Chapter XXVIII
Vcr. 1-8. Davit) ICxiioirrs the Peoi'i.e to Fp.ar Goi>. 1. Uavifl assembled all the princes of Israel i.e., tlie representatives of the people, the leading men of the kingdom, who are enumerated in this verse according to their respective rank or degree of autliority. princes of tl»e tribes—(Ch. 27. 16-22.) Thosi! jiat riarclial (rlilefs are mentioned first as being tlio lilghest in rank—a sort of iieredltary noblesse, tlie captains of tl«e companies— The twelve generals mentioned (ch. 27.1-1,")). the stewarils, it('.—(Ch. 27. 2.')-:Jl.) tile olticers—y/(7;rc«', eiUUtclls, or attendants on the court (1 Samuel 8. lo; 1 Kings 22.U; 2G4
Offerings for the Temple, 1 CHKONICLES XXIX. l)(ivid's Thanksgimng,
10-25. His Thanksgiivino. 10. Wlierefore David blessed the I/ord—This beautiful thanksgiving prayer was the effusion overflowing witli gratitude and deliglil at seeing the warm and widespread interest tliat was now taken in forwarding the favourite project of his life. Its piety is displayed in the fervour of devotional feeling—in
dress begun v. 9 is resumed and concluded in the same
fitraiu, 21. beliold the courses of the prtcsts and Ijc-vltes —They were, most probably, represented in this assembly, though they are not named, also the princes and all the people—t. e., as well the skilful, expert, and zealous
artisan, as the workman who needs to be directed in
tlie ascription of all worldly wealth and greatness to God as the giver, in tracing the general readiness in contributing to the influence of His grace, in praying for tiie continuance of this happy disposition among tlie people, and in solemnly and earnestly commending the young king and his kingdom to tlie care and blessing of God. 16. All this store that we have prepared—It maybe useful to exhibit a tabular view of the treasure laid up, and contriljutions stated by the historian as alreadj' made towards the erection of the proposed temple. Omitting the brass and iron, and precious stones, which, tliougli speci-
all bis labours.
CHAPTEE XXIX.
Ver. 1-9. David Causes the Princes and People to Offer for the House of God. 1. Solomon ... Is yet young and tender—Though Solomon was very young when he was raised to the sovereign power, his kingdom escaped the woe pronounced (Ecclesiastes 10. 10). Mere childhood in a prince is not always a misfortune to a nation, as there are instances of the government being wisely administered during a minority, and Solomon himself is a most illustrious proof tluit a young prince may prove a great blessing ; for when he was but a mere
fied partly {v. 7), Is represented in other portions as "without weight" (ch. 22. 3, 14), we shall give in this table only tlie amount of gold and silver; and taking tlie talent of gold as worth £.5475 (the talent being 125 lbs. in weight), tlie value of the gold will be about 73s. per oz. The talent of silver is given at £342 3s. 9d., or 4s. 4a(l. per oz. The total amount of the contributions will be :
child, with respect to his age, no nation was happier. His father, however, made this address before Solomon was endowed with the Divine gift of wisdom, and David's reference to his son's extreme youth, in connection witli the great national undertaking he had been di v inely appointed to execute, was to apologize to this assembly of the estates —or, rather, to assign the reason of his elaborate preparations for the work. 3, 4. Moreover ... I have of mine own proper good, &c.—In addition to the immense amount of gold and silver treasure wliich David had already bequeathed for various uses in tlie service of the temple, he now made an additional contribution destined to a specific purpose—that of overlaying the walls of the house. This voluntary gift was from the private fortune of the royal donor, and had been selected with the greatest care. Tlie gold was "the gold of Ophir," tlien esteemed
Sum accumulated, and in the public) gold, £-547,500,(100 treasury (ch. 22. 41) / silver, 342,187,500
Contributed by David from his pri-lgold, 16,425,000 vate resources /silver, . 2,395,312
Contributed by the assembled rulers "|'°>J'8?1
, £939,929,687
Thougli it has been the common practice of Eastern monarchs to hoard vast sums for the accomplishment of any contemplated project, this amount so far exceeds not only every Oriental collection on record, but even the bounds of probaljility, that it is very generally allowed that either there is a corruption of the text in ch. 22. 14, or tliat the reckoning of the historian was by the Babylonian, which was only a half, or the Syrian, which was only a fifth part, of the Hebrew talent. This would bring the Scripture account more into accordance with the statements of Joseplius, as well as within the range of crediliility. 80. All the congregation worshipped tlie Lord, and the king—Tliougli the external attitude might be the same, the sentiments of which it was expressive were very ditt'erent in tlie two cases—of Divine worship in tlie one, of civil homage in the other. 31, 23. they sacrificed . . . And did eat and drink After the business of the assembly was over, the people, under the exciting influence of the occasion, still remained, and nejct day engaged in the performance of solemn rites, and afterwards feasted <m the remainder of the sacrifices, before the Lord—either in tlie immediate vicinity of the ark, or, perhaps, ratlier in a religious and devout spirit, as partaking of a sacrificial meal, made Solomon . . . king the second time—In reference to the first time, which was done precipitately on Adoiiijah's conspiracy (1 Kings 1. 35). they . . . anointed . . . Zadok—The statement implies tliat his appointment met the popular approval. His elevation as sole liigli priest was on the disgrace of Abiathar, one of Adonijali's accomplices. 33. Solomon sat on the throne of tlic Lord—Aa king of Israel, he was the Lord's vicegerent, at. submitted themselves Hcb., put their hands under Solo-, mon, according to the custom still practised in tlie East, of putting a hand under the king's extended hand, anil kissing tlie back of it (2 Kings 10. 15).
tlie purest and finest in the world (Job 22. 24; 28. 16; Isaiah
13. 12). The amount was 3000 talents of gold, and 7000 talents of refined silver. 5. who then is willing to consecrate his service Hcb., fill his hand; i. e., make an offering (Exodus 32. 29; Leviticus 8. 33; 1 Kings 13. 33). The meaning is, that whoever would contribute volunta-
rily, as he had done, would be offering a free-will offering to the Lord. It was a sacrifice which every one of them could make, and in presenting which the offerer himself would be the priest. David, in asking free-will offerings for the temple, imitated the conduct of Moses in reference to the tabernacle (Exodus 2.). 1-S). 6-8. Then the chief of the fathers—Or heads of tlie lathers (cli. 24. 31 ; 27. 1). princes of the tribes-(cll. 27. 1&-22). the rulers of the king's work— Tliose who had charge of the royal demesnes and other possessions (ch. 27. 25-31). offered willingly —Influenced by the persuasive address and example of
the king, they acted according to their several abilities, and their united contributions amounted to the gross sum
—of gold 5000 talents and 10,000 drams; and of silver, 10,000 talents, besides brass and iron, drams—Rather, darics.
A. Persian coin, witli which the Jews from the time of the captivity became familinr, and which was afterwards extensively circulated in tlie countries of Western Asia. It Is estimated as equal in value to 25s. of British curren-
cy. 7. of brass eighteen thousand taleitts, and one hundred thousa:id talents of iroji—In Scripture, iron is always referred to as an article of comparatively low value, and of greater abundance and cheaper than bronze. [Napier.] 8. and tJiey with whom precious stones were found—Ratlier, " whatever was found along with it of precious stones they gave." [Beutheau.] These gifts M'ere deposited in the liands of Jehiell, wliose family were charged with the treasures of the house of the Lord (ch. 26.21).
26-30. His Reign and Death. 30. Thus David reigned —(See 1 Kings 2. 11.)
27ie Offering oj Solonon at Gibeon, 2 CHRONICLES I, II. His Mijssage to Huram,
THE
• SECOND BOOK OF THE CHEONICLES.
here and in other parts of this book—is only incidentally noticed. The duty of building the temple was reserved
for Solomon before his birth. As soon as he became king he addressed himself to the wo/ik, and the historian, in proceeding to give an account of the edifice, begins with relating the preliminary arrangements.
Ver. 1-6. Solemn Offering of Solomon at Gibeon. 9. Tlicii Solomon spake niito all Israel—viz., the heads, or leading oflieers, that are afterwards specified, were Bummoued to attend their sovereign in a solemn religious procession. T!ie date of tliis occurrence was the second year of Solomon's reign, and the high place at Gibeon was chosen for the performance of the sacred rites, from the tabernacle and all the ancient furniture connected with the national worship being deposited there. Zadok was the officiating higli priest (1 Chronicles 16. 39). It is true that the ark had Ijeen removed, and placed in a new tent whicli David had made for it at Jerusalem. Bnt the brazen altar, "before the tabernacle of the Lord," on which the burnt offerings were appointed by tlie law to be made, was at Giljeon ; and although David had been led by extraordinary events and tokens of tlie Divine presence to sacrifice on the threshing-floor of Araunah, Solomon considered it liis duty to present his ott'erings ou the legally appointed spot " liefore the tabernacle," and ou the tiiue-honoui-ed altar prepared by the skill of Be/aleel In the wilderness (Exodus 38. 1). 0. offered a thousand bnriit offerings—Tliis holocaust he oH'ered, of course, by the hands of the^iriests. The magnitude of the oblation became the rank of the offerer on this occasion of national solemnity.
3-10. His Message to Hukam for .Skilful Artifi Cers. 3. Solomon sent to Hnram—The correspondence was probably conducted on both sides in writing {v. 11; see also ou 1 Kings u. 8). As thou didst deal with Dnvld niy father—This would seem decisive of the question whether the Huram then reigning in Tyre was David's friend (see on 1 Kings 5. 1-6). In opening the business, Solomoifgrounded his request for Tyrian aid ou two reasons:— 1. The temple he proposed to build must be a solid and permanent building, because the worship was to be continued in perpetuity, and therefore the building nui-
terials required to be of the most durable qtiality. 2. It must be a magnificent structure, because it was to be dedicated to the God who was greater than all gods; and, therefore, as it might seem a presumptuous idea to erect an edifice for a Being " whom the heaven and the heaven of heavens do not contain," It was explained that Solomon's object was not to build an house for Him to dwell
in, but a temple in which His worsliippers might offer
sacrifices to His honour. No language could be more humble and appropriate tlian this. The pious strain of sentiment was such as became a king of Israel. 7. send me now, therefore, a man cunning; to work—Masons and carpenters were not asked for; those whom David hail obtained (1 Chronicles 14. 1) were, probably, still remaining in Jerusalem, and had instructed others. But he requin d a master of works; a person capable, like Beznleel (Kxodus X). 31), of superintending and directing every deliartnient; for, as the division of labour was at that time
7-13. His Choice of Wisdom is Blessed by God. 7. In tliat nlg'Itt did God appear unto Solomon—(see on 1 Kings 3. 5).
14-17. His Strength and Wealth. 14. Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen—His passion for horses was greater than that of any Israelitish monarcli before or after him. His stud comprised HOO chariots and 12,000 horses. This was a prohibited indulgence, wliether as an instrument of luxury or power. But it was not merely for his own use that he imported the horses of Egypt. The Immense equestrian establishment he erected was not for Bhow merely, but also for profit. The Egyptian breed of horses was highlj' valued ; and being as fine as Arabians, but larger and more powerful, they were well lilted for being yoked in chariots. These were light, but compact and solid vehicles, without springs. P'rom the price Btated (v. 17) as given for a chariot and a horse, it appears that tlie chariot cost four times the value of a horse. A horse brought 150 shekels, which, estimating the shekels at 2s. 3d. or L>s. 6d., amount to £17 2s. or £1S 1.5s., wliile a chariot brought OOO shekels, equal to £68 9s. or £7.5; and as an Egyptian chariot was usually drawn by two horses, a charioland pair would cost £U2sterling. As the.Syrians, who were fond of the Egyptian breed of liorses, could import Ihem into their own country only tlirough Judea, Solomon early perceived the commercial advantages to be derived from this trade, and established a monopoly. His factors or agents purchased them In the markets or fairs of Egypt,and l)rought them to the " cliarlot cities "
little known or observed, an overseer had to be possessed of very versatile talents and experience. The things speci-
fie<l in which he was to be skilled, relate not to the bulliiing, but the furniture of the temple. Iron, which could not be obtained In the wilderness when the tabernacle was built, was now, through Intercourse with the coast, plentiful, and much used. The cloths Intended for curtains were, from the crimson or scarlet-retl and hyacinth colours named, evidently, those stuffs, for the manufacture and dyeing of which the Tyrlans were so famous. "The graving," probably, Including embroidcr.v of figures like cheruhinis In needlework, as well as wood carving of pomegranates and other ornaments. 8. Send me . . . cednr trees, ito.—The cedar and cyi>ress were valued as being both rare and durable; the algum or alnuig trees (likewise a foreign wood), though not got on hebanon, is nuMitioiunl as l)eing procured through Huram (see on 1 Kings 10.11). 10. Behold, I will f;lve thy servants beaten wheat—Wheat, strljiped of Ihe husk, boiled, and saluraled wllh butter, forms a frequent n\eal with the lab()i\rlng pe<>i)le In the East (cf. 1 Kings .5. 11). There Is no discrepancy bi-lwi-en that passage and this. The yearly supplies of wine and oil, mentioned in the former, were Intended for lluram's court in return for the cedars sent him ; while th(> articles of meat and drink siiecllled hero wiTc for the workmen on Eebanon.
-rthe depots and stables he had erected on the front iers of his kingdom, such ns Heth-marcaboth, "the house of chariots," and Hazor-susah, "tlie village of horses" (Joshua 11). .5; 1 Kings 10. 2X). 17. broitji^ht . . . for all the kln^s of the Illttltcs—A branch of this powerful tribe, when expelled from Palestine, had settled nortli of
11-18. HruAM's Kind Answi'.r. II. llecauiie the I^ord hiilli lovetl his people, A'c.—This pious language creates a iiresiimpllon that Huram might have attained soi>ui knowledge of the true religion from his long liuulllar Intercourse with David. But the presumption, however pleasing, may lie deluslvi; (sei' on 1 Kings 5. 7-12). 13, 1*.
1 ebanon, wheie they acquired large possessions contlgaous to the Syrians.
I have sent a euiiulitt; man—(see on 1 Kings 7. 1!?-51). 17, IH. Solomon numbered all the strnngerg, <^c,—(see on 1 Klngsu. 13, 18J.
Ver. 1, 2. Solomon's TjAnouitKus voii BiTiLniNo tiiic Tbmple. 1. Solomon determined to build—The temple la the grand subject of this narrative, while the palace—
Ptaee of Building (he Temple. 2 ClULO^'ICLES 111, IV. Its Diiiieiiduiii, Altar, Mullen liea, e,tr„
which was covered with planks of fir. The whole interior was lined with boards, riclily decorated witli carved work,
clusters of foliage and flowers, among wliich the pomegranate and lotus, or water-lily, were conspicuous; and overlaid, excepting tlie floor, with gold, either by gilding or iu plates (1 Kings 0).
Ver. 1, 2. Place and Time or Building the Temple.
1. Mount Morlnli, where tlie Lord appeared unto Unvid—These words seem to intimate tliat tlie region
Wliere the temple was built was previouslij known hy the nanieof Moriah (Genesis 22. 2), and do not ntlbrd sulKcient evidence for aftiniiiiig, as ha« lately been done [Stanley], that the name wi\ii flnst given to the mount, in consequence of the vision seen \>y David. Mount Moriah was one Buminit of a range of hills which wont under the general name of Zion. Tlie platform of tlie temple is now, and has long been, occupied by the haram, or sacred enclosure, within wliicii stand the three mosques of Omar (the
«-l:>. Dimensions, &c., of the Most Holy House. 8. the most lioly house—It was a perfect cube (cf. 1 Kings 6.
20). overlaid It with . . . gold, amounting to six huikdred talents—at £t per. oz., equal to £:!,(iOO,000. 10-13. two chei-ubim—Tliese figures in tlie tabernacle were of pure gold (Exodus 25.), and overshadowed tlie mercy-seat. The two placed in the temple were made of olive wood, over-
laid with gold. They were of colossal size, like the Assyrian sculptures; for each, with expanded wings, covered a space of ten cubits in height and length—two wings touched each other, while the other two reached the oppo-
Binailest), of EI Aksa, wliich in early times was a Chris-
tian church, and of Kubbet el Sakhara, "The dome of the rock," so called from a huge block of limestone rock in tlie centre of the floor, which, it is supposed, formed the elevated thresliing-floor of Araunali, and on which the great brazen altar stood. The site of the temple, then,
site walls; their faces were inward, t. e., towards the most holy hduse, conformably to tlielr use, which was to veil the ark.
1-1-17. Veil and Pillars (see on 1 Kings 6. 21). The united height is here given; and thougli the exact dimensions would be thirty-six cubits, each column was only seventeen cubits and a half, a half cubit being taken up bjthe capital or the base. They were probalily described as they were lying together in tlie mould before they were .set up. [Poole.] They would lie from eighteen to twenty-one feet in circumference, and stand forty feet in height. These pillars, or obelisks, as some call them, were highly ornamented, and formed an entrance iu keeping with the splendid interior of the temple.
is so far established, for an almost universal belief is entertained in the aatheiiticity of the tradition •egarding the rock El .Sakhara, and it has also been conclusively proved that the area of the temple was identical on its western, eastern, and southern sides, with the present enclosure of the h.lrani. [Robinson.] "That the temple was situated someirhere witliin the oblong enclosure on Jlount Moriah, all topographers are agreed, although there is not the slightest vestige of the sacred fane now remaining; and the greatest diversity of sentiment prevails as to its exact position witliin tiiat large area, whetlier in the centre of the haram, or in its south-west corner. [Barclay.] Moreover, the full extent of the temple area is a problem that remains to be solved, for the platform of Mount Moriah being too narrow for the extensive buildings and courts attached to the sacred
Ver. 1. Altar OF Brass. 1. he made an altar of brass —Steps must have been necessary for ascending so elevated an altar, but the use of these could lie no longer forbidden (Exodus 20. 26) after the introduction of an official costume for the priests (Exodus 28. 42). It measured thirty-
edifice, Solomon resorted to artificial means of enlarging and levelling it, by erecting vaults, which, as .Tosephus
states, rested on immense earthen mounds raised from the elope of the hill. It should be borne in mind at the out-
five feet by thirty-five, and in heiglit seventeen and a half
feet. The thickness of the metal used for tliis altar is nowhere given ; but supposing it to have been three inches, the whole weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons. [Napier.]
set, that the grandeur of the temple did not consist in its colossal structure, so much as in its internal splendour, and the vast courts and buildings attached to it. It was not intended for the reception of a worshipping assembly, for the people always stood iu the outer courts of the eanclu.ary.
2-5. Molten Sea. 2. he made a molten sea:—(see on
1 Kings 7. 23-26), as in that passage " knops" occur instead of " oxen ;" it i§ generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads. 3. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast—The meaning of which is, that the circular basin and tlie brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece, being cast In one and the same moukl. There is a diflerence in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin, for wliile in
3-7. Measures and Ornaments of the House. 3. these nre the things wherein Solomon wns insti-uctefl for tlie building of the house of (Jod—by the written plan and specifications given him by his father. The measurements .are reckoned by cubits, "after the first measure," i. e., the old Mosaic standard. But there is great difference of opinion about this, some making the cubit eighteen, others twenty-one inches. The temple, which embodied in more solid and durable materials the groundform of the tabernacle, only being twice as large, was a rectangular building, seventy cubits long from east to west, and twenty cubits wide from north to south. 4. the porch—The breadtli of the house, wliose length ran from east to west, is here given as the measure of the length of
1 Kings 7. 26 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it, in this passage no less than three thousand are stated. It lias been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held, but tliat also which was necessary to work it, to keep it flowing as a fountain; that which was required to fill both it and its accomi>aiiiments. In support of this view, it maybe remarked that different words are employed : the one in 1 Kings 7. 26 rendered contained; the two here rendered, j-ecevoecZ and held. Tliere was a diflerence between receiving and holding. When the basin played as a fountain, and all its partswere filled for that purpose, the latter, together with the sea itself, ?-eccived 3000 baths; but the sea exclusively 7icW only 2000 baths, when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin. It received and held 3000 baths. [Calmet's Ekagment.]
tlie piazza. The portico would thus be from thirty to tliirty-ttve feet long, and from fifteen to seventeen and a half feet broad, the height wns an hundred and twejity cubits—This, taking the cubit at eighteen inches, would be 180 feet; at twenty-one inches, 210 feet; so that the porch would ri.se in the form of a tower, or two pyramidal towers, whose united height was 120 cubits, and each of them aliout 90 or 105 feet high. [Stieglitz.] This porch would thus be like the propylwum or gateway of the palace of Khorsabad [Layard], or at the temple of Edfou. Q. tlie greater house—t. e., the holy places, the ftont or cuter chamber (see on 1 Kings 6. 17). G. he garnished the house wltli precious stones for beauty — Better, He paved the house with precious and beautiful marble. {KriTO.] It may be, after all, that these were stones with veins of different colours for decorating the walls. This was au ancient and thoroughly Oriental kind of embellishmeut. There was an under pavement of marble,
6-18. The Ten L.wers, Candlesticks, and T.\bles. 6. ten lavers—(see on 1 Kings 7. 27t39). The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed. The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar, and while tlie molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet, these were intended for washing the sacri-
fices. 7. ten candlesticlcs—(see on I Kings 7. 49). The increased number was not only in conformity with the
The Bringing up of the Ark. 2 CHRONICLES V, VI. Solomon^s Dedicatory Prayer,
cending the brazen scaffold, he assumed those two attitudes in succession, and with different oljjects in view,
characteristic splendour of the edifice, but to l)e a standing emblem to the Hebrews, that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness In the world. [LiGHTrooT.] 11. Huram made—(see on
- He stood while he addressed and blessed the surrounding multitude (v. 3-11); afterwards he knelt down and streU lied out his liands towards heaven, with his lace probably turned towards the altar, while he gave utterance to the beautiful and impressive prayer which is recorded in tiie remainder of this chapter. It is deserving of notice that there was no seat in this pulpit— for the king cither stood or knelt all the time he was in it. It is not improbable that it was surmounted by a canopy, or covered by a veil, to screen the royal speaker from the rays of the sun. 1821. how much less this house which I have iuiilt I Have respect tlierefore to the prayer of thy servant No person who entertains just and exalted views of the spiritual nature of the Divine Being will suppose that he can raise a temple for the habitation of Deity, as a man builds a house for himself. Nearly as Improper and inadmissible is the idea that a temple can contribute to enhance the glory of God, as a monument maj' be raised in honour q( a great man. Solomon described tlie true and proper u.se of the temple, when he entreated that the Lord "would hearken unto the supplications of His servant and His people Israel, which they should make towards this place." In short, the grand pui"pose for which the temple was erected was precisely the same as that contemplated by churches— to aftbrd the opportunity and means of public and social worship, according to the ritual of the Mosaic dispensation — to supplicate the Divine mercy and favour—to render thanks tor past instances of goodness, and offer petitions for future blessings (see on 1 Kings 8. 22-61). This religious design of the temple—the one temple in the world— is in fact its stand-point of absbrliing interest, ij'i. If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and tlie oath eoiae before thine altar in this Iiouse, itc.—In cases where the testi-mony of witnesses could not be obtained, and there was no way of settling a dillerence or dispute between two people but by accepting the oath of the accused, tlie practice had gradually crept in, and had acquired the force of consuetudinary law, for the party to be brought before the altar^ where his oath was taken with all due solemnity, together with tlie imprecation of a curse to
1 Kings 7. 40-46). CHAPTER V.
Ver. 1. The Dedicated Treasitres. 1. Solomon brunglit in all tilings tUat Davltl Ills father Iiad dedicated—The immense sums and the store of valuable arti-
cles which his father and other generals had reserved and appropriated for the temple (1 Chronicles 22. 14; 20. 20).
2-13. Bringing Up OF THE Akk OF THE Covenant. 3, 3. Tlieii Scloiuoii assembled ... in the feast whtch was ill the seventh month—The feast of the dedication of the temple was on the eighth day of that montli. This
IS related, word for word, the same as in 1 Kings 8. 1-10. 9. there it is unto this day i. e., at the time when this Iiistory was composed; for after the Babylonish captivity there is no trace of either ark orstaves. 11. all the priests that were present . . . did not then wait by eourse The rotation system of weekly service introduced by David was intended for the ordinary duties of the priesthood; on extraordinary occasions, or when more tlian wonted solemnity attached to them, the priests attended in a body. 13. the Levltes which were the singers—On great and solemn occasions, such as this, a full clioir was required, and their station was taken witli scrupulous regard to their oflicial parts; the family of Henian occupied the central place, the family of Asaph stood on his riglit, and that of Jedutliun on his left; the place allotted to the vocal department being a space between the court of Israel and the altar in the east end of the prie.sts' court, witli them nn hundred and twenty priests sonnding with trumpets—The trumpet was always us(>d l>y the priests, and in the Divine service it was specially employed in calling the people togetlier during the holy solemnities, and in drawing attention to new and successive parts of tlie ritual. Tlie number of trumpets used in the Divine service could not be less tlian two(Nuniber.slO.
2), and their greatest number never exceeded tlie precedent set at the dedication of the temi)le. Tlie station where the priests were sounding with trumpets was apart from that of the other musicians; fai' wliilc tlie Levite singers occupied an orchestra east of tlie altar, tlie priests stood at the marble table on the south-west of llie altar. There both of tliem stood with their faces to the altar. The manner of blowing the trumpets was, tirst, by a long plain blast, then by one with breakings and quaverings, and tlien by a long plain blast again. [Brown's Jewish Antiquities.] 13. the house was tilled with a eloud— (see on 1 Kings 8. 10, 11).
fall upon himself if his disavowal should be found untrue. There is an allusion to such a practice in this passage. 3S. If they return to thee ... in the land of their captivity . . . and pray towai-d their land wiiich thou gavest unto their fathers—These woids gave rise to the favourite usage of the ancient as well as modern Jews, of turning in prayer toward Jerusalem, in whatever quarter of the world they might be, and of directing their faei's toward the temple when in Jerusalem jlself,' or any part of the holy land (1 Kings 8. 4t). '41. arise, O Kiord God, Into thy resting-place—These words are not found In the record of this prayer in the First Uooli of Kings; but they occur in the l.'i2d Psalm, which is generally believed to have been composed by David, or rather by Solomon, in reference to this occasion. "Arise" is a very suitable expression to be used when the ark was to be reiiun 1 from the tabernacle in Zlon to the temple ou Mount Morlali. Into thy restlng-plate—Tile temiile so calli'd (Isaiah (i(>. II, because it was a lixed and permanent mansion (I'salni I.'i2. II). the ark of thy strength—The abode by which thy glorious presence is sy mlioli/.ed, and whence thou dost issue thine authoritative oracles, and manifest thy power on belialf of th.v people when they (U'slreaiid need It. It might well be designated the ark of God's strength, because It was through means of It the mighty miracles wer(! wrought, and the brilliant victories were won, that distinguish the early annals of the Hebrew nation. The sight of It Inspired the gr<'alest animation Into the breasts of His people, while it diffused terror and dismay through the ranks of their eneniles(cr. Psalm 78. (il). let thy priests be clothed « Hh salvation-Or with righteousness (I'siilm l;!2. !)), ('.<•.. ho equipped not oii)y with tlu; pure white linen gannenls thou hast aiijioluted for their robe of oUlcc, but J-Ua
Ver. 1^1. Soi.oMON Bi.f.sses the Pi:oi'i-k and Praises God. 1. Tlie Lord hath said that he woulil dwell in thick darkiie.ss—This introduction to Solomon's address was evidently suggested by the remarkalile incident recorded at the close of tlie last chapter; tlie phenomenon of a densely opaque and uniformly shaped cloud, descending in a slow and majestic manner, ainl lilling Ih.e whole area of the temple. He regarded it himscir, and directed tlie people also to regard it,asan unihiubtcd sign and welcome pledge of the Divine presence and iicceptance of the building reared to His honour and worship. Hi! referred not to any particular declaration of God, but to the cloud having been all along in thenation.al history of Israel the recognized syml)ol of the Divine presence (Mxodus Ki. 10-
21. Ifi ; 40. .14 ; NumlK^rs !). 15 ; 1 Kings 8. 10, 1 1 ). i;j. Solomon had made a brazen scnlTold—A sort of platform ; but the Jfchrcw term rendered scatlold, being the .sanu! as that used to designate the liasin, suggests the i<lea that this throne might bear some resemblance. In form tnstructure, to those lavers in the temple, beluga sort of round and elevated puliMt, placed in the inlddh^ of the court, and In front of the altar of liurnt offering, upon It he tood, and kneeled down upon his knees—After as-
2GS
SoloJnon's Sacrifces. 2 CHKONICLES VII, VIII, The Cities Buill by him.
court holocausts were burning all round. 8. Solomon kept the feast seven days—The time chosen for the dedication of the temple was immediately previous to the feast of tabernacles (see on 1 Kings 8. 1-12). That season, which came after the harvest, corresponding to our September and October, lasted seven days, and during so prolonged a festival there was time alibrded for the offering of the immense sacrifices enumerated. A large proportion of these were peace offerings, whicli alforded to the people the means of festive enjoyment, all Israel . .
adorned with the moral beauties of true holiness, that
their person and services may be accepted, both for tliemselves and all the people. Thus they would be "clothed witli salvation," for tliat is the efl'ect and conBequenoe of a sanctified character. 43. turn not away the facn of tliine anointed—i. e., of me, who by thy promise and appointment have been installed as king and ruler of Israel. The words are equivalent in meaning to this: Do not reject my present petitions; do not Btnd me from thy throne of grace dejected in countenance and disappointed in heart, remember tUe mercies of Dijvirt lliy servant i. e., the mercies promised to David, and in consideration of that promise hear and answer my prayer (cf. Psalm 132. 10).
from the entering in of Hamath—t. e., the defile at Lebanon, unto the river of Egypt^ i. e., Uhinocorura, now El-Arish, the south boundary of Palestine. 10. on the three and twentieth «lay of the seventh month— This was ttie last day of the feast of tabernacles.
12-22. GOD Appears to Him. VZ, tlie Lord appeared to Solomon by night—(See on 1 Kings 9. 1-9.) The dedication of the temple must have been an occasion of intense national interest to Solomon and his subjects. Nor was the interest merely temporary or local. The record of it is read and thought of with an interest that is undiminished by tlie lapse of time. The fact tliat this was the only temple of all nations in which the Irue God was worshipped imparts a moral grandeur to the scene, and prepares the mind for the sublime prayer that was offered at tlie dedication. The pure theism of that prayer—its acknowledgment of the unity of God as well as of His moral perfections in providence and grace, came froiii the same Divine source as tlie miraculous fire. They indicated sentiments and feelings of exalted and spiritual devotion, which sprang not from the unaided mind of man, but from the fountain of revelation. The reality of the Divine presence was attested by the miracle, and that miracle stamped the seal of truth upon the theology of the temple worship.
Ver. 1-3. Gon Gives Testimony to Solomon's Prayek ; The People Worship, l. tUe fire came do^vn from heaven and consumed the burnt offering—Every act of worship' was accompanied by a sacrifice. The preternatural stream of fire kindled the mass of flesh, and was a token of tlie Divine acceptance of Solomon's prayer
(see on Leviticus 9. 24; 1 Kings 18. 38). the glory of the I^ord tilled the house—t. e., the cloud, wliich was the symbol of God's presence and raajesty, filled the interior of the temple (Exodus 40. 35). S. the priests coiild not enter—Both from awe of the miraculous lire that was burning on the altar, an<l from the dense cloud that enveloped the vanctuary, they were unable for some time to perform their usual functions (see on 1 Kings S. 10, 11). But afterwards, their courage and confidence being revived, they ajjproached the altar, and busied themselves in the offering of an immense number of sacrifices. 3. all the children of Israel . . . bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement—This form of prostration, viz., that of lying on one's knees with the forehead toucliing the earth, is the manner in wliich the Hebrews, and Orientals in general, express the most profound sentiments of reverence and liumility. The courts of the temple were densely crowded on the occasion, and the immense multitude threw themselves on the ground. What led the Israelites suddenly to assume that prostrate attitude on the occasion referred
Ver. 1-6. Solomon's Buildings. 3. cities wiiich Huram had restored . . . Solomon built tliem, &c.—These cities laj' in the north-west of Galilee, and, tliough included within the limits of the promised land, liad never been conquered. The right of occupying them Solomon granted to Huram, who, after consideration, refused them as unsuitable to the commercial habits of liis subjects (see on 1 Kings 9. 11). Solomon having wrested them from the possession of the Canaanite inhabitants, repaired them and filled them with a colony of Hebrews. 3-6. Solomon M-ent to Hamath-zobali—Hamath was on the Orontes, in Cffile-feyria. Its king, Toi, had been tlie ally of David; but from the combination, Hamath and Zobah,
to, was tlie spectacle of the symbolical cloud slowly and majestically descending upon the temple, and then entering it.
4-U. Solomon's Sacrifices. 4. Then the king and all the people offered sacritlces—Whether the individual worshippers slaughtered their own cattle, or a certain portion of the vast number of the Levitical order in attendance performed that work, as they sometimes did, in either case the oflerlngs were made through the priests, who presented tlie blood and the^fat upon the altar (see on 1 Kings 8. 62-(i4). 5. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God—The ceremonial of dedication consisted principally in the introduction of the ark into the temple, and in the sacrificial offerings that were made on a scale of magnitude suitable to the extraordinary occasion. All present, the king, the people, and the priests, took part according to their respective stations In the performance of the solemn service. The duty, of course, devolved chiefly on the latter, and hence in proceeding to describe their several departments of work, the historian says, generally, "the priests waited on their offices ;" while great numbers would be occupied with the preparation and offering of the victims, others sounded with their trumpets, and the difTerent bands of the Levltes praised the Lord with vocal and instrumental music, by the 13(ith Psalm, the oft-recurring chorus of which is, "for His mercy endureth for ever." T. Solomon hallowed the middle of the court—On this extraordinary occasion, when a larger number of animals were oflTered than one altar and the usujm place of rings to which the animals were bound would admit of, the whole space was taken in that was between the place of rings and the west end of the court to be used as a temporary place for additional altars, on that part of the spacious
it would appear that some revolution had taken place which led to the union of these two petty kingdoms of Syria into one. For what cause the resentment of Solomon was provoked against it, we are not informed, but he sent an armed force which reduced it. He made himself master also of Tadmor, the famous Palmyra in the s.ame region—various other cities along the frontiers of his extended dominions he repaired and fitted up, either to serve as store-places for the furtherance of his commercial enterprises, or to secure his kingdom from forciga invasion (see on ch. 1. 14; 1 Kings 9. 15-24).
7-11. The Canaanites made Tributaries. 7. all the people that were left, &c.—The descendants of the Canaanites who remained in the country were treated as war prisoners, being obliged to " pay tribute or to serve as galley slaves" (ch. 2. 18), while the Israelites were employed in no works but such as were of an honourable character. 10. two hundred and fifty that l)are J^^le—
(Cf. 1 Kings 9. 23.) It is generally agreed tliat the text of one of these passages is corrupt. 11. Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of tlie oily of Uavid, unto the house he had built for her—On his marriage with the Egyptian princess at the beginning of his reign, he assigned her a temporary abode in the city of Davjd,
i.e., Jerusalem until a suitable palace for his wife hud been erected. While that palace was in progress, he him-
self lodged In the palace of David, but he did not allow
2(59
Visit of the Queen of Sheha to Sohmnn. 2 CHRONICLES IX, X. Rehohoam Refuses the Old Me:i's CounscL
Another writer adds, that "the arch of this bridge. If Its curve be calculated witn an approximation to the truth, would measure iiif/j/ feet, and must have been one of jioe sustaining the viaduct (allowing lor the abutments on either side), and that the piers supjiorting the centre arch of this bridge must have been of great altitude not less, perhaps, than one luindred and thirty feet. The whole structure, when seen from the southern extremity of the TyropcHon, must have had an. aspect of grandeur, especiall,y as connected with the lofty and sumptuoiu" edifices of the temple, and of Zion to the right and t the left. [Isaac Taylor's Edition ok Tr.\ill's Jose nius.]
her to occupy it. because he felt that she being a heathen proselyte, and having brougni iiom her own country an establishment of heathen maid-servants, there would bnve been an impropriety in her being domiciled in a mansion wliich was or had been hallowed by the reception of the ark. It seems she was received on her arrival into his mother's abode (Song 3. 4; 8. 2).
J5-18. Solomon's Festival Sacrifices. 15. tiiey «lepnrted not from tlie commantlnient of tlic king— i. e., David, in any of his ordinances, which by Divine authority he established, either in regulating the courses of the priests and Levites, or in the destination of his accumulated tj-easures to the construction and adornment of the temple. 17. Then went Solomon to Ezlon-gcber, and to Elotli—These two maritime ports were situated at the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, now called the Gulf of Akaba. Eloth Is seen in the modern Akaba, Ezion-geber InElGudyan. fRoBixsON.] Solomon, determined to cultivate the arts of peace, was sagacious enough to perceive that his kingdom could become great and glorious only by encouraging a spirit of commercial enterprise among
l;5-2S. His Riches. 13. Now the welglit of gold that came to Solomon in one year—(See on 1 Kings 10. H-2i).) six Iiundred and threescore and sl.x talents of gold The sum named is equal to £3,646,350; and if we take the proportion of silver (y. 14), which is not taken into consideration, at 1 to 9, there would be about £200,000, making a yearly supply of nearly £6,000,000, being a vast amount for an infant effort in maritime commerce. [Napier.] 21. the king's ships went to TarshlsU—rather "the king's ships of Tarshlsh went" with the servants of Huram. ships of Tarshlsh i.e., in l)urdcn and construction like the large vessels built for or used at Tarsliish. [Caljiet's Fragments.] 35. Solomon had four thousand stalls—It has been conjectured [Gesexiu.s' Heiskew Lexicon] that the original term may signify not only
hi.s subjects; and, accordingly, with that view he made a contract with Hurara .for ships and seamen to instruct his people in navigation. 18. Hni-am sent laitn . . . ships—Either sent him ship-mere, able seamen, overland
or, taking the word "sent"' in a looser sense, siijyplied him, i.e., built him ships—viz., in docks at Eloth (cf. 1 icings 9.26, 27). This navy of Solomon was manned by Tj-rians, for Solomon had no seamen capable of performing distant expeditious. The Hebrew fishermen, whose boats plied on the Sea of Tiberias or coasted the shores of the Mediterranean, were not equal to the conducting of large vessels laden with valuable cargoes on long voyages and through the wide and unfrequented ocean, four IiiuKlred and fifty talents of gold—(Cf. 1 Kings 9.28.) The text in one of these iiassages is corruiJt.
stall or stable, but a number of horses occupying the same number of st^iUs. Supposing that ten wore put together in one part, this would make 49,000. AcconUng to this I leory of explanation, the historian in Kings refers to 1,'j'ses; w-hile the historian in Chronicles speaks of the ((tails in which they were kept. Rut nnno recent critics reject this mode of solving the dillicult.v, and, regarding the four thousand stalls as in keeping with the general magnificence of Solomon's establishments, are agreed In considering the text in Kings as corrupt, tlirough the error of some cop.vist. 28. they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt— (See on eh. 1. 17.) Solomon undoubtedly carried the Hebrew kingdom to its
Ver. 1-12. The Queen of Sheba Visits Sot,omon; SHE AD3IIRES HIS WiSDOJI AND MACNIKICENCE. 1. wUen tUe queen of SUeba heard of flic fame of Solomon—(See on 1 Kings 10. l-i:?.) It is said that among the things in Jerusalem which drew forth the admiration of Solomon's royal visitor was " his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord." This was the arched viaduct that crossed the valley from Mount Zion to the opposite hill. In the commentary on the passage quoted above, allusion was made to the recent. discovery of its remains. Here we give a full account of what, for boldness of conceptions for structure and magnificence, was one of the greatest wonders in Jerusaletn. "During our first visit to the south-west corner of the area of the mosque, we observed several of the large stones Jutting out from the western wall, which at first seemed to l)e the eflect of a bursting of the wall from soine mighty shock or earthquake. We paid little regard to this at the moment; but on mentioning the fact not longal'Icr to a circle of our friends, the remark was incideiilally dropped that the stones had the appearance of having once ixdonged to a large arch. At this remark, a train of thought Hashed across my mind, which I hardly dared to follow out until I had again repaired to the spot, in order to satisfy myself with my own eyes as to the trulli or falsehood of the suggestion. I found It even so. Tlic courses of these Immense stones occupy tiieir original position; their external surface Is hewn to a regular curve; ;ind, being fitted one upon another, they form the commencement or foot of an Immense arch wliich once sprung out from tills western wall in a direction towards Mount Zion, across tlie Tyrop«on valley. This arch (-ould only have belonged to the bridge, which, according to Josephus, led from this )>art of the temple to the Xystus (covered colonnade) on Zion; and It proves Inconleslably the antiquity of that portion from which It springs." [UoiilNSON.] The distance from this iHiint to the sleep rock of Zion he calculates to he about three hundi'cd and fifty feet, the probable length of this ancient viaduct.
.higliest pitch of worldly glory, and his comiili'lion of ine
grand work, the centralizing of the natioinil worship at Jerusalem, whither the natives went up three times a
,vear, has given his name a prominent place in the history of the ancient church. Rut his reign had a disastrous itilluence upon "the peculiar people," and the exaniple of his deplorable idolatries, the connections he formed with foreign princes, the commercial speculations he entered Into, and the luxuries Introduced Into the land, seem In a great measure to have altered and deteriorated the Jewish character.
CIIA'PTER X.
Ver. 1-15. Rehouoam Rekusing the Old Men's Good Counsel. 1. Reho1>«am went to Shechem—(See on 1 Kings 12.1.) This chapter Is, with a few verbal alli-ratlous, the sam(> as In that book. 3. And they sentrather, "for they had sent," Ac. This is slated as tlio reason of .lerohoam's return from Eg.vpt. 7. If tli«Mi lie kind lo Oils people, and please them, and speak good words *o llu-m—In the Rook of Kings, the words are, " If lliou wilt be a servant unto this people, and wilt serve thi in." The meaning in both is the .sann\ viz.. If thou wilt make some reasonable concessions, redress their griev.ances, and restore their abridged lil)erties, thou wilt secure their strong and lasting altaehnicnt lolhy jierson anil government. 15. the king hearkened nol unto (he people, for the cause wan of(Sod—Rcholioam, in fiil lowing an evil counsel, and the Hebrew people In making a revolullon.'iry movement, each acted as free agents, ohe.vlng their own will and jiasslons. Rut God, who permitted the revolt of the northern tribes. Intended It as a punishment of the house of David for Solomnn's apostasy. That event demonstrates the Immediate supeilntendence of Ills pnivldence over the revolutions of kingdoms, and thus It alfords an Instance, similar to many otiierstrlkluf
Bchoboam Rtiketh an Army. 2 CHRONICLES XI, XII. ShisJiak Invades Judah.
(2 Samuel 14.27) of Absalom. Tamar lieing, according to Joseplius, her mot tier. (Cf. 2 Samuel IS. l.S.) HI. lie took eighteen wives, and seventy concubines—This royal harem, though far inferior to liis lather's, was equally in violation of tlie law, whicli forbade a liing to " multiply wives unto himself." 2^. made Abijali . . . chief , . . ruler, among his brethren—This iirefcrence seems to have been given to Aljijah solely from tlie king's doating fondness for his mother, and tlirough her iiiHuenc'e over nim. It is plainly implied that Abijali was not the eldest of the family, and in destining a younger son for the kingdom, without a Divine warrant, as in Solom<m's
Instances that are found In Scripture, of Divine predic-
tions, uttered long before, being aoooniplisliea by the
operation of human passions, and in the natural course
of events.
Ver. 1-17. KEHOBOAM, Kaising an Akmy to Subdue
Israel, is Forbidden by Shemaiah. 1-4-. KtJiobo.tm gatUereclof tlie house of Jndali anrt Beujauiin, «o Oght agnlnst Israel—(See on 1 Kings 12. 21-'2t.J 5. Imllt
Cities lor defence in Jndali—This is evidently used as
the name of the southern liingdom. Rehoboam, liaviug now a bitter enemy in Israel, deemed it prudent to lose no time in fortifying several cities that lay along the fron-
case, Rehoboam acted in violation of tlie law. (Deuteronomy 21.1.5.) 33. he dealt wisuly— <?., Willi deep and calculating policy. (Exodus 1. 10.) and dispersed of all his children unto every fenced city—The circumstance
tier of his kingdom. Jeroboam, on his side, took a similar
precaution. (1 Kings 12. 2.5.) Of the fifteen cities nained,
of twenty-eiglit sons of the king being made governors of fortresses would, in our quarter of the world, produce jealousy and dl.ssatisfaction. But E.istern monarchs ensure peace and tranquillity to their kingdom liy bestowing governmentoffices on their sons and grandsons. Tliey obtain an independent provision, and being kept apart, are not likely to cabal in their father's lifetime. Reiioboam acted thus, and hissagacity will appear still greater if the wives he desired for them belonged to tlie cities where each son was located. These connecaions would bind tliem more closely to their respective places. In the modern couxitries of the East, particularly i'ersia and Turkey, younger princes were, till very lately, shut up la the harem during their father's lifetime; and, to prevent competition, were blinded or killed when their ijrotlier ascended the throne. In the former country the old prac-
Aijalon, now Yalo, and Zorah, now Surali, between JeruBalem and Jabneh [Robinson], lay within the province
of Benjamin. Gath, though a Philistine city, had been
subject to Solomon. And Ktliam, which was on the bor-
der of Simeon, now incorporated with the kingdom of
Israel, was fortified to repel danger from that quarter. These fortresses Rehoboam placed under able command-
ers, and stocked them with provisions and military stores,
sufficient, if necessary, to stand a siege. In the crijipled
Btate of his kingdom, he se«ms to have been afraid lost
it might be made tlie prey of some powerful neigh-
bours. 13-17. tUe priests and tlie Levites . . . resorted
to Iiiin ont of all tlieir coasts^Tiiis was an accession of moral power, for the maintenance of the true religion is
the best support and safeguard of any nation; and as it was peculiarly the grand source of the strength and pros-
tice of dispersing them through the country like Rehoboam, has been again revived.
perity of the Hebrew monarchy, the great numbers of good and pious people who sought an asylum within the
territories of Judah contributed greatly to consolidate
the throne of Reholjoam. The cause of so extensive an emigration from the kingdom of Israel was the deep and daring policy of Jeroboam, who set himself to brealc the national unity by entirely abolisliing, within his domin-
Ver. 1-12. Rehoboam, FoRSAKiNCi God, is Punished BY .Shishak. 1. when Rehoboam had established th« kingdom, and had strengtliened himself—(see on cll.
ions, the religious Institutions of Judaism. He dreaded an eventual reunion ot'the tribes, if the people continued
11. 17). During the first three years of his reign his royal influence was exerted in the encouragement of the true religion. Security and ease led to religious decline, which, in the fourth year, ended in open apostasy. The example of the court was speedily followed by his sub-
to repair thrice a y^ar to worship in Jerusalem as they were obliged by law to do; and accordingly, on pretence that the distance of that city was too great for multitudes
of his sulijects, he fixed upon two more convenient places, where he estal)lislied a new mode of worshipping God under gross and proiiibited symbols. The priests and
jects, for "all Israel was with him ;" i. c, the people in Ills own kingdom. The very'next year, viz., the fiftli of his reign, punishment was inflicted by the iiivasion of .Shishak. 3. Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem—He was the first king of the 'I'weiity-secoiid or Euliastic Dynasty. What was the immediate cause of this invasion? Whether it was in resentment for some provocation from the king of Judah, or in pursuance of ambitions views of conquest, is not said. But the invading army was a vast horde, for Shishak brought along with his native Egyptians an immense number of foreign aux-
Levltes, refusing to lake part In the idolatrous ceremo-
nies, were ejected from their livings; and along with tliem a large body of the people wlio faithfully adhered to the Instituted worsiiip of God—offended and shocked by tlie Impious innovations—departed from the kingdom. 15. he ordained him priests—the persons he appointed to the priesthood were low and worthless creatures (1 Kings
12. 31 ; 13. 33); any were consecrated who brouglit a bullock and seven rams. (Ch. 13. 9; Exodus 29. .37.) for the high places—tho.se favourite places of religious worship were encouraged througliout the country, for the devils—
iliaries. 3. the Lubims— the Libyp.ns of north-eastern Africa, the Snkkiims—Some think these were the Ken-
Ite Arabs, dwellei'S In tents, but others maintain more justly that these were Arab troglodytes, who inlialiiled the caverns of a mountain range ou the western coast of the Red Sea. the Ethiopians—from the regions soulli of Egypt. By the overwhelming force of numbers, they toolc the fortres.ses of Judah which had been recently put in a state of defence, and marched to lay siege to the capital. While Shishak and his army was liefore Jerusalem, the prophet Shemaiah addressed Reholjoam and the iiruiees, tracing this calamity to the national aposta.sy, and threatening them with utter destruction in consi (juence of liaving forsaken God (v. 6). 6. the princes of Israel—(cf. v, 5, "the princes of .ludah"). 7, 8. when tlic Lord saw that tliey humble<l themselves — Their repentance and con-
term sometimes used for idols in general (Leviticus 17. 7), but here applied distinctively to tlie goat deities, wliich were proljably worsliipped cliiefly in the northern parts of his kingdom, where the heathen Canaanites still abounded, and for the calves—figures of the ox gods Apis and Jlnevis, with whicli Jeroljoani's residence in
Egypt had familiarized him. (See on 1 Kings 12. 2()-33.) 17. thej' strengthened the kingdom of .Tndah—The innovating measures of Jerolioam were not introduced all at once. But as they were developed, the secession of the most excellent of his sul)jects began, and continuing to Increase for tliree years, lowered the tone of religion in bis kingdom, while it proportionally quickened its life and extended its influence In that of .Tudah.
18-23. HisWiVES ANDChildhen. 18. Rehoboam took Mohalath—The names of her father and mother are given. Jerimoth, the father, must have been the son of one of David's concubines. (1 Chronicles .3. 9.) Ahlhail was, of course.hlscousin, previous to their marriage, ao. after bcr hetoofc Manthah . . . daughter—<. c, grand-daughter
trition was followed by the liest efl'ects; for Sliemaiali was commissioned to announce that the iihial of Divine judgment would not be fully poured out on them—that tlie entire overthrow of the kingdom of Judah would not take place at that time, ilbr tlirough the agency of .Shishak.- and yet, although It should enjoy a respite from total sud-
Ahijah Warn against Jeroboam, 2 CHRONICLES XIII, XIV. and Overcomes him.
tion that was capable of bearing arms (1 Chronicles 21. 5;
version, it should become a Iributary province of Egypt, In order that tlie people miglit learn liow much lighter and better is the service of God than that of idolatrous foreign despots. 9. So Slilsliak . . . came up against Jerusalem—After the parenthetical clause (v. 5-S) describing tlie feelings and state of the beleaguered court, the historian resumes his narrative of the attack upon Jerusalem, and the consequent pillage both of the temple and the palace, he took all i. e., everything valuable he found. The cost of the targets and shields has been estimated at about £239,000. [Napier's Metal.] tUe sHields of gold—(ch. 9. 16) made by Solomon, were kept in the house of the forest of Lebanon (ch.9. 16). They seem to have been borne, like maces, by the owners or guard of the palace, when they attended the king to the temple or on other public processions. Those splendid insignia having been plundered by the Egyptian conqueror, others were made of inferior metal, and kept in the guard-room of the palace, to be ready for use, as, notwithstanding the tarnished glory of the court, the old state etiquette was kept up on public and solemn occasions. An account of this conquest of Judah, with the name of "king of Judah" in the cartouche of the principal captive, accord-
cf. ch. If. 8 ; 17. 1-1). 4-13. Abijah stood up on Itlouut Zemaraim—He had entered the enemy's territory, and was eiicamped on an eminence near Beth-el (Joshua 18.
22). Jeroboam's army lay at the foot of the hill, and as a pitched battle was expected, Abijah, according to the singular usage of ancient times, harangued the enemy. Tlie speakers in such circumstances, while always extolling their own merits, poured out torrents of invective and virulent abuse upon the adversary. So did Abijah. He dwelt on the Divine right of the house of David to the
throne; and sinking all reference to the heaven-condemned offences of Solomon and the Divine appointment of Jeroboam, as well as the Divine sanction of the separation, he upbraided Jeroboam as a u.surper, and liis sub-
jects as rebels, who took advantage of the youth and inexnerience of Rehoboam. Tlien contrasting me rengious state of the two kingdoms, he drew a black picture of the impious innovations and gross idolatry introduced by Jeroboam, with his expulsion and impoverishment (ch. 11. 14) of the Levites; dwelt with reasonable pride on
tlie pure and regular observance of the ancient institutions of Moses in his own dominions, and concluded with this emphatic appeal: "O, children of Israel, tight not against Jehovah, the God of your fathers, for ye shall not prosper." 13-17. But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them—The oration of Abijah, however animating an efl'cct it might have produced on his own troops, was unheeded by the party to whom it was addressed ; for while hewas wasting time in useless words, Jeroboam had ordered a detachment of his men to move quietly round the base of the hill, so that wlien Abijah stopped speaking, he and his followers found themselves surprised in the rear, while the main body of the Israelitish forces remained in front. A panic might have ensued, had not the loaders "cried unto the Lord," and the priests "sounded with the trumpets"—the pledge of victory ^Numbers 10. 9; 31. 6); and, reassured by the well-known signal, the men of Judah responded witU a war shout, which, echoed by the whole army, was followed by an impetuous rush against the foe. The shock was resistless. The ranks of the Israelites wcn^ broken, for " God smote Jeroboam and all Israel." They took to
tog to the interpreters, is carved and written in hiero- 'lyphics on the walls of the great palace of Karnak, where
it may be seen a t the present day. This sculpture is about
f700 years old, and is of peculiar interest as a striking testimony from Egypt to the truth of Scripture history. 18.
'Yvheii Ue Iiiiinbled liimself, the wrath of tlie Liord turned from him—The promise contained (r. 7) was veri-
fied—Divine providence preserved the kingdom in existence, a reformation was made in tlie court, while true religion and piety were diffused throughout tlie land.
13-16. His Heigx .^Nn Death. 13. Rehoboam strengthened himself . . . and reigned—The Egyptian invasion had been a mere predatory expedition, not extending beyond the limits of .Tudah, and probably, ere long, repelled by the invaded. Rehoboam's government acquired new
life and vigour by the general revival of true religion, ajid his reign continued many years after thedeparture of Shishak. But " he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord,"
i. e., he did not adliere firmly to the good course of reformation he had begun, "and he did evil," for through tlie unhappy influence of his mother, a heathen foreigner, he had received in his youth a strong bias towards idolatry (see on 1 Kings 14. 21-24).
flight, and the merciless slaughter that ensued can be accounted for only by tracing it to the rancorous passions enkindled by a civil war. 19. Abijah pursued after Jeroboam—This sanguinary action widened the breach between the people of the two kingdoms. Abijali abandoned his original design of attempting the subjugation of the ten tribes, contenting himself with the recovery of a few border towns, which, thougli lying within Judah or Benjamin, had been alienated to the new or northern kingdom. AiiKnigst these was Beth-el, which, with Its sacred as.sociations, ho might be strongly desirous to wrest froiu profanation. 'M. Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the <lay8 of Abljalt—The disastrous action at Zemaraim, which caused the loss of the entire llower and chivalry of his army, broke his spirits and crippled his power, the Lord struck him, and he died — i.e., .Jeroboam. He lived, indeed, two years after the death of Abijah (1 Kings 14. 20; 15.9). But he had been threatened with great calamities upon himself and his house, ami It Is apparently to th6 execution of these tlireateiilngs, which Issued in his death, an anticipatory reference is here nuido.
Ver. 1-20. ABi.iAn, sucoeemng, makes War ACf ainst JSHonoAM, ANi? OVERCOME.S HiM. 2. His mother's name was Bllchni;*, the daugliter of Uriel of Gibeah—The same as Maacliah (see on 1 Kings 15.2). She was "the daughter," t. e., grand-daughter of Absalom (1 Kings 15.2; Of. 2 Samuel 14), mother of Abijah, "mother," i. c, grandmother (1 Kings 15. 10, marff.) of Asa. " Of Oilioah," probably implies that Uriel was connected with the honso of Raul. il»ere was war between Abijah and .Trroboam The occasion of this war is not recorded (see 1 Kings 15.6,
7), but it may he inferred from the tenor of Al)ijah's address, that it arose from his youthful ambition to recover the full hereditary dominion of his ancestors. No prophet now forbade a war with Israel (ch. 11.23), for,Jeroboam had forfeited all claim to protection. 3. Abijah set tlie Imttle In array— c, took the field and opened the campaign. Abijah set (lie Imttle in array ivHh four hunilred thousand (;hoscn men . . . Jeroboam with eight Iiundrcd thousand—Tliese are, doubtless, largt; numbers, considering the smallness of the two kingdoms. It must bo borne in mind, however, that Oriental armies are mere mo))N—vast nuinb(Ms accompanying the camp in hope of » plunder, so that the gross numbers descrll)ed as going
Ver. 1-5. ASA DKSTROY.S Idolatry. I. In his days the land waa quiet ten years—This long interval of peace was the continued ellect of the great battle of Zemaraim
(cf. 1 Kings 15. 11-14). 3. Asa did that whielt was good and right—<cf. 1 Kings 15. 14). Still his cliaracliMand life were not free from faults (ch. 10. 7, 10, 12). 3. brake do^iii the Images—Of Baal (.see on ch. .'M. 4; Leviticus 20. ."JO), cut down the groves—Uather, Asherlm. 5. he took away the high places—i. c, those devoted to idolatrous
upon an Asiatic expedition are often far from denoting the exact immber of fighting men. Rut in accounting for the large number of .soldiers enlisted In the respoctivo armies of Abijah and Jeroboam, there is no need of resorting to this mode of explanation: for wo know by the census of David the immense amount of the popula-
rites, took uway out of all the cities of .ludah tU*
Alia Oi'ercomes Zerah. 2 CHRONICLES XV. Judah Makes a Covenant with God
upon many periods in the national history, wlien tlie people were in the state described—a state of spiritual destitution and ignorance—and exhibited its natural result as widespread anarchy, mutual dissension among the
bi|;U places aii«l tlie Image—All public Objects and
relics of idolatry in*Jerusalein and other cities through
his kingdom were destroyed ; but those high places where God was worshipped under the figure of an ox, as at
tribes, and general sull'ering (Judges 9.23; 12.4; 20. 21; 2 Chronicles 13. 17). These calamities God permitted to be-
Beth-el, were suflered to remain (1 Kings 15. 14); so fiir the reformation was incomplete.
6-8. Having Peace, he Strengthens his Kingdom WITH Forts and Armies. 6. he built fenced cities lu Juclali—(see ou 1 Kings 15. 22). 7. ivliile tlie land la yet before us— i. e., while we have free and undisputed prog-
fall them as the punishment of their apostasy. Azarlali's object in these remarks was to establish tlie truth of liis counsel (v. 2), and threatening, in case of neglecting it by describing the uniform course of the Divine procedure towards Israel, as shown in all periods of their, history
ress everywhere ; no foe Is near; but, as this happy time
of peace may not last always, and the kingdom is but small and weak, let us prepare suitable defences in case
and then after this appeal to national experience, he concluded with an earnest exhortation to tlie king to prosecute the work of reformation so well begun. 7. Be ye strong—Great resolution and indomitable energy would be required to persevere in the face of the opposition your reforming measures will encounter, your work shaU be rewarded—t. e., what you do in the cause and for the glory of God will assuredly be followed by the happiest results both to yourself and your subjects. 8. Wlien Asa heard . . . the prophecy of Oded the prophet—The Insertion of these words, "of Oded tlie prophet," is generally regarded as a corruption of the text. " The sole remedy is to erase them. They are, probably, the remains of a note, which crept in from the margin into the text." [Bertheau.] he took courage animated by the seasonable and pious address of Azariah, Asa became a more zealous reformer than ever, employing all his royal authority and influence to extirpate every vestige of idolatry from the land, and out of the cities which he had taken from Kpliraim—lie may have acquired cities of Ephraim, the conquest of which
of need. He had also an army of 580,000 men. Judah
furnished the heavy armed soldiers, and Benjamin the
archers. This large number does not mean a body of pro-
fessional soldiers such as compose European armies, but
all capable of bearing arms, and liable to be called into
service.
9-15. He Overcomes Zerah, and Spoils the Ethiopians. 9. there came out against them Zerah the Etlilopian—This could not have been from Ethiopia south of the cataracts of the Nile, for in the reign of Osorkou I., successor of >Shishak, no foreign army would have been allowed a free passage through Egypt. Zerah must, therefore, have been chief of the Cushites, or Ethiopians of Arabia, as they were evidently a nomad horde who had a settlement of tents and cattle in the neighbourhood of Gerar. a thousand thousaiid ajid three liundred chariots—" Twenty camels employed to carry cour-
iers upon them might have procured that number of men
to meet in a short time. As Zerah was the aggressor, he had time to choose when he would summon these men, and attack the enemy. Every one of these Cushite shep-
is not recorded (ch. 17. 2); but it has been commonly supposed that the reference is to cities which his father Abijah had taken in that quarter (cli. 13. 19). renewed the altar of the L>ord . . . before the porch— i. e., th*« altar of burnt-offering. As this was done on or about tlio fifteenth year of the reign of this pious king, the renewal must have consisted in some .splended repairs or embellishments, which made it look like a new dedication, or in a re-construction of a temporary altar, like that of Solomon (ch. 7. 7), for extraordinary sacrifices to be offered on an approaching occasion. 9-15. he gathered all Judah and Benjamin—Not satisfied with these minor measures of purification and improvement, Asa meditated a grand scheme which was to pledge his whole kingdom to complete the work of reformation, and with this view waited for a general assembly of the people, and