Westminster Annotations, 1 Kings (3 Kings) · Chapter 9
CHAP IX.
Vers. 1. IT came to passe when Solomon had finished the luilding …f the house of the Lord] 2 Chron. 7. 11.
(and the kings house, and all Solomons desire, which he was pleased to do) This latter part of the verse must be included in a parenthesis, for the second verse depends on the former part. To make up the sence of the latter part, the principall verb may be repeated, and thus added, he finished.
V. 2. second time] See chap. 6. v. 11.
as he had appeared] Chap. 3. 5. In the night, 2 Chron. 7. 12.
V. 3. I have hallowed] Set it apart to those holy uses for which thou hast prayed, Gen. 2. 3.
my rame] See chap. 8. v. 16.
mine eyes] See chap. 8. 29.
mine heart] I will not onelyonly take notice of the prayers made… and services done in this house, but also set my heart thereon, and manifest my grace and favour therein.
V. 4. if thou wilt] See chapter 2. vers. 4. and 3. 14. and 6. 12, 13.
V. 5. establish] Make to continue: so as no other stock, but thine, shall sit thereon, Chap. 2. 4. and 8. 25. 2 Sam. 7. 16.
for ever] See chap. 8. 13.
as I promised to David thy father] 2 Sam. 7. 12. 1 Chron. 22. 10.
V. 6. at all turn] Heb. turning, turn. Clean turn away, obstinately, totally.
from following me] Heb. from after me; If ye shall renounce me, and my service: as servants who are weary of their master, and will no longer follow him, 1 King. 18. 21.
V. 7. I will cut off] As a tree stocked up: rout and branches, 2 King. 17. 20.
for my name] Vers. 3. Jes…m. 7. 14.
out of my sight] Out of my protection and favour. This is directly contrary to the promised blessing, vers. 3.
a preverb] Such as this, worse then a Jew. To other painfull judgements, shame and disgrace shall be added, Deut. 28. 37. Jerem. 24. 9.
V. 8. astonished] Through horrour.
hisse] In derision and scorn, Jere. 19. 8. Lam. 2. 15.
Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house?] Deut. 29. 24. Jerem. 22. 8.
V. 9. they forsook] The very heathen detest apostasie, as justly deserving severe vengeance. See Jerem. 2. 11. Lam. 4. 15.
therefore] Gods judgements appear just in all mens eyes.
V. 10. it came to passe at the end of twenty yeers, when Solomon had built the two houses] 2 Chron. 8. 1.
house of the Lord] In seven yeers, Chap. 6. v. 38.
the kings house] In thirteen yeers, chap. 7. v. 1. under the kings house, the queens house (chap. 7. 8.) the house of Lebanon (chap. 7. 1.) and the appurtenances to them, are comprised.
V. 11. Galilee] That which is stiled Galilee of the Gentiles. Isai. 9. 1. Matth. 4. 15. So called, because it was, before Davids time, inhabited by Gentiles, and because it bordered upon the Gentiles, namely upon Tyrus. See the notes on Josh. 19. 27. Or, Galilee may be taken appellatively for a circuit of land, (Joel 3. 4.) and applyed to such cities, as without the land of Israels inheritance, might not be alienated.
V. 12. pleased him not] Heb. were not right in his eyes. Gave him no content. Therefore he returned them back again to Solomon, 2 Chron. 8. 2. See the notes on Joshua 19. vers. 27.
V. 13. What cities] This interrogation importeth a dislike.
my brother] Kings are brothers in office, Chap. 20. 32.
Cabul] That is, displeasing, or, dirty.
unto this day] This phrase implieth a perpetuall continuance of a thing, as Gen. 26. 33. at least till the time of writing this history.
V. 14. sent] Upon compact, and that time after time, while he was building the foresaid houses: not all at once.
a haunched and twenty talents] The Jews had two talents, one sacred, the other common. The sacred was in weight and worth, as much more as the common. The sacred in gold was reputed to be three thousand seven hundred and fifty pound in value. The common, one thousand eight hundred seventy and five pound; multiply either of these one hundred and twenty times, and the quantitie will be sound to be very great. See the notes on 1 Chron. 22. 14.
V. 15. levy] Of men, as chap. 5. 13. Because he had such plenty of money, and of all things fit to accomplith great works, he made great levies of men. This very word is applyed (v. 21.) to such men as he used for his works.
Millo] According to the Hebrew notation, it signifieth a fulnesse, or a place filled up. Some thereupon take it to be an high strong bulwark filled up with earth: Others, for a spaciou… place for people that attended the kings court to meet in. It is called an house, 2 King. 12. 20. and it appears to be an house of defence, or a sort, because in danger of enemies
Solomon discerning this to be a sign of Gods gracious presence quickly makes known as much.
said] 2 Chron. 6. 1. Levit. 16. 2. Psal. 18. 12. and 97. 2. In that God oft manifested himself in darknesse, it is as much as if he had said he would dwell therein.
V. 13. surely built] Or, building I have built] Or, perfectly finished.
for thee] He directeth his speech to God, to testifie the great devotion of his soul.
to dwell in] To manifest thy presence therein: See chap. 6. v. 13.
a setled] Not to be removed, as the tabernacle was. See v. 4.
for ever] So long as Israel should remain to be the people of God: as Gen. 13. 15. Exod. 12. 17.
V. 14. about] From the west, where the oracle stood, to the east, where the people stood together.
blessed] Prayed to the LORD for all blessings on them, as Num. 6. 23. Psal. 118. 26. Yea, blessed the LORD for his mercy to them, as vers. 55, 56.
all] See v. 3.
stood] In testimony of their reverence, attention and observation.
V. 15. Blessed] Praised, Psal. 115. 17, 18.
spake] By Nathan, 2 Sam. 7. 6. For prophets are Gods mouth, Exod. 4. 15. Isai. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 3.
V. 16. Since the day] From the time that I made Israel a distinct, peculiar and free people.
I chose] I declared not my minde concerning such a matter, as Zach. 2. 12.
my name] That it might be dedicated to me, for a place of my worship, and for service to be performed to me therein, Deut. 12. 11.
but I chose David] Till I chose, 1 Chron. 28. 4. He means not onelyonly a choice of Davids person, but also his stock and posterity. God did not so chuse Saul, 2 Sam. 7. 15, 27. 2 Sam. 7. 8.
V. 17. in the heart] He purposed. So 1 Sam. 7. 3. 1 Chron. 22. 7.
V. 18. thou didst well] A phrase of approbation. That God approved this purpose of David, is evident by the promise he made thereupon, 2 Sam. 7. 11, &c.
V. 19. out of thy loyns] Whom thou shalt beget, 2 Sam. 7. 12. Gen. 35. 11.
V. 20. am risen up] Do succeed. My father being dead, I in his room am set on his throne.
promised] 2 Sam. 7. 12. &c. 1 Chron. 28. 5.
V. 21. for the ark] See vers. 6.
the covenant] The two tables of stone (vers. 9.) wherein the law that God gave as a covenant to his people was written.
V. 22. stood] Upon a scaffold, 2 Chro. 6. 13. 2 King. 11. 14. and 23. 3. After he had there stood a while, he kneeled down, vers. 54. standing, sets forth the erection of his spirit, and stedfastnesse of faith in God: kneeling, the humiliation of his soul, and acknowledgement of Gods supreme Sovereignty: spreading forth hands, an expectation of blessing and readinesse to receive it. This was an usuall gesture of prayer in those times, Isai. 1. 15.
before the Altar] 2 Chron. 6. 12. Of burnt offering: for he himself was in the court where the people stood, but at the door of the temple where the altar stood, turning himself towards the temple, because he made his prayer to God.
V. 23. before thee] See chap. 2. v. 4.
V. 24. kept] Begun to keep: For he prayeth for a further keeping, v. 25.
with thy mouth] Or, with thy hand: He speaketh of God figuratively after the manner of man for teaching sake.
V. 25. There shall not fail thee a man in my sight] Chap. 2. 4. 2 Sam. 7. 12. Heb. There shall not be cut off unto thee a man from my sight. There shall ever be some descending from thee by lineall descent, to sit on thy throne. See 2 Chron. 21. 7. This was especially fulfilled in Christ, Luke 1. 32, 33.
so that] Heb. onelyonly if.
V. 27. But will God] An emphaticall admiration of Gods goodnesse in vouchsafing his presence in any place on earth, 2 Chron. 2. 6. To speak properly, God cannot be contained within any compasse, as the words following shew, Acts 7. 49. He is infinite.
heaven of heavens] That which compasseth about all the other heavens, and is the most spacious place that ever was created. It is called the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12. 2.
V. 28. thy servant] He meaneth himself. It is a title (as here used) of reverence and confidence, as Psal. 116. 16.
and supplication] Prayer importeth petition for good things: supplication, a desire of pardon of sin, and of removing evils: a cry noteth the earnestnesse of desire.
V. 29. thine eyes] Another phrase applyed to God after the manner of man, as verse 24. The meaning is, That God would shew that he taketh speciall notice of all things done in that house, by hearing all manner of prayers in it, or towards
it. See Psal. 33. 18. and 34. 15. The like may be said of Gods hearkning, or being attent with his ears, 2 Chro. 6. 40.
this house] For it was an especiall type of Christ.
night and day] Continually.
My name shall be there] See vers. 16. Deut. 12. 11.
towards this place] Or, in this place. See verse 44.
V. 30. towards this place] Or, in this place.
V. 31. trespasse] Be suspected to have done wrong, as Num. 5. 14.
and an oath be laid upon him] Heb. and he require an oath of him. He means an oath of execration.
be laid upon him] By a Judge, Exod. 22. 8.
and the oath] The man that taketh the oath.
before thine altar] Which was a sign of Gods presence there.
Thither was he brought, to work in him the more fear of Gods presence, Num. 9. 16. The swearers laying his hand on a Book, among us, is to work the greater fear.
V. 32. in heaven] Though thou beest in heaven, yet shew that thou hearest things on earth.
his way] His just desert, Ezek. 9. 10. Or, such measure as he would have mete unto others.
V. 33. smitten down] Overcome. Mention is made of four cases, in regard of enemies. First, when enemies smite them down in the field. Secondly, when enemies besiege them, v. 37. Thirdly, when God sends them out against enemies, vers. 44. Fourthly, when enemies carry them into captivity, verse 46.
thy name] Thy justice, in giving them over to the enemy. See Josh. 7. 19.
in] Or, towards.
V. 35. heaven] The lowest heaven, where clouds are.
shut] When clouds let down rain, the heavens are said to be opened, Deut. 28. 12. and shut, when there is no rain, Deut. 11. 12. yea, they are said to be as iron, which melts not, when there is no rain, Levit. 26. 19.
V. 36. that thou teach them] By that affliction: Or, when thou shalt have taught them (as 2 Chron. 6. 26.) and so they have learned the end and use of thy judgements, Isai. 26. 9.
good way] Right course prescribed in Gods word: good, because pleasing to God, and profitable to themselves.
V. 37. in the land] Of Israel.
pestilence] Any inf…cting, destroying disease, 2 Sam. 15. 24.
blasting] By the east-winde, which by smiting green ears of corn, makes them wither, Gen. 41. 6.
mil-dew] A dew, that falling on corn, turns the grain into noisome dust or powder. Blasting, and mil-dew are oft joyned together, Deut. 28. 22. Amos 4. 9. Hag. 2. 17.
locust] A fly with long legs which wasteth corn, Exod. 10. 4, 5. Deut. 28. 42. So do caterpillars also, Psal. 105. 34, 35. See the notes on Levit. 11. 12. and on Matth. 3. 4. These four last are ordinary causes of famine.
in the land of their cities] Or, in the cities of their land. Or, jurisdiction, 2 Chron. 6. 28.
plague] The word signifieth a stroke: it is translated stripes, 2 Sam. 7. 14. Its put for any kinde of judgement, Exod. 11. 1.
V. 38. by any man] Singly alone.
by all] Joyntly together.
of his own heart] By which his own heart and conscience is smitten (as 2 Sam. 24. 10.) and thereby is moved to pray.
V. 39. according to his wayes] According to the present course which he taketh, namely, of repentance.
V. 41. a stranger] Willing to associate himself with the people of God.
far countrey] As Matth. 2. 1. and 12. 42. Act. 8. 27.
for thy names sake] To worship and praise thee, having heard of thee, and of thy great works, whereby he knoweth and beleeveth thee to be the onelyonly true God: As Exod. 12. 38. and 18. 11, 12. Josh. 2. 9. See chap. 5. vers. 1.
V. 42. hand, arm] See verses 24. and 29. The mighty power of God is set out by these metaphors, as Ps. 136. 12. Jere. 32. 17.
V. 43. this house which I have builded, is called by thy name] Heb. thy name is called upon this house. The temple of the LORD. (as Gen. 48. 16.) and that it is not in vain so called.
V. 44. go out] In a just cause, warranted by Gods word.
thou shalt send] Gods warrant for the war which is intended, is a good ground of faith in Gods assistance, and of praying for it.
toward the citie] Heb. the way of the city. When they cannot come to it: testifying thereby, that all there confidence is placed in the true God, whose presence is in an especiall manner manifested in that temple, a type of Christ.
the city] Jerusalem, Dan. 6. 10. The city is mentioned because the temple was built in it, vers. 1. and chap. 11. v. 36.
V. 45. their cause] Or, right. Their just and righteous cause, by giving good successe, Psal. 9. 4. and 140. 13. see vers. 49.
V. 46. for there is no man that sinneth not] 2 Chron. 6. 36. Eccles. 7. 20. 1 John 1. 8, 10.
V. 47. bethink themselves] Heb. bring back to their heart] Call to minde their sins. Hezekiah repaired it, 2 Chron. 32. 5. It was in Zion which David won from the Jebusites. See on 2 Sam. 5. 7, 9. Solomon (both here and Chap. 11. 27.) is said to build it, in that he so repaired, and beautisied it, as he made it as a new one.
Hazor] In the tribe of Nephthali, Josh. 19. 32, 36. See Josh. 11. 10, &c.
Megi…o] In the tribe of Manasseh, Josh. 17. 11. Judg. 1. 27.
Gezer] In the tribe of Ephraim, belonging to the Levites, Josh. 21. 21. 1 Chron. 6. 67.
V. 16. taken Gezer] For the Canaanites and Philistines held it at that time, Judg. 1. 29. 1 Sam. 27. 8. 1 Chron. 20. 4.
V. 17. the nether] Two Beth-horons, the nether and upper, are bounded, Josh. 16. 3, 5. See 2 Chro. 8. 5. The nether was in the tribe of Benjamin, Josh. 18. 11, 13. The upper in the tribe of Ephraim, Josh. 16. 5. and appertaining to the Levites, Josh. 21. 22.
V. 18. Baalath] In the tribe of Dan, Josh. 19. 44.
Tadmor] In the coast of Syria.
in the wildernesse] In a dry and sandy place.
in the land] Of Israel, though at the utmost coasts thereof. This clause (in the land) may be referred to all the fore-mentioned places.
V. 19. of store] Of ammunition, provision, and all manner of preparation for war, navigation, food, clothing, and other necessaries, as Exod. 1. 11.
that which Solomon desired] Heb. the desire of Solomon which he desired.
in Lebanon] See Chap. 7. 2.
V. 20. left] See Judg. 1. 21, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33. and 2. 23.
V. 21. levy] See vers. 15. and 21. Chap. 5. 13.
V. 22. make no bond-men] Levit. 25. 39.
men of war] Trained up to that noble discipline.
servants of Solomon] Imployed in free and honourable functions, ordained by Solomon, and they and their posterity thereupon stiled Solomons servants, Ezra 2. 55. Nehe. 7. 57. These are opposed to the bondmen.
V. 23. five hundred and fifty] In 2 Chron. 8. 10. but two hundred and fifty, for five hundred did serve by turns: two hundred and fifty at a time. These are mentioned, 2 Chron. 8. 10. Fifty were over those rulers in their course, to take account of the five hundred, the whole reckoned up together, make five hundred and fifty. See the notes on Chap. 5. v. 16.
V. 24. Pharaohs daughter came up out of the city of David] 2 Chron. 8. 11.
city of David] See Chap. 3. 1.
her house] See Chap. 7. v. 8.
Millo] See vers. 15.
V. 25. three times] At the three great feasts: the Passeover, the feast of weeks, and the feast of tabernacles, Deut. 1. 6. In 2 Chron. 8. 16. it appears that he offered sacrifices at sundry other times: but these he observed most solemnly and constantly.
offer] By the ministery of the priests: for note 2 Chron. 26. 16.
the altar which, &c.] The great brasen altar, Chap. 8. v. 62.
upon] Heb. upon it.
before the Lord] Before the ark in the oracle, which was a representation of Gods presence.
V. 26. Ezion-geber, Eloth] Two places in the wildernesse, where the Israelites had there stations, Deut. 2. 8. They were both sea-havens by the red-sea.
shore] Heb. lip.
V. 27. sent in the navy] The navy was Solomons, and the ships thereof made by his appointment. Where it is said (2 Chron. 8. 18.) that Hiram sent Solomon, by the hands of his servants, ships, the meaning is, that Hiram conducted or guided Solomons ships, by the skill and industry of his servants. For the word translated, sent, signifieth also to conduct, guide, or bring on the way, Gen. 18. 16.
V. 28. Ophir] An Island in the Indies, where the most precious gold is to be had. Hereupon the finest gold is stiled gold of Ophir, Job 22. 24. 28. 16. Psal. 45. 9. Isai. 13. 12. It is also stiled gold of Parvaim, 2 Chron. 3. 6. This is supposed to be in Havilah, Gen. 2. 11. It is called perfections of gold, 2 Chron. 4. 21.
four hundred and twenty] In 2 Chron. 8. 18. mention is made of four hundred and fifty. Answ. Four hundred and twenty talents were brought to Solomon: the thirty overplus was for all manner of charges.
talents] See the note on vers. 14.