of the people. They anointed him to the Lord. Magistrates must look upon themselves as set apart for God, to be his ministers, and must rule accordingly in the fear of God. Zadok also was anointed to be priest, in the room of Abiathar, who had lately forfeited this honour. Happy art thou, O Israel, under such a prince, and such a pontiff. V. 23-30. These verses bring king Solomon to his throne, and king David to his grave. Thus the rising generation thrusts out that which went before, and says, "Make room for Every one has his day.

us."

I. Here is Solomon rising; (v. 23,) Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord. Not his throne which he prepared in the heavens, but the throne of Israel is called the throne of the Lord, because he is not only King of all nations, and all kings rule under him, but

26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

29 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.

30 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.

Ec. 2. 9. a 1 Kings 2. 11. b Gen. 25. 8. c Job 5. 26. ↑ words, or, history. d Dan. 4. 23, 25.

he was, in a peculiar manner, King of Israel, 1 Sam. 12. 12. He had the founding, he had the filling, of their throne, by immediate direction. The municipal laws of their kingdom were divine! Urim and prophets were the privy counsellors of their princes, therefore is their throne called the throne of the Lord. Solomon's kingdom typified the kingdom of the Messiah, and his is indeed the throne of the Lord; for the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to him; hence he calls him his King, Ps. 2. 6. Being set on the throne of the Lord, the throne to which God called him, he prospered. They that follow the divine guidance, may expect success by the divine blessing. Solomon prospered; for,

1. His people paid honour to him, as one to whom honour is due. All Israel obeyed him; that is, were ready to swear allegiance to him; (v. 23,) the princes and mighty men, and even the sons of David, though, by seniority, their title to the crown was prior to his, and they might think themselves wronged by his advancement; God thought fit to make him king, and made him fit to be so, and therefore they all submitted themselves to him. God inclined their hearts to do so, that his reign might, from the first, be peaceable. His father was a better man than he, and yet came to the crown with much difficulty; after long delay, and by many and slow steps. David had more faith, and therefore had it more tried. They submitted themselves, Heb. They gave the hand under Solomon, that is, bound themselves by oath to be true to him. Putting the hand under the thigh, was a ceremony anciently used in swearing; or, they were so entirely devoted, that they would put their hand under his feet to serve him.

2. God put honour upon him; for those that honour him, he will honour: The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly, v. 25. His very countenance and presence, I am apt to think, had something in them very great and awful: all he said, and all he did, commanded respect. None of all the judges or kings of Israel, his predecessors, made such a figure as he did, nor lived in such splendour.

II. Here is David's setting; that great man going off the stage. The historian here brings him to the end of his day, leaves him asleep, and draws the curtains about him.

1. He gives a summary account of the years of his reign, v. 26, 27. He reigned forty years, as Moses did, Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Eli, Samuel, and Saul, who were before him, and Solomon, after him.

2. He gives a short account of his death, (v. 28,) that he died full of days, riches, and honour; that is, (1.) Loaded with them. He was very old and very rich, and very much honoured both of God and man. He had been a man of war from his youth, and, as such, had his soul continually in his hand; yet he was not cut off in the midst of his days, but was preserved through all the dangers of a military life, lived to a good old age, and died in peace, died in his bed, and yet in the bed of honour. (2.) Satiated with them. He was full of days, riches, and honour; that is, he had enough of this world, and of the riches and honours of it, and knew when he had enough, for he was very willing to die and leave it, having said, (Ps. 49. 15,) God shall receive me; and, (Ps. 23. 4,) Thou art with me. Á good man will soon be full of days, riches, and honour; but will never be satisfied with them; no satisfaction but in God's loving kindness.

3. For a fuller account of David's life and reign, he refers his reader to the histories or records of those times, which were written by Samuel while he lived, and continued, after his death, by Nathan and Gad, v. 29. There was related what was observable in his government at home, and his wars abroad, the times, that is, the events of the times, that went over him, v. 29, 30. These registers were then in being, but are now lost. Note, Good use may be made of those histories of the church, which are authentic, though not sacred, or of divine inspiration.