1 Chronicles 29:7

_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._ Drams - rather, darics, a Persian coin, with which the Jews, from the time of the captivity, became familiar, and which was afterward extensively circulated in the countries of Western Asia. It is estimated as equal in value to 25 shillings of British currency. OF BRASS EIGHTEEN THOUSAND TALENTS, AND ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TALENTS OF IRON. In Scripture, iron is always referred to as an article of comparatively low value, and of greater abundance and cheaper than bronze (Napier)....

1-9 What is done in works of piety and charity, should be done willingly, not by constraint; for God loves a cheerful giver. David set a good example. This David offered, not from constraint, or for show; but because he had set his affection to the house of God, and thought he could never do enough towards promoting that good work. Those who would draw others to good, must lead the way themselves....

Verse 1 Chronicles 29:7. _OF GOLD FIVE THOUSAND TALENTS_] These, at _five thousand_ _and seventy-five pounds, fifteen shillings, and seven pence_ _halfpenny_ each, amount to _twenty-five millions, three hundred and_ _seventy-eight thousand nine hundred and six pounds, five_ _shillings_, sterling. If, with Dr. Prideaux, we estimate the golden talent at upwards of _seven thousand pounds_ sterling, the value of these _five thousand talents_ will be much more considerable. Exodus 25:39; _"_Matthew 18:24_"_; and the calculations at the end of _Clarke's notes on "_2 Chr...

The word here translated “dram” is regarded by most critics as the Hebrew equivalent of the Persian “daric,” or ordinary gold coin, worth about 22 shillings of British money (circa 1880’s). Not, however, that the Jews possessed darics in David’s time: the writer wished to express, in language that would be intelligible to his readers, the value of the gold subscribed, and therefore he translated the terms employed in his documents, whatever they were, into terms that were in use in his own day. The doric became current in Palestine soon after the return from the captivity Ezra 2:69; Ezra 8:27; Nehemiah 7:70....

EXPOSITION 1 CHRONICLES 29:1 These verses continue the account of what David said to the whole congregation, respecting his son Solomon and his tender age in view of the great enterprise of building the temple; respecting the public preparations which had been already made, and the gifts of his own individual property—these latter being alluded to, no doubt, for the sake of example. On the faith of them he grounds with tenfold effect his appeal to people and princes to join heartily in the work. The verses (6-9)also contain the statement of the hearty practical response which was made by the "chiefs of the fathers and princes of the tribes," and other varieties of givers, and of the consequent general joy. 1 CHRONICLES 29:1

AND GAVE FOR THE SERVICE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD,.... For building and adorning it, and providing proper utensils for it: OF GOLD FIVE THOUSAND TALENTS; which, according to Scheuchzer l, came to 61,100,000 ducats of gold: and these, with "the 10,000 drachms"; make of our money, according to Brerewood m, 22,507,500 pounds; some reckon a drachm at two ducats and a half, and somewhat more n: AND OF SILVER TEN THOUSAND TALENTS; which, according to the former writer, amounted to 450,000,000 imperials, or rix dollars; and, according to the latter, they made of our money 3,750,000 pounds: AND OF BRASS EIGHTEEN THOUSAND TALENTS, AND ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TALENTS OF IRON; the weight of each of which were so much. l Ut supra. (Physica Sacra, vol. 4. p. 631.) m Ut supra. (Physica Sacra, vol. 4. p. 631.) n Eisenschmidius apud Scheuchzer. ib. p. 635....

CHAPTER 29 THE FINAL WORDS AND ACTIONS OF DAVID AND HIS DEATH _ 1. The exhortation (1 Chronicles 29:1)_ 2. The response (1 Chronicles 29:6) 3. David's praise and prayer (1 Chronicles 29:10) 4. The sacrifices and enthronement of Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:21) 5. The reign of David and his death (1 Chronicles 29:26) Then David spoke once more to the assembled princes and captains. What tenderness and concern as well as devotion his words reveal! “S

RESPONSE TO DAVIDS APPEAL FOR OFFERINGS: HIS THANKSGIVING AND DEATH. 1 Chronicles 29:1. _Cf._ Exodus 35:4; Exodus 35:20. 1 Chronicles 29:1. the palace: the Hebrew word occurs only in the later OT books, and is mostly used in reference to a Persian palace; in Nehemiah 2:8; Daniel 8:2 it is used of the Temple as here. 1 Chronicles 29:

DRAMS. Hebrew. _'adarkonim, darics._ Only here, and Ezr 27. A Persian coin Probably so called from the appellative "Darius". the king's coin (like English "sovereign"). Indicates date of book. See note on "the palace", 1 Chronicles 29:1, and consult App-51....

The Offerings of the Chiefs of Israel 6. _the chief of the fathers_ R.V. THE PRINCES OF THE FATHERS" HOUSES. _over the king's work_ See 1 Chronicles 27:25-31....