1 Chronicles 28:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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¹ And David ^H1732 assembled ^H6950 all the princes ^H8269 of Israel, ^H3478 the princes ^H8269 of the tribes, ^H7626 and the captains ^H8269 of the companies ^H4256 that ministered ^H8334 to the king ^H4428 by course, ^H4256 and the captains ^H8269 over the thousands, ^H505 and captains ^H8269 over the hundreds, ^H3967 and the stewards ^H8269 over all the substance ^H7399 and possession ^H4735 of the king, ^H4428 and of his sons, ^H1121 with the officers, ^H5631 and with the mighty men, ^H1368 and with all the valiant men, ^H2428 unto Jerusalem. ^H3389

Cross Reference

1 Chronicles 11:10-47 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

These also are the chief ^H7218 of the mighty men ^H1368 whom David ^H1732 had, who strengthened ^H2388 themselves with him in his kingdom, ^H4438 and with all Israel, ^H3478 to make him king, ^H4427 according to the word ^H1697 of the LORD ^H3068 concerning Israel. ^H3478 And this is the number ^H4557 of the mighty men ^H1368 whom David ^H1732 had; Jashobeam, ^H3434 an Hachmonite, ^H2453 the chief ^H7218 of the captains: ^H7991 ^H7970 he lifted up ^H5782 his spear ^H2595 against three ^H7969 hundred ^H3967 slain ^H2491 by him at one ^H259 time. ^H6471 And after ^H310 him was Eleazar ^H499 the son ^H1121 of Dodo, ^H1734 the Ahohite, ^H266 who was one of the three ^H7969 mighties. ^H1368 He was with David ^H1732 at Pasdammim, ^H6450 and there the Philistines ^H6430 were gathered together ^H622 to battle, ^H4421 where was a parcel ^H2513 of ground ^H7704 full ^H4392 of barley; ^H8184 and the people ^H5971 fled ^H5127 from before ^H6440 the Philistines. ^H6430 And they set ^H3320 themselves in the midst ^H8432 of that parcel, ^H2513 and delivered ^H5337 it, and slew ^H5221 the Philistines; ^H6430 and the LORD ^H3068 saved ^H3467 them by a great ^H1419 deliverance. ^H8668 Now three ^H7969 of the thirty ^H7970 captains ^H7218 went down ^H3381 to the rock ^H6697 to David, ^H1732 into the cave ^H4631 of Adullam; ^H5725 and the host ^H4264 of the Philistines ^H6430 encamped ^H2583 in the valley ^H6010 of Rephaim. ^H7497 And David ^H1732 was then in the hold, ^H4686 and the Philistines' ^H6430 garrison ^H5333 was then at Bethlehem. ^H1035 And David ^H1732 longed, ^H183 and said, ^H559 Oh that one would give me drink ^H8248 of the water ^H4325 of the well ^H953 of Bethlehem, ^H1035 that is at the gate! ^H8179 And the three ^H7969 brake through ^H1234 the host ^H4264 of the Philistines, ^H6430 and drew ^H7579 water ^H4325 out of the well ^H953 of Bethlehem, ^H1035 that was by the gate, ^H8179 and took ^H5375 it, and brought ^H935 it to David: ^H1732 but David ^H1732 would ^H14 not drink ^H8354 of it, but poured it out ^H5258 to the LORD, ^H3068 And said, ^H559 My God ^H430 forbid ^H2486 it me, that I should do ^H6213 this thing: ^H2063 shall I drink ^H8354 the blood ^H1818 of these men ^H582 that have put their lives in jeopardy? ^H5315 for with the jeopardy of their lives ^H5315 they brought ^H935 it. Therefore he would ^H14 not drink ^H8354 it. These things did ^H6213 these three ^H7969 mightiest. ^H1368 And Abishai ^H52 the brother ^H251 of Joab, ^H3097 he was chief ^H7218 of the three: ^H7969 for lifting up ^H5782 his spear ^H2595 against three ^H7969 hundred, ^H3967 he slew ^H2491 them, and had a name ^H8034 among the three. ^H7969 Of the three, ^H7969 he was more honourable ^H3513 than the two; ^H8147 for he was their captain: ^H8269 howbeit he attained ^H935 not to the first three. ^H7969 Benaiah ^H1141 the son ^H1121 of Jehoiada, ^H3077 the son ^H1121 of a valiant ^H2428 man ^H376 of Kabzeel, ^H6909 who had done many ^H7227 acts; ^H6467 he slew ^H5221 two ^H8147 lionlike men ^H739 of Moab: ^H4124 also he went down ^H3381 and slew ^H5221 a lion ^H738 in ^H8432 a pit ^H953 in a snowy ^H7950 day. ^H3117 And he slew ^H5221 an Egyptian, ^H4713 a man ^H376 of great stature, ^H4060 five ^H2568 cubits ^H520 high; and in the Egyptian's ^H4713 hand ^H3027 was a spear ^H2595 like a weaver's ^H707 beam; ^H4500 and he went down ^H3381 to him with a staff, ^H7626 and plucked ^H1497 the spear ^H2595 out of the Egyptian's ^H4713 hand, ^H3027 and slew ^H2026 him with his own spear. ^H2595 These things did ^H6213 Benaiah ^H1141 the son ^H1121 of Jehoiada, ^H3077 and had the name ^H8034 among the three ^H7969 mighties. ^H1368 Behold, ^H2009 he was honourable ^H3513 among the thirty, ^H7970 but attained ^H935 not to the first three: ^H7969 and David ^H1732 set ^H7760 him over his guard. ^H4928 Also the valiant men ^H1368 of the armies ^H2428 were, Asahel ^H6214 the brother ^H251 of Joab, ^H3097 Elhanan ^H445 the son ^H1121 of Dodo ^H1734 of Bethlehem, ^H1035 Shammoth ^H8054 the Harorite, ^H2033 Helez ^H2503 the Pelonite, ^H6397 Ira ^H5896 the son ^H1121 of Ikkesh ^H6142 the Tekoite, ^H8621 Abiezer ^H44 the Antothite, ^H6069 Sibbecai ^H5444 the Hushathite, ^H2843 Ilai ^H5866 the Ahohite, ^H266 Maharai ^H4121 the Netophathite, ^H5200 Heled ^H2466 the son ^H1121 of Baanah ^H1196 the Netophathite, ^H5200 Ithai ^H863 the son ^H1121 of Ribai ^H7380 of Gibeah, ^H1390 that pertained to the children ^H1121 of Benjamin, ^H1144 Benaiah ^H1141 the Pirathonite, ^H6553 Hurai ^H2360 of the brooks ^H5158 of Gaash, ^H1608 Abiel ^H22 the Arbathite, ^H6164 Azmaveth ^H5820 the Baharumite, ^H978 Eliahba ^H455 the Shaalbonite, ^H8170 The sons ^H1121 of Hashem ^H2044 the Gizonite, ^H1493 Jonathan ^H3129 the son ^H1121 of Shage ^H7681 the Hararite, ^H2043 Ahiam ^H279 the son ^H1121 of Sacar ^H7940 the Hararite, ^H2043 Eliphal ^H465 the son ^H1121 of Ur, ^H218 Hepher ^H2660 the Mecherathite, ^H4382 Ahijah ^H281 the Pelonite, ^H6397 Hezro ^H2695 the Carmelite, ^H3761 Naarai ^H5293 the son ^H1121 of Ezbai, ^H229 Joel ^H3100 the brother ^H251 of Nathan, ^H5416 Mibhar ^H4006 the son ^H1121 of Haggeri, ^H1905 Zelek ^H6768 the Ammonite, ^H5984 Naharai ^H5171 the Berothite, ^H1307 the armourbearer ^H5375 ^H3627 of Joab ^H3097 the son ^H1121 of Zeruiah, ^H6870 Ira ^H5896 the Ithrite, ^H3505 Gareb ^H1619 the Ithrite, ^H3505 Uriah ^H223 the Hittite, ^H2850 Zabad ^H2066 the son ^H1121 of Ahlai, ^H304 Adina ^H5721 the son ^H1121 of Shiza ^H7877 the Reubenite, ^H7206 a captain ^H7218 of the Reubenites, ^H7206 and thirty ^H7970 with him, Hanan ^H2605 the son ^H1121 of Maachah, ^H4601 and Joshaphat ^H3146 the Mithnite, ^H4981 Uzzia ^H5814 the Ashterathite, ^H6254 Shama ^H8091 and Jehiel ^H3273 the sons ^H1121 of Hothan ^H2369 the Aroerite, ^H6200 Jediael ^H3043 the son ^H1121 of Shimri, ^H8113 and Joha ^H3109 his brother, ^H251 the Tizite, ^H8491 Eliel ^H447 the Mahavite, ^H4233 and Jeribai, ^H3403 and Joshaviah, ^H3145 the sons ^H1121 of Elnaam, ^H493 and Ithmah ^H3495 the Moabite, ^H4125 Eliel, ^H447 and Obed, ^H5744 and Jasiel ^H3300 the Mesobaite. ^H4677

1 Chronicles 27:1-34 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 after their number, ^H4557 to wit, the chief ^H7218 fathers ^H1 and captains ^H8269 of thousands ^H505 and hundreds, ^H3967 and their officers ^H7860 that served ^H8334 the king ^H4428 in any matter ^H1697 of the courses, ^H4256 which came in ^H935 and went out ^H3318 month ^H2320 by month ^H2320 throughout all the months ^H2320 of the year, ^H8141 of every ^H259 course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 Over the first ^H7223 course ^H4256 for the first ^H7223 month ^H2320 was Jashobeam ^H3434 the son ^H1121 of Zabdiel: ^H2068 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 Of the children ^H1121 of Perez ^H6557 was the chief ^H7218 of all the captains ^H8269 of the host ^H6635 for the first ^H7223 month. ^H2320 And over the course ^H4256 of the second ^H8145 month ^H2320 was Dodai ^H1737 an Ahohite, ^H266 and of his course ^H4256 was Mikloth ^H4732 also the ruler: ^H5057 in his course ^H4256 likewise were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The third ^H7992 captain ^H8269 of the host ^H6635 for the third ^H7992 month ^H2320 was Benaiah ^H1141 the son ^H1121 of Jehoiada, ^H3077 a chief ^H7218 priest: ^H3548 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 This is that Benaiah, ^H1141 who was mighty ^H1368 among the thirty, ^H7970 and above the thirty: ^H7970 and in his course ^H4256 was Ammizabad ^H5990 his son. ^H1121 The fourth ^H7243 captain for the fourth ^H7243 month ^H2320 was Asahel ^H6214 the brother ^H251 of Joab, ^H3097 and Zebadiah ^H2069 his son ^H1121 after ^H310 him: and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The fifth ^H2549 captain ^H8269 for the fifth ^H2549 month ^H2320 was Shamhuth ^H8049 the Izrahite: ^H3155 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The sixth ^H8345 captain for the sixth ^H8345 month ^H2320 was Ira ^H5896 the son ^H1121 of Ikkesh ^H6142 the Tekoite: ^H8621 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The seventh ^H7637 captain for the seventh ^H7637 month ^H2320 was Helez ^H2503 the Pelonite, ^H6397 of the children ^H1121 of Ephraim: ^H669 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The eighth ^H8066 captain for the eighth ^H8066 month ^H2320 was Sibbecai ^H5444 the Hushathite, ^H2843 of the Zarhites: ^H2227 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The ninth ^H8671 captain for the ninth ^H8671 month ^H2320 was Abiezer ^H44 the Anetothite, ^H6069 of the Benjamites: ^H1145 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The tenth ^H6224 captain for the tenth ^H6224 month ^H2320 was Maharai ^H4121 the Netophathite, ^H5200 of the Zarhites: ^H2227 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The eleventh ^H6249 ^H6240 captain for the eleventh ^H6249 ^H6240 month ^H2320 was Benaiah ^H1141 the Pirathonite, ^H6553 of the children ^H1121 of Ephraim: ^H669 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 The twelfth ^H8147 ^H6240 captain for the twelfth ^H8147 ^H6240 month ^H2320 was Heldai ^H2469 the Netophathite, ^H5200 of Othniel: ^H6274 and in his course ^H4256 were twenty ^H6242 and four ^H702 thousand. ^H505 Furthermore over the tribes ^H7626 of Israel: ^H3478 the ruler ^H5057 of the Reubenites ^H7206 was Eliezer ^H461 the son ^H1121 of Zichri: ^H2147 of the Simeonites, ^H8099 Shephatiah ^H8203 the son ^H1121 of Maachah: ^H4601 Of the Levites, ^H3881 Hashabiah ^H2811 the son ^H1121 of Kemuel: ^H7055 of the Aaronites, ^H175 Zadok: ^H6659 Of Judah, ^H3063 Elihu, ^H453 one of the brethren ^H251 of David: ^H1732 of Issachar, ^H3485 Omri ^H6018 the son ^H1121 of Michael: ^H4317 Of Zebulun, ^H2074 Ishmaiah ^H3460 the son ^H1121 of Obadiah: ^H5662 of Naphtali, ^H5321 Jerimoth ^H3406 the son ^H1121 of Azriel: ^H5837 Of the children ^H1121 of Ephraim, ^H669 Hoshea ^H1954 the son ^H1121 of Azaziah: ^H5812 of the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh, ^H4519 Joel ^H3100 the son ^H1121 of Pedaiah: ^H6305 Of the half ^H2677 tribe of Manasseh ^H4519 in Gilead, ^H1568 Iddo ^H3035 the son ^H1121 of Zechariah: ^H2148 of Benjamin, ^H1144 Jaasiel ^H3300 the son ^H1121 of Abner: ^H74 Of Dan, ^H1835 Azareel ^H5832 the son ^H1121 of Jeroham. ^H3395 These were the princes ^H8269 of the tribes ^H7626 of Israel. ^H3478 But David ^H1732 took ^H5375 not the number ^H4557 of them from twenty ^H6242 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 and under: ^H4295 because the LORD ^H3068 had said ^H559 he would increase ^H7235 Israel ^H3478 like to the stars ^H3556 of the heavens. ^H8064 Joab ^H3097 the son ^H1121 of Zeruiah ^H6870 began ^H2490 to number, ^H4487 but he finished ^H3615 not, because there fell wrath ^H7110 for it ^H2063 against Israel; ^H3478 neither was the number ^H4557 put ^H5927 in the account ^H4557 of the chronicles ^H1697 ^H3117 of king ^H4428 David. ^H1732 And over the king's ^H4428 treasures ^H214 was Azmaveth ^H5820 the son ^H1121 of Adiel: ^H5717 and over the storehouses ^H214 in the fields, ^H7704 in the cities, ^H5892 and in the villages, ^H3723 and in the castles, ^H4026 was Jehonathan ^H3083 the son ^H1121 of Uzziah: ^H5818 And over them that did ^H6213 the work ^H4399 of the field ^H7704 for tillage ^H5656 of the ground ^H127 was Ezri ^H5836 the son ^H1121 of Chelub: ^H3620 And over the vineyards ^H3754 was Shimei ^H8096 the Ramathite: ^H7435 over the increase of the vineyards ^H3754 for the wine ^H3196 cellars ^H214 was Zabdi ^H2067 the Shiphmite: ^H8225 And over the olive trees ^H2132 and the sycomore trees ^H8256 that were in the low plains ^H8219 was Baalhanan ^H1177 the Gederite: ^H1451 and over the cellars ^H214 of oil ^H8081 was Joash: ^H3135 And over the herds ^H1241 that fed ^H7462 in Sharon ^H8289 was Shitrai ^H7861 the Sharonite: ^H8290 and over the herds ^H1241 that were in the valleys ^H6010 was Shaphat ^H8202 the son ^H1121 of Adlai: ^H5724 Over the camels ^H1581 also was Obil ^H179 the Ishmaelite: ^H3459 and over the asses ^H860 was Jehdeiah ^H3165 the Meronothite: ^H4824 And over the flocks ^H6629 was Jaziz ^H3151 the Hagerite. ^H1905 All these were the rulers ^H8269 of the substance ^H7399 which was king ^H4428 David's. ^H1732 Also Jonathan ^H3083 David's ^H1732 uncle ^H1730 was a counsellor, ^H3289 a wise ^H995 man, ^H376 and a scribe: ^H5608 and Jehiel ^H3171 the son ^H1121 of Hachmoni ^H2453 was with the king's ^H4428 sons: ^H1121 And Ahithophel ^H302 was the king's ^H4428 counsellor: ^H3289 and Hushai ^H2365 the Archite ^H757 was the king's ^H4428 companion: ^H7453 And after ^H310 Ahithophel ^H302 was Jehoiada ^H3077 the son ^H1121 of Benaiah, ^H1141 and Abiathar: ^H54 and the general ^H8269 of the king's ^H4428 army ^H6635 was Joab. ^H3097

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 28 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 28

The account we have of David's exit, in the beginning of the first book of Kings, does not make his sun nearly so bright as that given in this and the following chapter, where we have his solemn farewell both to his son and his subjects, and must own that he finished well. In this chapter we have,

I. A general convention of the states summoned to meet (v. 1).
II. A solemn declaration of the divine entail both of the crown and of the honour of building the temple upon Solomon (v. 2-7).
III. An exhortation both to the people and to Solomon to make religion their business (v. 8-10).
IV. The model and materials delivered to Solomon for the building of the temple (v. 11-19).
V. Encouragement given him to undertake it and proceed in it (v. 20, 21).

1Ch 28:1-10

A great deal of service David had done in his day, had served his generation according to the will of God, Acts 13:36. But now the time draws night that he must die, and, as a type of the Son of David, the nearer he comes to his end the more busy he is, and does his work with all his might. He is now a little recovered from the indisposition mentioned 1 Ki. 1:1, when they covered him with clothes, and he got no heat: but what cure is there for old age? He therefore improves his recovery, as giving him an opportunity of doing God and his country a little more service.

I. He summoned all the great men to attend him, that he might take leave of them all together, v. 1. Thus Moses did (Deu. 31:28), and Joshua, ch. 23:2; 24:1. David would not declare the settlement of the crown but in the presence, and to the satisfaction, of those that were the representatives of the people.
II. He addressed them with a great deal of respect and tenderness. He not only exerted himself to rise from his bed, to give them the meeting (the occasion putting new spirits into him), but he rose out of his chair, and stood up upon his feet (v. 2), in reverence to God whose will he was to declare, and in reverence to this solemn assembly of the Israel of God, as if he looked upon himself, though major singulis-greater than any individual among them, yet minor universis-less than the whole of them together. His age and infirmities, as well as his dignity, might well have allowed him to keep his seat; but he would show that he was indeed humbled for the pride of his heart both in the numbers of his people and his dominion over them. It had been too much his pleasure that they were all his servants (ch. 21:3), but now he calls them his brethren, whom he loved, his people, whom he took care of, not his servants, whom he had command of: Hear me, my brethren, and my people. It becomes superiors thus to speak with affection and condescension even to their inferiors; they will not be the less honoured for it, but the more beloved. Thus he engages their attention to what he was about to say.
III. He declared the purpose he had formed to build a temple for God, and God's disallowing that purpose, v. 2, 3. This he had signified to Solomon before, ch. 22:7, 8. A house of rest for the ark is here said to be a house of rest for the footstool of our God; for heaven is his throne of glory; the earth, and the most magnificent temples that can be built upon it, are but his footstool: so much difference is there between the manifestations of the divine glory in the upper and lower world. Angels surround his throne, Isa. 6:1. We poor worms do but worship at his footstool Ps. 99:5; 132:7. As an evidence of the sincerity of his purpose to build the temple, he tells them that he had made ready for it, but that God would not suffer him to proceed because he had appointed other work for him to do, which was enough for one man, namely, the managing of the wars of Israel. He must serve the public with the sword; another must do it with the line and plummet. Times of rest are building times, Acts 9:31.
IV. He produced his own title first, and then Solomon's, to the crown; both were undoubtedly jure divino-divine. They could make out such a title as no monarch on earth can; the Lord God of Israel chose them both immediately, by prophecy, not providence, v. 4, 5. No right of primogeniture is pretended. Detur digniori, non seniori-It went by worth, not by age.
- 1. Judah was not the eldest son of Jacob, yet God chose that tribe to be the ruling tribe; Jacob entailed the sceptre upon it, Gen. 49:10.
- 2. It does not appear that the family of Jesse was the senior house of that tribe; from Judah it is certain that it was not, for Shelah was before Pharez; whether from Nahshon and Salmon is not certain. Ram, the father of Nahshon, had a elder brother, 1 Chr. 2:9. Perhaps so had Boaz, Obed, and Jesse. Yet "God chose the house of my father.'
- 3. David was the youngest son of Jesse, yet God liked him to make him king; so it seemed good unto him. God takes whom he likes, and likes whom he makes like himself, as he did David, a man after his own heart.
- 4. Solomon was one of the youngest sons of David, and yet God chose him to sit upon the throne, because he was the likeliest of them all to build the temple, the wisest and best inclined.
V. He opened to them God's gracious purposes concerning Solomon (v. 6, 7): I have chosen him to be my son. Thus he declares the decree, that the Lord had said to Solomon, as a type of Christ, Thou art my son (Ps. 2:7), the son of my love; for he was called Jedidiah, because the Lord loved him, and Christ is his beloved Son. Of him God said, as a figure of him that was to come,
- 1. He shall build my house. Christ is both the founder and the foundation of the gospel temple.
- 2. I will establish his kingdom for ever. This must have its accomplishment in the kingdom of the Messiah, which shall continue in his hands through all the ages of time (Isa. 9:7; Lu. 1:33) and shall then be delivered up to God, even the Father, yet perhaps to be delivered back to the Redeemer for ever. As to Solomon, this promise of the establishment of his kingdom is here made conditional: If he be constant to do my commandments, as at this day. Solomon was now very towardly and good: "If he continue so, his kingdom shall continue, otherwise not.' Note, If we be constant to our duty, then, and not otherwise, we may expect the continuance of God's favour. Let those that are well taught, and begin well, take notice of this-if they be constant, they are happy; perseverance wears the crown, though it wins it not.
VI. He charged them to adhere stedfastly to God and their duty, v. 8. Observe,
- 1. The matter for this charge: Keep, and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God. The Lord was their God; his commandments must be their rule; they must have respect to them all, must make conscience of keeping them, and, in order thereunto, must seek for them, that is, must be inquisitive concerning their duty, search the scriptures, take advice, seek the law at the mouth of those whose lips were to keep this knowledge, and pray to God to teach and direct them. God's commandments will not be kept without great care.
- 2. The solemnity of it. He charged them in the sight of all Israel, who would all have notice of this public charge, and in the audience of their God. "God is witness, and this congregation is witness, that they have good counsel given them, and fair warning; if they do not take it, it is their fault, and God and man will be witnesses against them.' See 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 4:1. Those that profess religion, as they tender the favour of God and their reputation with men, must be faithful to their profession.
- 3. The motive to observe this charge. It was the way to be happy, to have the peaceable possession of this good land themselves and to preserve the entail of it upon their children.
VII. He concluded with a charge to Solomon himself, v. 9, 10. He was much concerned that Solomon should be religious. He was to be a great man, but he must not think religion below him-a wise man, and this would be his wisdom. Observe,
- 1. The charge he gives him. He must look upon God and the God of his father, his good father, who had devoted him to God and educated him for God. He was born in God's house and therefore bound in duty to be his, brought up in his house and therefore bound in gratitude. Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not. He must know God and serve him. We cannot serve God aright if we do not know him; and in vain do we know him if we do not serve him, serve him with heart and mind. We make nothing of religion if we do not mind it, and make heart-work of it. Serve him with a perfect, that is, an upright heart (for sincerity is our gospel perfection), and with a willing mind, from a principle of love, and as a willing people, cheerfully and with pleasure.
- 2. The arguments to enforce this charge.
  - (1.) Two arguments of general inducement:-
    - [1.] That the secrets of our souls are open before God; he searches all hearts, even the hearts of kings, which to men are unsearchable, Prov. 25:3. We must therefore be sincere, because, if we deal deceitfully, God sees it, and cannot be imposed upon; we must therefore employ our thoughts, and engage them in God's service, because he fully understands all the imaginations of them, both good and bad.
    - [2.] That we are happy or miserable here, and for ever, according as we do, or do not, serve God. If we seek him diligently, he will be found of us, and that is enough to make us happy, Heb. 11:6. If we forsake him, desert his service and turn from following him, he will cast us off for ever, and that is enough to make us miserable. Note, God never casts any off till they have first cast him off. Here is,
  - (2.) One argument peculiar to Solomon (v. 10): "Thou art to build a house for the sanctuary; therefore seek and serve God, that that work may be done from a good principle, in a right manner, and may be accepted.'
- 3. The means prescribed in order hereunto, and they are prescribed to us all.
  - (1.) Caution: Take heed; beware of every thing that looks like, or leads to, that which is evil.
  - (2.) Courage: Be strong, and do it. We cannot do our work as we should unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from divine grace.

1Ch 28:11-21

As for the general charge that David gave his son to seek God and serve him, the book of the law was, in that, his only rule, and there needed no other; but, in building the temple, David was now to give him three things:-

1. A model of the building, because it was to be such a building as neither he nor his architects ever saw. Moses had a pattern of the tabernacle shown him in the mount (Heb. 8:5), so had David of the temple, by the immediate hand of God upon him, v. 19. It was given him in writing, probably by the ministry of an angel, or as clearly and exactly represented to his mind as if it had been in writing. But it is said (v. 12), He had this pattern by the Spirit. The contrivance either of David's devotion or of Solomon's wisdom must not be trusted to in an affair of this nature. The temple must be a sacred thing and a type of Christ; there must be in it not only convenience and decency, but significancy: it was a kind of sacrament, and therefore it must not be left to man's art or invention to contrive it, but must be framed by divine institution. Christ the true temple, the church the gospel temple, and heaven the everlasting temple, are all framed according to the divine councils, and the plan laid in the divine wisdom, ordained before the world for God's glory and ours. This pattern David gave to Solomon, that he might know what to provide and might go by a certain rule. When Christ left with his disciples a charge to build his gospel church he gave them an exact model of it, ordering them to observe that, and that only, which he commanded. The particular models are here mentioned, of the porch, which was higher than the rest, like a steeple,-then the houses, both the holy place and the most holy, with the rooms adjoining, which were for treasuries, chambers, and parlours,-especially the place of the mercy-seat (v. 11),-of the courts likewise, and the chambers about them, in which the dedicated things were laid up. Bishop Patrick supposes that, among other things, the tabernacle which Moses reared and all the utensils of it, which there was now no further occasion for, were laid up here, signifying that in the fulness of time all the Mosaic economy, all the rites and ceremonies of that dispensation, should be respectfully laid aside, and something better come in their room. He gave him a table of the courses of the priests, patterns of the vessels of service (v. 13), and a pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, v. 18. Besides the two cherubim over the mercy-seat, there were two much larger, whose wings reached from wall to wall (1 Ki. 6:23, etc.), and of these David here gave Solomon the pattern, called a chariot; for the angels are the chariots of God, Ps. 68:17.
2. Materials for the most costly of the utensils of the temple. That they might not be made any less than the patterns, he weighed out the exact quantity for each vessel both of gold and silver, v. 14. In the tabernacle there was but one golden candlestick; in the temple there were ten (1 Ki. 7:49), besides silver ones, which, it is supposed, were hand-candlesticks, v. 15. In the tabernacle there was but one table; but in the temple, besides that on which the show-bread was set, there were ten others for other uses (2 Chr. 4:8), besides silver tables; for, this house being much larger than that, it would look bare if it had not furniture proportionable. The gold for the altar of incense is particularly said to be refined gold (v. 18), purer than any of the rest; for that was typical of the intercession of Christ, than which nothing is more pure and perfect.
3. Directions which way to look for help in this great undertaking. "Fear not opposition; fear not the charge, care, and trouble; fear not miscarrying in it, as in the case of Uzza; fear not the reproach of the foolish builder, that began to build and was not able to finish. Be not dismayed.
- (1.) God will help thee, and thou must look up to him in the first place (v. 20): The Lord God, even my God, whom I have chosen and served, who has all along been present with me and prospered me, and to whom, from my own experience of his power and goodness, I recommend thee, he will be with thee, to direct, strengthen, and prosper thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee.' Note, We may be sure that God, who owned our fathers and carried them through the services of their day, will, in like manner, if we be faithful to him, go along with us in our day, and will never leave us, while he has any work to do in us or by us. The same that was Joshua's encouragement (Jos. 1:5), and Solomon's, is given to all believers, Heb. 13:5. He will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. God never leaves any unless they first leave him.
- (2.) "Good men will help thee, v. 21. The priests and Levites will advise thee, and thou mayest consult them. Thou hast good workmen, who are both willing and skilful;' and these are two very good properties in a workman, especially in those that work at the temple. And, lastly, "The princes and the people will be so far from opposing or retarding the work that they will be wholly at thy command, every one in his place ready to further it.' Then good work is likely to go on when all parties concerned are hearty in it, and none secretly clog it, but all drive on heartily in it.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Chronicles » Chapter 28 » Verse 1