And David assembled, &c. — A great deal of business David had done in his day. And the nearer he comes to his end, the more busy he is, still endeavouring to do his work with all his might. He is now recovered from the weakness mentioned 1 Kings 1:1. He therefore improves his recovery, as giving him... [ Continue Reading ]
Stood — Out of reverence to God and respect to this great and honourable assembly. Brethren — So he calls the princes and chief rulers, both because they had a share with him, though under him in the government; and in compliance with the Divine command, that the king should not be lifted up above h... [ Continue Reading ]
My house, &c. — So was he a figure of him that was to come, who is both the founder and the foundation of the gospel — temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
At this day — As he hath begun. This promise is absolute with regard to the Messiah, but conditional, with regard to Solomon. If we are constant in our duty, then and not otherwise, we may expect the continuance of his favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of our God — I exhort and charge you every one, calling God who is here present, and this congregation wherein all Israel are present by their representatives, or witness against you, if you do not follow my counsel. Keep and seek — Keep those commands which you know, and seek for, or search into wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Know — So as to love and serve him. Words of knowledge in scripture — use commonly imply affection and practice. Or, acknowledge him, as thy God, by loving and obeying him. Searcheth — If thou dost only put on a profession of religion to please me, or if thy obedience to God be unsincere, thou mayes... [ Continue Reading ]
The sanctuary — For the ark to dwell in. Be strong — Take courage to break through all difficulties. Without this, we can do no work of God as we ought.... [ Continue Reading ]
The porch — Of the temple. The houses — The houses of the temple, namely, the holy place, and the holy of holies. Parlours — Those rooms which were made against the wall of the house round about, 1 Kings 6:5. The place — In what particular part of the holy of holies it was to be placed.... [ Continue Reading ]
By the spirit — All the particulars of the tabernacle built by Moses were suggested to him by God's spirit, and it is not credible that God would use less care and exactness in the building of this far more glorious and durable work. All this, it seems, was given him in writing, probably by the mini... [ Continue Reading ]
According, &c. — Whether they were fixed in one place, whereof there were ten in the holy place, or to be carried from place to place.... [ Continue Reading ]
The tables — There were divers tables to be used about the shew — bread; but one of them seems to have been of more eminency than the rest, and therefore it is commonly called the table of the shew — bread in the singular number.... [ Continue Reading ]
Refined gold — Purer than any of the rest. For that was typical of the intercession of Christ, than which nothing can be more pure and perfect. The cherubim — Which Solomon was to make, (for those which were fastened to the mercy — seat were made by Moses long before) which he fitly compares to a ch... [ Continue Reading ]
In writing — God revealed this to some man of God, who put it into writing, and by him to David. Or, God did, as it were, by his own hand, (where — with he wrote the Ten Commandments) write these things upon the table of his mind.... [ Continue Reading ]
My God — Whom I have chosen and served, who has all along been with me and prospered me, I recommend thee to him; he will be with thee, to strengthen, direct and prosper thee. The God that owned our fathers, and carried them thro' the services of their day, will, in like manner, if we are faithful t... [ Continue Reading ]