Westminster Annotations, 1 Kings (3 Kings) · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
Vers. 1. SOlemon assembled] 2 Chton. 5. 2. For the greater solemnity, as 1 Chron. 13. 1, &c.
elders] Such as for age and prudence were principall officers, Levit. 4. 15.
heads] The highest and chiefest in dignity, Num. 1. 4.
chief] Heb. princes. Principall governours.
unto king] Unto himself: a phrase proper to the Hebrew tongue. So Chap. 2. vers. 19.
bring up] For the temple was built on a mount, 2 Chron. 3. 1. and the temple was a worthier place.
a…k of the covenant] See Chap. 3. v. 15.
citie] Where David had set it, 2 Sam. 6. 12, 17. See the notes on 1 King. 3. 1.
Zion] See Chap. 2. 50.
V. 2. feast] Of tabernacles (2 Chron. 5. 3.) This was one of the three great feasts, in which all the males were to go to the house of the LORD, Deut. 16. 13, 16. and it was in the monethmonth here mentioned, Levit. 23. 34.
Ethanim] See Chap. 6. 1.
V. 3. all] That were come to Jerusalem.
elders] To accompany the king.
priests] To carry the ark, 1 Chron. 15. 2, 14.
V. 4. the ark] See v. 6.
tabernacle] That which Moses made, Exod. 36. 8. As a sacred monument it was laid up in the temple, never to be removed again, as formerly it had been. For first, in the wildernesse it was carried up and down for the space of fourty yeers, Exod. 40. 2. Secondly, It abode in Gilgal (Josh. 4. 20.) about fourteen yeers. Thirdly, It remained in Shiloh till Samuels time; Josh. 18. 1. 1 Sam. 4. 4. Psal. 78. 60. Jerem. 7. 12. Fourthly, It was in Nob (1 Sam. 21. 1.) till Saul destroyed that place, 1 Sam. 22. 19. Fifthly, It was in Gibeon all Davids time, 1 Chron. 16. 39. Sixthly, from thence it was brought into Zion, to be brought with the ark into the temple. See further 2 Maccab. 2. 5. See the notes on 2 Sam. 6. 17.
V. 5. before the ark] As had before been done when David brought the ark to Zion, 2 Sam. 6. 13.
could not] An hyperbolicall phrase, which importeth an exceeding great number: and it puts a difference betwixt Solomons solemnity here, and Davids, 2 Sam. 6. 13.
V. 6. the priests] To whom that office belonged, Deut. 31. 9.
his place] Appointed for it, Exod. 26. 33, 34.
cherubims] The cherubims which Moses made, were fastened to the mercy-seat, wherewith the ark was covered (Exod. 37. 7.) so as those cherubims with the mercy-seat, and ark, stood by these cherubims.
V. 7. staves] To bear the ark, Exod. 37. 4, 5.
above] Over the ark, and the staves thereof.
V. 8. drew out] For they might not be clean taken away, Exod. 25. 15.
ends] Heb. heads.
seen] For a memoriall, that in former times the ark had been cartied up and down.
holy] Or, ark: as 2 Chron. 5. 9.
before the oracle] At the entrance betwixt the holy and most holy place so as they who stood at that entrance before the Oracle, might see those barres.
without] By such as were without the most holy place, and not at that entrance.
to this day] An Hebrew phrase which implies a perpetuity, Gen. 26. 33. and 32. 12. so long as the temple stood they so remained therein.
V. 9. nothing] This shews that the pot of Manna, and Aarons rod (mentioned Heb. 9. 4.) were not in the ark at this time: so as the Apostle there speaketh of the ark in Moses his time, or else the relative particle there hath reference to the most holy place.
save the two tables of stone] Deut. 10. 5.
Horeb] See Chap. 19. 8.
when] Or, where.
made] Heb. cut. Gen. 15. 18. This defective phrase is frequent, as … Chron. 5. 10. 1 Sam. 20. 16. and 22. 8.
V. 10. holy place] The temple where the priests executed their function, Exod. 26. 33. See 2 Chron. 5. 11.
a cloud] As a manifestation of Gods presence, Levit. 16. 2. In a cloud did God oft manifest his presence, and called it his glory, in the next verse, to shew that his Majesty is incomprehensible, and the brightnesse thereof such, as if it were not clouded over, it would dazle, and utterly confound us.
filled the house of the Lord] All the parts of it, from one end to another, Exod. 40. 34.
V. 11. could not stand] First, for reverence sake, as Exod. 3. 5. Secondly, upon a great amazement, 1 Chro. 21. 16, 30. Thirdly, for want of convenient light. Object. This phrase following (the glory of the Lord) implieth, light in the cloud. Ans. 1. Not necessarily. Well weigh verse 12. 2. It might be a great brightnesse, and yet not give convenient light to do any work thereby. 3. It might dazle them too much. The like is noted, Exod. 40. 35.
glory of the Lord] Set out in the cloud. This the LORD did to shew his approbation of all that was done, as Gen. 4. 4. 1 Kin. 18. 38. and by a visible sign to sanctifie to himself that place, as Exod. 40. 34. Levit. 9. 24.
V. 12. Then] Upon that manifestation of Gods glory,
V. 49. their cause] Or, right. Take part with thy people that repent, and pray against the unjust oppression of their enemies, Isai. 10. 6, 7. and 47. 6. Zach. 1. 15.
V. 50. give them compassion] Procure pitty, grace, and favour for them. Turn the heart of their enemies toward them, Gen. 39. 21. and 43. 14. Examples, Ezra 7. 6. Nehe. 2. 2. Esth. 2. 9, 17. and 6. 10. and 10. 2, 3. Dan. 1. 9, 17. and 2 48, 49. Psal. 106. 46.
V 51. furnace of iron] Hard and cruell oppression. See Deut. 4. 20. Isai. 48. 10. A furnace to melt iron in useth to be the hottest. See Jerem. 11. 4.
V. 53. separate] Chosen and called there to be a peculiar people to himself, Exod. 19. 5. Deut. 7. 6. and 14. 2.
inheritance] Men are very carefull of their inheritance, to keep it, to fence it, every way to improve it for the best advantage they can, Deut. 9. 26, 29.
as thou spakest by the hand of Moses] Exod. 19. 5.
V. 54. from kneeling] See v. 22.
spreading] See v. 22.
V. 55. blessed] See v. 14.
V. 56. rest] peace.
according to all] He hath to the full, accomplished all that he promised, Josh. 23. 14.
failed] Heb. fallen. Or, lest any thing undone.
hand] Or, ministery, Exod. 4. 13.
V. 57. with us] Oft was this promised, Deut. 31. 6, 8. Josh. 1. 5. 1 Chron. 28. 20. Mark the inferences made heroupon, Rom. 8. 31. Heb. 13. 5, 6.
V. 58. incline] Psal. 9. 36. Otherwise nothing can be well done, 2 Cor. 3. 5.
wayes] See chap. 2. v. 3.
V. 59. nigh] Ever in his minde and memory.
the cause] See v. 45.
his servant] Solomon, as v. 28.
at all times] Heb. the thing of a day in his day. Day after day. The Hebrew phrase is translated daily (Exod. 5. 13, 19. Dan. 1. 5.) every day (Exod. 16. 4.) upon his day (Levit. 23. 37.) as every dayes work required (1 Chron. 16. 37.) after a certain rate every day (2 Chron. 8. 13.) as the duty of every day required, 2 Chron. 8. 14.
V. 60. may know that the Lord is God] Deut. 4. 35, 39.
V. 61. perfect] Entire, in a sincere subjection of it self wholly, and onelyonly to God, 1 Chro. 28. 9. and 29. 19. 2 King. 20. 3. This is the best and greatest perfection that in this world can be attained unto. See Gen. 17. 1.
as at this day] Still, from time to time continually, as now ye do.
V. 62. the king, and all Israel with him, offered, &c.] 2 Chr. 7. 4.
V. 63. two and twenty thousand, &c.] The greatest that we read of. Great sacrifices are mentioned, 1 Chro. 29. 21. 2 Chr. 15. 11. and 29. 32. and 30. 24. and 35. 7, 8, 9. But none like this. By the multitude of sacrifices, pious Jews were wont to testifie their zealous and gratefull affection to God: wherein hypocrites would make shew of imitating them, Mic. 6. 7.
and all] They also brought oxen and sheep, and so made up the foresaid number.
dedicated] By their joynt prayers, praises, and sacrifices.
V. 64. The same day did the king] 2 Chron. 7. 7. By the ministery of the priests.
hallow Set apart to that holy service, Exod. 13. 2, 12.
the middle] Of the priests court: either by erecting other altars there, for that present use, or by using the pavement in steed of an altar.
burnt-offerings, &c.] Under these three heads, all ordinary sacrifices are comprised: as Josh. 22. 23. Of burnt-offerings, see Levit. 1. of meat-offerings, see Levit. 2. of peace-offerings, see Levit. 3. See chap. 3. 15.
V. 65. at that time] At the dedication of the temple.
a feast] Beside the feast of tabernacles, v. 2. See on 1 Chr. 16. 3. from the entring] Which came from all coasts of the land, even from north to south.
Hamath] The utmost part of Canaan on the north, Numb. 13. 22. and 34. 7, 8.
river of Egypt] On the south. Numb. 34. 3, 5. Josh. 13. 3. See chap. 4. 21.
seven and seven] Seven for the feast of tabernacles, Levit. 23. 34. and seven for the dedication, 2 Chron. 7. 9. See the notes on 1 Chron. 15. 26.
V. 66. the eighth day] After the second feast, being the three and twentieth of the seventh monethmonth, 2 Chron. 7. 10. For on the two and twentieth day, an holy convocation was enjoyned, Levit. 23. 36.
blessed] Thanked him, and prayed to God for him.
David] Davids house and posterity, according to the promise made to David himself.