1 Paralipomenon xxix.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Tender, not so much in years, for he was 22, but in comparison with David, and with reference to so great a work. (Menochius)
Ver. 2. 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)
Ver. 3. 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.
Ver. 5. 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)
Ver. 6. Possessions, mentioned [in] chap. xxvii. 25.
Ver. 7. 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)
Ver. 8. Gersonite; who, with his brethren, was treasurer, chap. xxvi. 22.
Ver. 9. Willingly. Their disposition was perfect: for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians ix. 7. (Calmet)
Ver. 10. From. Septuagint, “from age to age;” (Pagnin, &c.) that is, throughout eternity: (Menochius) “for ever and ever.” (Protestants) Eternity has no parts. (Haydock)
Ver. 11. Magnificence. Thee we ought to magnify. David uses many words to express the sentiments of his grateful soul. (Menochius)
Ver. 12. 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.
Ver. 14. 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)
Ver. 15. 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)
Ver. 17. Simplicity. Hebrew, “uprightness.” Septuagint, “justice;” (Haydock) a pure intention, which our Saviour styled a single eye, Matthew vi. 22. (Tirinus)
Ver. 18. 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)
Ver. 20. 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)
Ver. 21. 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)
Ver. 22. 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)
Ver. 24. 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)
Ver. 29. 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)
Ver. 30. 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)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
David, by word and example, encourageth the princes to contribute liberally to the building of the temple. His thanksgiving, prayer, and sacrifices: his death.
1 And *king David said to all the assembly: Solomon, my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is as yet young and tender: and the work is great, for a house is prepared not for man, but for God.
2 And I, with all my ability, have prepared the expenses for the house of my God. Gold for vessels of gold, and silver for vessels of silver, brass for things of brass, iron for things of iron, wood for things of wood; and onyx-stones, and stones like alabaster, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble of Paros in great abundance:
3 Now over and above the things which I have offered into the house of my God, I give of my own proper goods, gold and silver for the temple of my God, beside what things I have prepared for the holy house.
4 Three thousand talents of gold of the gold of Ophir: and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the temple.
5 And gold for wheresoever there is need of gold; and silver for wheresoever there is need of silver, for the works to be made by the hands of the artificers: now if any man is willing to offer, let him fill his hand to-day, and offer what he pleaseth to the Lord.
6 Then the heads of the families, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, and the overseers of the king’s possessions, promised.
7 And they gave for the works of the house of the Lord, of gold, five thousand talents, and ten thousand solids; of silver, ten thousand talents; and of brass, eighteen thousand talents; and of iron, a hundred thousand talents.
8 And all they that had stones, gave them to the treasures of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jahiel, the Gersonite.
9 And the people rejoiced, when they promised their offerings willingly: because they offered them to the Lord with all their heart: and David, the king, rejoiced also with a great joy.
10 And he blessed the Lord before all the multitude, and he said: Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of Israel, our father, from eternity to eternity.
11 Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power, and glory, and victory: and to thee is praise: for all that is in heaven, and in earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art above all princes.
12 Thine are riches, and thine is glory, thou hast dominion over all, in thy hand is power and might; in thy hand greatness, and the empire of all things.
13 Now, therefore, our God, we give thanks to thee, and we praise thy glorious name.
14 Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to promise thee all these things? all things are thine: and we have given thee what we received of thy hand.
15 For we are sojourners before thee, and strangers, as were all our fathers. *Our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no stay.
16 O Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name, is from thy hand, and all things are thine.
17 I know, my God, that thou provest hearts, and lovest simplicity; wherefore I also, in the simplicity of my heart, have joyfully offered all these things: and I have seen, with great joy, thy people which are here present, offer thee their offerings.
18 O Lord, God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep for ever this will of their heart, and let this mind remain always for the worship of thee.
19 And give to Solomon, my son, a perfect heart, that he may keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy ceremonies, and do all things: and build the house, for which I have provided the charges.
20 And David commanded all the assembly: Bless ye the Lord, our God. And all the assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their fathers: and they bowed themselves, and worshipped God, and then the king.
21 And they sacrificed victims to the Lord: and they offered holocausts the next day, a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their libations, and with every thing prescribed, most abundantly for all Israel.
22 And they ate, and drank before the Lord that day with great joy. *And they anointed the second time Solomon, the son of David. And they anointed him to the Lord to be prince, and Sadoc to be high priest.
23 And Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king, instead of David, his father, and he pleased all: and all Israel obeyed him.
24 And all the princes, and men of power, and all the sons of king David gave their hand, and were subject to Solomon, the king.
25 And the Lord magnified Solomon over all Israel: and gave him the glory of a reign, such as no king of Israel had before him.
26 So David, the son of Isai, reigned over all Israel.
27 *And the days that he reigned over Israel, were forty years: in Hebron he reigned seven years, and in Jerusalem three and thirty years.
28 *And he died in a good age, full of days, and riches and glory. And Solomon, his son, reigned in his stead.
29 Now the acts of king David, first and last, 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 And of all his reign, and his valour, and of the times that passed under him, either in Israel, or in all the kingdoms of the countries.
____________________
*
1: Year of the World 2989, Year before Christ 1015.
15: Wisdom ii. 5.
22: 3 Kings i. 34.
27: 3 Kings ii. 11.
28: Year of the World 2990, Year before Christ 1014.