Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Kings · Chapter 2

Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 · Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Kings · Chapter 2

p. 6CHAP. II.

HEre is set forth first the death of David and his exhortation made to his son Solomon before his death. But before this and after Solomons Coronation, there are divers other memorable passages recorded. 1 Chron. 22. &c. which because they are wanting here, bee there supplyed; as 1. His providing of 1 Chron. 22. 2. 3, 4, 5.1 Chr 22:21 Chr 22:31 Chr 22:41 Chr 22:5workmen and materials for the building of the house of God, v. 2, 3, 4, 5. The chapter beginneth with these words, then David said, this is the house of the Lord and the altar of burnt offrings for Israel, and he commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel, &c. To whom said he thus? doubtlesse to his Princes and Elders of the people assembled together after Solomons inauguration, that they might take notice of his succeeding his Father in the Kingdome and be obedient unto him, although this bee not expressed; for verse 6. hee called for Solomon and spake unto him, and v. 17. to the Princes, and ch. 23. 1, 2. it is expressely said, that he gathered together all the Princes, Priests, and Levites, after that he had made Solomon King; and they spake to him and to them, ch. 28. and 29. and that which is spoken in this chapter, could not be before he was made King, because nothing was known thereof, till the day that it was done. It was then most probably at that time, all the ceremonies about Solomons inauguration being ended, and many comming voluntarily upon this occasion to the Court, that David spake so unto them: after which, there was an assembling of all the Princes generally, 25 ch. 23. He being ascertained, as was before said, that the threshing floore of Araunah was the place chosen of God, signified the same to all about him; and he called it the house of God because his house should be built there. Some think that this was spoken before Solomons Coronation, immediately after the signe given there by fire from heaven, and after he spake; as v. 5, 6. &c. and immediately prepared for the building of the Temple there, gathering together for this purpose workmen in abundance, even all the strangers in the land, fo whom the Masons only are here spoken of, but chap. 28. 21. all manner of skilfull workmen, and 2 Chron. 2. 17. their number is set downe 150000. and 3600. who these strangers were, see 1 Kings 9. 20. 21. the children of the Amorites, Canaanites, and Perizzites, &c. whom the children of Israel could not cast out, a poore and contemptible sort of people, these were imployed in the work of Gods house to figure out the despised The Mystery. Lyra.Gentiles gathered together under the Gospell to make the spirituall Temple, none of the Iewes being set to this work, but made men of warre, Princes, Rulers of his Chariots, and Captaines, &c. And he prepared yron in abundance, and brasse V. 3.without weight, to make the brazen sea and other vessels of brasse, and it is said to be without weight by an hyperbole, to shew the wonderfull great abundance thereof, and abundance of Cedar wood, and v. 5. it is said praeparavit omnes impensas, vulg. lat. yet 2 Chron. 2. 8. Solomon sends to Hiram for Cedar trees. Sol. Hugo saith, that it is meant, that David provided of all sorts of things, and mony to Hugo Cardin.beare the charge of all, but Hebr. it is foreign copiose, as Iunius renders it, he prepared copiously; and v. 14. having spoken of timber that he had prepared, he saith, and Iunius.thou maist adde thereto: hereby it appeareth, that the number of Cedars used about the Temple was exceeding great, seeing when David had provided so many, Solomon yet had need to provide many more. And he would have the Temple built with Cedars, because it was wood incorruptible, to shew the incorruption of the Church.

p. 7Then David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, &c. And he called Solomon V. 5.his son and commanded him to build the house of God and said, that he had a purpose once to have done it, but was not permitted, because hee had shed much blood, &c. of which see 2 Sam. 7. 9. and then it was promised, that he should have a sonne, who should live in peace, and be therefore called Solomon, as is here remembred, v. 9. but there omitted … that he should build him an house. And indeed nothing is there spoken of the …e said reason, why David might not build, but it was left to be recorded here, yet it being fetcht from hence is there expounded. And he doth not only command him to build, but prayeth God to bee with V. 11, 12, 13.him, and chargeth him to feare God and to keep his law and to governe righteously, and then he promiseth prosperity unto him, and biddeth him not to feare: whereby is intimated, that this is the chiefe thing, that every one should apply his Pellican.mind unto, that he might be blessed of God, and not trust without this in any cost done to the honour of God, or most ample sacrifices; see Ps. 50. Mich. 6. 6. Esay 1. 12. Out of my poverty I have prepared 100000 talents of gold, and 1000000 talents V. 14.of silver, and brasse, without weight; &c. For what use all this gold and silver, brasse and iron should serve; he further sheweth, chap. 28. 14. viz. the gold to make vessels and candlesticks of gold, and the silver for vessels of silver; &c. and he gave the just weight for every particular thing, and the patterne and forme of the Temple, and all things about it; wherein he saith, that he had received direction in writing from the Lord, v. 19. Moreover unto this great treasure of gold and silver, he addeth, ch. 29. 3. 3000 talents of gold more, and 7000 talents of silver of his peculiar substance, and verse 2. all manner of precious stones and marble. And this hee calleth his peculiar substance, because the treasures spoken of before H. B. Patriarks travels.were long agoe dedicated out of the spoyles, which hee had taken from divers nations, whom hee subdued, 2 Sam. 8. 11. 12. The gold, if wee reckon it by the talent of the sanctuary, which was 4500l. amounted to four hundred and fifty millions of pounds, the silver to three hundred seventy five millions of pounds, reckoning to a talent 375l. Thus much of the fore-dedicated gold and silver, and of his peculiar 135000l. in fine gold, and 2625000l. in silver. And whereas Lyra.David saith, that out of his poverty he had given all this, Lyra saith it is spoken comparatively in respect of God, to whom it was dedicated, in comparison of whose inestimable rich treasures, all that the richest men have, is but poverty; or in respect of his poore beginning. Pellican, in respect of true spirituall riches of grace Pellican.and glory; with which, if all the wealth in the world be compared, it is but poverty. Iosephus fearing that the report of such excessive treasures would never be credited Ioseph.by the heathen to whom he wrot, hath deducted the tenth part, whereby Note. we may see how little he is to be credited. This wonderfull great treasure which David had now gathered together, sheweth how easily God can enrich those whom V. 15, 16.he pleaseth, to those that seek his Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof, adding all other things in this world. Thou hast also many artificers, cutters of stone, and masons, skilfull in all arts, and in gold and silver, &c. So that Solomon having both materials and workmen, might now after his death without any delay set upon this Pellican.great work, and perfect it. For he would have it, as God had directed him, both for matter and curious working, to excell all other buildings, that by the outward V. 17.beauty thereof, the rude people might be drawne from the temples of Idols, and the high places to worship here.

Then David exhorted the Princes of the people to help his son Solomon in this work, &c. Notwithstanding the great preparations which he had made, the work was so great and sumptuous, that he thought not all this sufficient for it, but required the Princes to aid Solomon with their cost, seeing it was for the honour of God, and the good of the whole nation. How they satisfied this his desire, and what they contributed, see ch. 29. 6. 7. And he omitted not to warne them also to fear God The Mystery. TLyra.and to keep his lawes, as being the thing that would most conduce to their welfare.

Mystically by the temple is to be understood the Church of God, by the gold the governours, by the silver the preachers, who are most excellent, that make p. 8a silver sound; by the brasse other meaner preachers; by the yron; such as protect and fight in the defence of the Church; by the Cedars which are high, such as lead a contemplative life, and by the stones, such as lead an active life, susteining others; thus Lyra out of Greg.

1 Chr. ch. 23. David growing nearer and nearer to his end, after the coronation of V. 1. 2.Solomon, having before spoken somewhat to…hing the intended building of an house for God, now causeth all the Princes, Priests▪ …nd Levites to be assembled together unto him, that he might appoint to every one his office about this house, and the things thereof; and that the Princes being before prepared might bring in their contributions towards this work, that every one knowing what he was to doe, might be ready to performe it: and so without delay after his death, this building might goe forwards. And first they who are named last, were numbred; viz. the Levites, and their offices distinguished; then the Priests, ch. 24. and lastly, the Princes; ch. 27. The Levites are said to be numbred from 30 yeares and upward, yet v 24. and 27. V. 3. Pellican.from 20 yeares old. For the reconciling of which difference, some say that there was a …au… in the writer, 3… being put for 20. some, that to these words from 30 yeares old and upward, is to be understood olim, in times past; but now by a new way Sallianus.of numbring, to which David was directed by divine inspiration, they were numbred from 20, as then from 30, Num. 4. 30. The Vul. lat. followed by Lyra and Hugo hath it in both places, from 20 yeares old and upwards. I doe not think it safe to yeild, that there was any corruption in the text, but rather the meaning is, that being numbred as was of old appointed from 30. their number was 38000 but now after the building of the temple, the labour of carrying the Ark from place to place being no more imposed upon them, to which they were thought unfit, before they attained to the age of 30, David appointed that they should hereafter be numbred from 20. and come in to helpe in this service. Of this number 24000 were appointed to the ministery of the house of the Lord; 6000 to be Rulers and V. 4.Iudges, 4000 doore-keepers, and 4000 singers. The service about the house of God, wherein these 24000 were imployed, was as Lyra hath it, the excoriating and Lyra.washing of beasts for sacrifice, and divers other things; so likewise Dionis. and Caietan. Dyonis. Caietan. Tostatus.But Tostatus better; they were to take the sacrifices to wash and bring them to the Preists, they were also to prepare floure, wine, oyle, salt, and frankincense, and to see that wood and water might never be wanting, when the Gibeonites had first hewed the wood and drawne the water, according to the office appointed unto them, and to be at hand to serve the Preists in their ministery, as they should require them. For the excoriating of beasts belonged properly to the Preists, and not unto the Levites; but when extraordinarily necessity required their help herein, as we may gather from 2 Chron. 29. 34. the Preists were few, so as that they could not excoriate the beasts, but the Levites helped them herein. Touching the 6000 Rulers and judges, these Pellican will have to be as Rectours of Churches throughout Pellican.the kingdome, instructours of the people in the lawes and ordinances of God, and some of them instructours of the junior Levites, and some as Iudges to resolve the right according to the law in divers cases: Lyra saith, that some will have the Lyra.Rulers, or Prepositi, to be such as were set over the holy vessels or treasures, to keep them; and the Iudges teachers of the people: but according to others, they were both one. Viz. Teachers, and more probably the Porters were some of them keepers of the treasures of the temple, locking up and making fast the doores wherein they lay, and opening them as occasion served. Iosephus saith, that these Rulers and Iudges were the same, the first word setting forth the dignity, and the other the Ioseph: antiq. l. 4. c. 8.office; and they were joyned two to every Iudge in lesser causes, in every city of Israel; that by their assistance, they telling what the law of God was, hee might proced in judgement rightly, which is not improbable, but withall it is to be understood, that they were teachers of the people in their Synagogues also. Touching the 4000 Porters, they were not only to watch and ward at the gates and doors of the temple, to keep unclean persons from comming in, and to open and shut them, but also, as was said before, to keep the treasures, holy vessels, end vestiments. And whereas so great numbers might seem too many, it is to be understood, that the Porters and others, that ministred about the temple, served there by course, some retiring home to their own houses, and others comming in their roomes continually, wherefore, v. 6. David is said to have distributed them by their courses.

Touching the 4000 singers, it is said that they should stand morning and evening to sing praises to God at the times of sacrificing, and on the Sabbaths and new Moones, &c. v. 30, 31, 32. and to play upon instruments of musick, ch. 25. 6. and they were divided by their courses, v. 9. which were 24. This singing and musick whilst the sacrifices were offering, was to stirre up mens minds to praise God, and to grace this part of Gods worship, which otherwise might seeme to have been but a butchering and dressing of meats. Over the shew. bread, and the sacrifice of fine floure and unleavened bread; and every weight and measure. The Vulg. lat. before V. 29.these words hath it, But the Preists over the shew-bread, and v. 30. but the Levites to stand and sing. Which words Tostatus saith, were added for further explication; because to offer the shew-bread, belonged to the Prests. Levit. 21. 6. least it should Tostatus.be thought now contrary to the law to be otherwise appointed. But without this addition it may well be understood, that the Levites … to bring it to the Priest to be set before the Lord, and to take them away when new was to be set on; and to look that the fine floure were pure, and the just weight and measure: bringing it also to the Priest, that he might offer it. See chap. 9. 32. Here are 5 sorts of Levites set forth, Ministers, Iudges and Rulers, Porters, Singers, and Priests, which served about the temple: in imitation whereof, Lyra.there are in the Church of Rome. 1. Priests, that offer the bread and wine in the Sacrament. 2. Deacons, who carry it to the people. 3. Sub-deacons, who prepare it, by putting it into the holy vessels. 4. Acolithites, who make it. 5. Exorcists, who east out evill spirits, as Iudges do malefactours. 6. Doore-keepers, who keep out unbeleivers and excommunicated persons out of the Church. 7. Readers. Thus Lyra; but for all these we read only in the nevv Testament, of Priests, and Deacons.

1 CHRON. 24.

The Levites being distinguished, as before, ch. 23. into Ministers, Iudges, Porters and Singers; and touching those that ministred about the sacrifices, vvho vvere 24000, it being shevved only in generall, that they vvere distinguished by their courses, v. 6; Novv follovveth the distinction of the Priests by their courses in particular, and of some principall Levites, vvho vvere next in honour to the Preists in generall, and over all the rest. v. 20. The Preists were distinguished by Eleazar and Ithamar, the tvvo sonnes of Aaron, the eldest of each family being from generation to generation, the cheifest of all the Preists of that family; and at this present Zadok was the cheifest of Eleazars, and Abiathar, or Abimelech (for one and the same man was set forth by both these names) of Ithamars. Now because there vvere many more of the family of Eleazar then of Ithamar, that had 16 courses, and Ithamars 8. And the names of the cheife of every of these courses are set dovvne, it being to be understood, that all the other Priests served in their courses under them, a like number being assigned to each one in his course to assist him in the execution of his Priestly office, respect being still had, that they onelyonly were appointed to serve in the courses of those of the family of Eleazar, that vvere of his familie, and they in the courses of the family of Ithamar, that were of his familie. Touching the meanes used to distinguish these courses vvho should have the first, vvho the second and third, &c. It is said to have been done by lots, the names of all the chiefe of their houses being written in 24 severall pieces of paper and put in one vessell by themselves, and the courses being vvritten in 24 papers and put in another vessell, then they being shaken together, one was appointed to put one hand into one vessell and to dravv a name vvithout seeing, and another into the other vessell, and to draw a course likewise; and looke what number was written upon it, that was his course, whose name was drawne together with it. And the Priests of the first course were to serve but one week at a time beginning at the Sabbath in the evening and continuing about the Temple till the evening of the next Sabbath; at what time they departed to their own houses, and the 1 Chr. …. 25.next course came and served likewise, and then the third and fourth; till that all the p. 1024 having served in their courses, they began again. And during the time of their service, there were chambers about the courts of the Lords house, wherein they lodged.

For the Levites next named, it is to be understood, that they were not of the V. 20.common sort, but Princes as is expressely said of Iesias, Prince Iesias, v. 21. and they were of 2 families, Kohath, and Merari, and had their courses also by lot, ver. 31. Of these it is not said, what the office was, but most probably they were cheife next unto the Preists of whom one was alwayes about the temple, as Prince of that course, which served them according to the order wherein they were placed.

CHAP. 25.

Here followeth the distinction of the Levites, who were to serve in the temple by singing and playing upon instruments of musick, the cheif fathers of whom were 3. Asaph, Iduthun, &c. Heman, who came of the three sons of Levi. Heman of Kohath, Asaph of Gershom, and Iduthun of Merari, as is most probable from 1 Chron. 6. 33, 34. &c. where Heman and Asaph are expressely said to be of Kohath & Gershom, and for …, whereby it seemeth that these were two names of one and the same man. Of these some were so famous for wisdom, that Et… and Heman are spoken of in comparing the wisdom of Solomon. The Sons of these 3 1 Kings 4. 31.1 Kgs 4:31were 24. according to which number the courses of the singing Levites were distinguished, as the Preists were, and these 24 were appointed one to be the cheife in one course, and another in another; so that the first course came in and went out with the first course of the Preists, and likewise the other in their order. The cheife of these did both direct the rest, and by the spirit composed some divine songs to be sung to the praise of God. The cheife are said to be 288. that is, 12 to every course of the 24. for 24 times 12 make 288. Now for the use of singing and musick in the temple, it was to stirre up mens minds to praise God, and when they did sing and play, a sacrifice of praise was offered.

CHAP. 26.

Next unto the singers the Porters are distinguished by the 4 gates of the temple, East, West, North, and South, and one Prince is appointed to be over one gate, and one over another, 4 over all, that kept the 4 gates by course, v. 14. For it is not to be doubted, but that the Porters being 4000. were distinguished into 24 courses as well as the singers and Preists, comming and going upon every Sabbath, as they did which is also expressed; 1 Chron. 9. 24. And therefore here are 24 named in the beginning of the chapter, which may well be understood to be the cheife of these 24 courses. And of Obed Edom, it is noted in speciall, that there were more of his house, then of any other; because the Lord blessed him, v. 5. wherein Expositours generally think, that respect is had to the time, when the Arke abode at his house, 2 Sam. 6. For then it is said God blessed Obed Edom, and all that he had, one way of which blessing was by encreasing his house, and giving him many children. And the 24 hitherto named were of the posterity of Kohath and Merari. Now besides these and their brethren of their courses there were some Levites of Gershom, that were set over the treasures of the temple, and the spoiles of the enemy, which were dedicated by David, Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Ioab, &c. See before, Ch. V. 29.9. 28. Lastly, for works without, they are named who were over the 6000 that were appointed to be rulers and Iudges of the people in matters concerning God and the King, that is, in teaching and instructing the people in their Synagogues, and sitting with the Iudges in particular cities to judge in criminall causes.

CHAP. 27.

After the distinction of the Preists and Levites, here followeth the distinction of the Princes, and first of those, that were over the men of warre, who are distinguished by the 12 months of the year, each one having under him 24000 valiant men; of these one with his 24000 attended upon the King one month, and the other another; so as that each Prince with his men was at liberty to return and attend upon their own domestick affairs eleven months in the year, except extraordinary occasion of warre required the service of them altogether. The end seemeth to be for the safety of the King, and the appeasing of tumults, if any should arise, and that so great p. 11a number being exercised in armes at the least one month in the year (for we must not think that they lived idly about the court in the month of their attendance, but were exercised in military discipline) the King might never be unprovided of a sufficient Army upon short warning to fight against his enemies. And by this meanes it is not unlikely, that Solomon came to enjoy so peaceable a reigne all his dayes, there being no e… that durst stirre against him, who was continually so well provided of men…ition to quell his proudest enemies. And whatsoever King shall take the same course, it is not to be doubted, but with Gods help he should have a very safe kingdome.

Then the Princes are named, who were over the severall tribes, there being of V. 16.each tribe one, but over the Levites and Preists, two and two, over the two halfe tribes of Manasseh, because of their separated dwellings.

But David numbred not them that were under 20 yeares, because the Lord had said, that he would multiply the Israelites, as the starres of heaven. Ioab had begun V. 23.to number, but he finished it not &c.

It was said before that the Levites were numbred from …0 years old and upward. Now in speaking of others that were of the other tribes & of the numbers that were under the 12. Princes of Davids Armies, because nothing hath bin said hitherto from whatage they were numbred, that is here inserted, that according to the law, Num. 1. 3. they also were numbred from 20 years old and upward, but not under; a generall reason being yeilded, why they under 20 were not reckoned from Gen. 15. viz. the promise of God to Abraham that his children should be as the stars in multitude, that is, innumerable; if all without exception of any age should be numbred, the numbers would be so great, as that it would exceed all count. Wherefore to attempt a numbring of them thus, could not but be a great sin, both because it was against the law of God, and a presuming to goe about the disproving of that which God had so confidently affirmed, who most probably to provent it, had limited the age from which at any time they might be numbred. Thus much for Davids not numbring of any under 20. now it is further added, that Ioab had hegun to number by Davids command, and finished it not, because wrath therefore fell upon Israel; it being meant, that although David had been most cautelous, and his Captain Ioab not to number, but according to the law; yet when this was done, God sent a plague of pestilence, ch. 21. whereby it came to passe, that neither then the numbers were perfected, nor now when the number of all the Levites was taken, durst they adventure to number all Israel also for feare of Gods wrath again to break out against them; and therefore the sinne of the children of Israel is not set downe as of Levi here; and this was the cause of commemorating this thing in this place.

Now besides the Princes of the tribes before mentioned, there were others also set over the goods and chattels of the King, as over his treasures in Zion and Ierusalem. V. 25,2. In the villages, fields, cities, and towers. 3. Over his husbandry. 4. His vineyards. 5. His wines. 6. Over his olives and figges. 7. His oyles. 8. His heards. 9. His Oxen. 10. His Cammels; over which was an Ishmaelite, because the Ishmaelites Lyra.had most skill about these. 11. His asses. 12. His sheep, over which was an Agaren, one of that nation, which used to dwell in tents, which might be removed from place to place.

Lastly, his Counsellours are named, whereof two are said to have been with the V. 32.Kings sonnes; that is, according to the Hebrewes, to instruct them, then Achitophel is named, into whose place, when he had hanged himselfe, Benaiah came, and Ioab was generall of all the Armies. Whereby it appeareth, not onelyonly what a well ordered common wealth this was, but well also the Kings peculiar estate was ordered and managed.

CHAP. 28.

The numbring of the Princes, Preists and Levites, being ended, here followeth the oration which David made unto them standing up, that he might be the better heard. And herein he sheweth what his intent was about building an house to the Lord, and how he had prepared; but God had appointed Solomon his son to do this great work and denied it unto him, as sometime Moses was denied to enter into p. 12the land of Canaan, which he much desired; and Ioshuah was set up to lead the people in thither. Some think that his rising up was from his throne; but according to other more probably it was from his bed, and he called the house which he would have built, the house for the Arke, and his footstoole, that is, the mercy seat which was, as it were, the seat of God. Concerning h…t, and the Lords holding him from building, see before, ch. 22. 7, 8. A…e them the more willing to submit themselves to Solomon, as their Ki… commemorateth 1. Gods V. 4, 5, 6.electing of the tribe of Iudah before all othe…. Of his Fathers house before all the families in Iudah. 3. Of him before any other in that house. 4. Of Solomon before all his other sonnes, together with Gods speech touching Solomon, he shall build me an house, and I will be to him a Father, and I will establish his throne for ever, if he continueth stedfast in my precepts; &c. whereupon he exhorteth V. 8, 9.both them and Solomon his sonne so to do, threatning him, if he did otherwise, that God would reject him for ever, which is not to be understood of reprobating him to perish in hell for ever, because 2 Sam. 7. 14. 15. he had promised if he sinned against him, to correct him; but not take his mercy from him for ever: but what should be done for the continuing of the kingdome to his posterity, should not be out of respect unto him, but unto David; with whom he had made a covenant unalterable, and upon him there should remain a blot for ever; shewing Gods estranging of his fatherly affection from him, when for his sinnes 10 tribes should be rent away from his heires, and so his kingdome should be irreparably diminished unto them for ever.

Then David gave unto Solomon the pattern of the Porch and Temple, &c. saying, V. 11.that all came written to him with the hand of the Lord, which according to some Hebrewes, is to be understood, saith Pellican, by the direction of Samuel, by Pellican.others, of Nathan the Prophet; Lyra saith, that it may be he had all revealed unto Lyra.him by God. Caietan, that these things were by God written in his mind, and not in a book; but he described them by writing unto Solomon for his direction. Tostatus Cajetan.contrarily that he had them delivered unto him by God ready written, as Moses Tostatus.had the commandments. That of Caietan seemeth more probable, because v. 12. it is said, which David thought in his heart, so that Gods writing of this form was in his mind by internall revelation. And David spake thus to Solomon, that he might not adventure to varie from this pattern, and to commend the fabrick as being of Gods devising, and not of mans; and he might not feare to goe about this great work, to the devising of the doing whereof rightly, all the wit of man would not suffice, because the platforme was set by God himselfe in every thing.

CHAP. 29.

And David spake to all the congregation, &c.] Happily the congregation being V. 1.a while dissolved, and then meeting againe, because the Kings strength would not suffice to say any more at that time, he spake again in commending the building of the temple unto them, setting forth the greatnesse of the work, as whereunto all that he had hitherto spoken of would not suffice. Wherefore he both addeth 3000 talents of most pure gold, and 7000 talents of silver to cover and guild over the wals of the most holy place, and exhorteth the Princes to a liberall contribution. The reason, why he would have them also to contribute, when as he alone had provided all things sufficiently, was according to some, that their treasures being exhaust, they might be the lesse able to rebell against Solomon, if any of them were so minded, but this had been to make againe of godlinesse; a better reason therefore hath been already yeilded, ch. 22. 17. and it is to be noted, that in exhorting them to a liberal contribution, he useth the phrase of filling their hands and offering, which used to be spoken of sacrificing, to shew that it was a sacrifice most acceptable unto God to give of their goods to this work.

Then the Princes and Nobles, &c. offered willingly 5000. talents of gold, and V. 6.10000. drachmaes, whereof 12000. saith Iunius, make a talent, and of silver 10000. talents, &c. that is, they set down each man so much to be given, as together amounted to these sums to be afterwards gathered by collectours appointed by the King. All which if it be compared with Davids guifts Ch. 22. 14. is nothing, for he gave 100000. talents of gold, and 1000000. of silver.

p. 13Then David seeing their cheerfulnesse in offering, blessed God therefore, and V. 10.acknowledged all, which he and they had offered, to come from God, beseeching him to continue this minde in them, as knowing the mutability of men, and lastly, he prayeth for Solomon his sonne, that God would give him a perfect heart, that he might do all things commanded, and having exhorted them to blesse God, likewise they did it by bowing themselves, and then bowing to the King they gave him thanks for all the benefits, which they had enjoyed under his government; although Iunius will have their worshipping of the King to be understood of Solomon.

Then the day following in token of their thankfulnesse to God, they sacrificed V. 21.1000. bullocks, 1000. rams, and 1000. lambs, and they feasted together and made and anointed Solomon King the second time. The sacrifices, saith Ioseph. were holocausts, Josephus.& after these ended were many thousands more slain for peace-offerings, wherewith the people feasted, but because no more are here spoken of, it is rather to be thought, that some of these only were holocausts & the rest peace-offerings, for we never read of so many beasts, or near so many, wholly burnt at one time, in any age. When Soloman sacrifieed afterwards in Gibeon, a most ample sacrifice, he offered but 1000 burnt offerings, and Hezekiah but 70. Bullockes, 100. Rams and 200. Lambs. And now they anointed not only Solomon King, but also Zadok 1 King. 3. 2 Chron. 29.1 Kgs 32 Chr 29for Priest, that is, high Priest in the room of Abiathar, who had conspired with Adonijah: and thus the word of the Lord against Ely's family began to be fullfilled; how the Priest was anointed, see Levit. 8.

And all the Princes and sonnes of the King gave their hand to Solomon, &c.] that is, V. 24. Lyra. Comest. Tostatus.sware fidelity unto him, and this was the cause why he was anointed for King the second time, that it being done by the consent of all the Princes, he might the more peaceably reign over them, and peace being thus setled, he might the better go on in building the temple: for when he was anointed before, they were divided. For those that anointed him, because Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet did it before, it is not to be doubted, but that they anointed him now again. And here Iosephus bringeth in David speaking again to his sonnes, and exhorting them Josephus.to be obedient to Solomon, and not to envie him, although a younger brother, because God had chosen him to be King, as he did before himself, before his brethren, who were elder, yet none of them envied him this honour.

Here the Authour of the Chronicles hasteneth to set forth the death of David, V. 26.and how long he had reigned over Israel and Iudah, but because 1 King. 2. from which we have hitherto digressed, doth more fully declare his death, and speeches used before it to his sonne Solomon, let us now look back to the said 1 King. 2. 1.

When the dayes of David drew near, that he should die, he commanded his sonne Solomon, 1 King. 2. 1.1 Kgs 2:1saying, &c.] The charge, which he gave him, was to keep Gods laws, that his throne might be established, to which effect he was brought in speaking before, 1 Chron. 28. 9. and 1 Chron. 22. 12, 13. OnelyOnly here is a charge added, first touching Ioab, v. 5.

Thou knowest, saith he, what he did unto me, and to the two Captains of Israel, V. 5. Pellican.Abner and Amasa, &c.] The Hebrews, saith Pellican, think by that, which he did unto him, was meant the shewing of his letters to others, which he wrote for the bringing of Vriah to his death, which was greatly to his disgrace, so that he was not faithfull to him, and how treacherously he slew Abner and Amasa, when he pretended friendship, was notoriously known. Wherefore David spake of him, as a man, that ought not to be suffered to live, because, if he were suffered, he might unawares slay Solomon also, and thus interrupt his peaceable reign. The conceit of the Rabbins is uncertain; but that he disobeyed Davids expresse charge about Absalom, and imperiously threatned him to cause him to come forth and to cease mourning when he had slain Absalom, is certain; for which his disloyaltie to his soveraign, he was worthy to die. Theodoret also addeth, for his taking part with Theod.Adonijah, whom David could not be without all fear, that he would seek to set up again, and so to make a division in the Kingdom. And the rather, because he being privie to Davids dealing with Vriah, that he might obtain Bathshebah, of p. 14whom Solomon came, never loved Solomon, as thinking him unworthy to reign for his scandalous birth. Whereas David did not himself execute justice against Ioab before, it seemeth to have been, because Ioab being Captain of the Hoast had been hitherto too powerfull; but now he being aged, and Iehoiadah being of great power, by reason that he was over the Cherethites and Pelethites, and Ioabs power being weakned by the Armies falling from him, as it seemeth, because he fled to the horns of the Altar and not to his souldiers, David wisely thought it a fit time to execute justice upon him, which had been hitherto deferred.

But to the sonnes of Barzillai shew kindnesse, &c.] Because it is the part of a good King to be no lesse carefull to shew thankfulnesse to such, as deserve well of him, V. 7.then to punish evill doers, David provideth thus for the requitall of Barzillai: 1 Sam. 17.1 Sam 17what he did for Machir and Zob, who also shewed him the like kindnesse, is not said; what is to be thought hereof, see 2 Sam. 19. 40.

Thou hast also with thee Shimei, &c.] How David could without prejudice to V. 8.his oath appoint Solomon his son to provide, that he might not come in peace to his grave, see 2 Sam. 19. 23. And Davids oath bound him no longer then he lived, Pellican.his successour in the kingdome was free, notwithstanding this oath to do justice upon him according to his discretion. Moreover David doubtlesse still perceived, that he was ill-affected to his house, and adhered to the house of Saul, and so might afterwards become troublesome to the State, wherefore he justly committed him to be dealt withall by Solomon according to his wisedome.

Then David slept with his fathers, &c. and the time that he reigned ouer Israel V. 10. 1 Chron. 29. 28.1 Chr 29:28was 40. years, &c.] Of these times of his reign and his age, when he began to reign and when he died, see before upon 2 Sam. 5. 5. and 2 King. 1. 1. For the place of his buriall it is said to be in his own city, that is, not Bethlehem, as some Isidor.have thought, but Zion, where the Kings his successours might afterwards be buried also. Iosephus saith, that his sonne Solomon buried him magnificently in Ierusalem, Josephus l. 7.and that into his Sepulchre were put very great riches: for out of it 1300. years after Hyrcanus took 3000. talents to give to Antiochus to remove his siege, and after that Herod took out much money out of another Cell. And Benjamin a Iew in his Itinerary telleth of two workmen, who digging up the stones of an old wall espied a den, and entering into it, saw a Pallace with pillars of marble and a table of silver before it with a scepter and crown of gold upon it, but when they attempted to go into that pallace, they were smitten with a whirlwinde down dead, and having lien so till night they were revived again and then heard a voice saying, arise and go out of this place. Wherefore that hole was by the command of the Patriark stopt up again, none daring to enter into it any more. And here an end of David, who many wayes was a figure of Christ; first in his tribe Iudah and city Bethlehem. 2 In his favour, for Christ also was comely, vox suauis & faties decora. Bern. serm.3 He chased away the evill spirit from Saul, killed a Lion and a Bear, so Christ cast out devils and destroyed their power. 4 He lived obscurely 30. years as Christ did. 5 He slew Goliah not by force of armes but with a sling. 6 His brethren envied him and Saul sought to slay him. 7 He having given a dowry of 200 fore-skins for Merob had her not, but Michol: so Christ had not a Spouse of the Iewish Church but of the Gentiles. 8 David was thrice anointed King, so Christ had a threefold right to reign; first, as God; second, as Davids successour in his line; third, because as God and man all power was given unto him. 9 He ordered the Priests and Levites, so Christ the Apostles. 10 He prepared matter for the Temple, &c.

Then Solomon sate upon the Throne of David his father, and his kingdome was V. 12. Pellican.greatly confirmed] That is, after the slaughter of three Rebels hereafter spoken of, viz. Ioab, Adonijah, and Shimei, for although they durst yet attempt nothing, yet afterwards some stirs might have been made by them, but now were prevented.

And Adonijah the sonne of Haggith came to Bathshebah the mother of Solomon, V. 13.&c.] Here is shewed upon what occasion Adonijah the competitour of the kingdome was cut off, and immediately after Ioab, and Abiathar put down from the High-Priesthood. Adonijah as Expositours generally think, by their counsell sought to have Abishag to wife, who was wife to his father David, which was p. 15both contrary to the law of God, and as Pellican hath it, it was not lawfull for any Pellican.in that Common-wealth to marry her, that had been the wife of a King, unlesse he himself were a King. Wherefore Adonijah in seeking this, sought to come as near to the kingdom, as he could, and having the chief captain Ioab and the chief Priest Abiathar on his side, he was not without hope by this means to attain unto it, at the least his ambitious mind might be fed with such a conceit. This Solomon through his wisedome saw into, but his mother not; but when by his speech she perceived it, most probably she was content to have her request denied. Some call in question Solomons justice for putting Adonijah to death upon this occasion, and that without being first tried, as Theodoret and Procopius; and Caietan saith, that he knoweth Theodor. Procopius. Cajetan. Lyra. Pellican.not how it may be excused, and that it seemeth to have been done unjustly, seeing no treason against the King did evidently appear herein. But Lyra and Pellican and others, justifie Solomon in this fact, because he knew by his wisedom, that he went about thus to make a way to the kingdom, and in such evident cases it had been the manner of David before, without further proceedings to give sentence immediately against offenders; as against him, that brought him Sauls crown, and against Rechab and Baanah. And Adonijah his former ambitious causing of himself to be made King made it plain, that he had still the same minde within him, for which it was just with Solomon now to cut him off, although he had spared him hitherto, seeing it was but upon condition, if he did shew himselfe worthy. Ch. 1. 52.

And to Abiathar the Priest, the King said, go to Anathoth thy field, for thou art V. 26.worthy to die, &c.] Anathoth was a city of the sonnes of Aaron, Iosh. 21. 18. here the family of Abiathar dwelt, and to this place he was now confined, and not permitted any more to remain or to come to the city of David; that being removed from the Court, there might not be any danger afterwards of his conspiring against the King any more. In that he was thus censured at this time, it appeareth, that he was guilty of a second conspiracy with Adonijah, as also Ioab, whose judgement followeth next. God suffered them both to fall again, that Solomon might have just occasion of proceeding against them; both that the word of God against Ely's family might be fulfilled; as is noted in the next words, v. 27. and so great wickednesses as Ioab had formerly committed might not go unpunished. Here some make a question, how the King, could censure the high-Priest, seeing he was not subject unto him? Tostatus answereth, that under the old Testament he was subject, Tostatus.because the spirituall and temporall powers were not then distinguished. But Sallianus according to Theodoret, that the ordinance of God did intervene, of Sallianus. Theodoret.which Solomon was onelyonly the executer; and it is probable saith Sallianus, that it was done with the consent of Zadok, for in the case of life and death, the Priest onelyonly hath power to judge of the Priest, and to punish him; because Pashur the chief Priest committed Ieremiah to prison, thus he. But let every soul be subject Jer. 20.Jer 20to the higher powers, and let these powers be described by bearing the sword, as Rom. 13. and then this question falleth utterly to the ground; not onelyonly temporall but spirituall persons, have been and now are subject to the King: and if the chief Priest had power over Ieremiah to commit him, it was but a power derived from the King, as they that have commissions from him in our land have power.

When Ioab heard this, he fled to the Tabernacle of the Lord, and took hold of the V. 28.hornes of the Altar, &c.] Because he knew himself to be guilty of the same conspiracy with Adonijah and Abiathar, he hearing how the King had dealt with them, feared his own life and therefore took Sanctuary as Adonijah had done before, ch. 1. 50. where I have shewed, who were to be protected there and who not. About the former words of this verse, there is a difference from the Hebrew in the vulgar Latin. For whereas it is Hebr. The report came to Ioab, for he had gone after Adonijah, although he went not after Absalom. The vulgar Latin hath it, A messenger came to Solomon, that Ioab went after Adonijah, but not after Solomon; thus in the translation followed by Lyra: but in others it is corrected, in the last place there being Absalom, for Solomon. But it was not Solomon, that heard now of Ioabs conspiring with Adonijah, for he knew that long before, but Ioab heard p. 16what Solomon had done to the man, that he sought to advance, plotting now the second time for him, and finding by his proceedings against Abiathar, that it was not hidden from Solomon, he despaired of all favour, because he thought, that the King would easily gather, that his heart was quite estranged from him, seeing that in Davids time, when Absalom sought to be King he would not take part with him but slew him; but now Adonijah seeking the kingdom and to put down Solomon, not once but twice, he conspired both these times with him.

And when it was told King Solomon, that Ioab was fled to the Tabernacle, &c. V. 29.Solomon sent Benaiah, saying, fall upon him, &c.] Here by anticipation is set forth, what Solomon lastly commanded Benaiah to do. For first, as is shewed in the next words, he went to Ioab and said, thus saith the King, come forth; and when he refused, the King being certified bad slay him there. Lyra saith, that Rab. Solomon Lyra.yeildeth this reason, why Benaiah slew him not at the first: viz. Because Ioab said unto him, that when he had slain Abner, David cursed him to suffer by the Leprosie, the Gout in his feet, and the want of bread; wherefore if now he were punished by death, it would be unjust, unlesse Solomon would take these curses upon himself and his posterity. Then Benaiah returning this answer to the King, he took these curses upon him, and sent again and slew Ioab there; that is, as is most probable, being taken away by violence from the Altar, as is commanded, Exod. 21. 14. and accordingly, he saith, it fell out: for Vzziah had the Leprosie, Asa the Gout in his feet, and Hezekiah being besieged, wanted bread. But this is so vain, that it is not worth the naming; for those Kings were thus punished for other faults; and Ioab deserved to die also for slaying Amasa: and it cannot be imagined that Solomon would take curses upon himself. Lastly, David had given Solomon a charge to slay Ioab: therefore it is not to be doubted, but justly, seeing that charge came from so holy a King. Of all Expositours, Pellican Pellican.onelyonly justifies Ioab to have been a most faithfull servant to David, and seemeth to taxe it, as a point of ingratitude in David towards him to appoint him to be slain; by his example warning all Courtiers of their uncertain condition. But Ioab certainly now received according to his deserts for his bloud-shed and faction, which must not go unpunished. Whereas it is said, v. 34. that he was buried in his own house in the desart, the Hebrews say that this house was an Hospitall, which he built in the way for the harbouring of poor passengers; and because he did such a deed of charity, they gather that although he was punished in this world, yet his soul was saved. But as P. Martyr saith, of this we cannot judge, because the P. Martyr.Scripture saith nothing of it, and therefore it is to be left unto God. For his house in the desart he noteth out of Kimhi, that it is not onelyonly called a desart, which is uninhabited, but also which is not tilled but used for forrests and pastures, and in such a place most probably Ioab had an house, where he kept cattle.

Abiathar being put down from the high-Priesthood, and Ioab slain, Zadok is V. 35.put into the place of the one, and Benaiah of the other. Of his commendation that was now made high Priest see before, 1 Sam. 2. 35. where he who should be advanced thus in Ely's steed is described, but not named.

Then the King sent and called Shimei, and said unto him, build thee an house in Ierusalem, V. 36.and dwell there, and go not out, for the day that thou goest out & passest the brook Kedron, thou shalt surely dye.] Shimei was the third man, touching whom David gave a charge unto Solomon for his cursing and railing upon him, when he fled from Absalom, not to suffer him to come to the grave in peace. But because he could not justly slay him for that, seeing David had promised him that he should not die, the wise King beginneth with him, as reason required, by consining him to Ierusalem, and restraining him from going to his own city Bahurim, to come unto which a man must go over the Brook Kedron; because if he were permitted to dwell amongst those of his own tribe of Benjamin, there might be some danger of his exciting to rebellion, forsomuch as he had formerly declared himself to be ill-affected to the house of David, which danger would be avoided by keeping him to Ierusalem. The proposition of the King Shimei liked well, as one that feared p. 17that he should have been dealt worse withall, and therefore, as it appeareth afterwards, this decree was confirmed by oath, Shimei approving it. And so he came and dwelt in Ierusalem three yeares without going forth. But after this, his servants running away from him, and he hearing that they were in Gath, persued them thithes, and returning suffered death therefore. But forsomuch as the brook Kedron lay eastward from the city and Gath west, how could Shimei be condemned to dye, seeing he went not over contrary to the Kings charge? Answ. The meaning was not precisely, that he should not passe over that brook onelyonly, but no way else go out of the city: and he was expressely commanded, dwell in Ierusalem and go not out either hither or thither, and Kedron onelyonly was mentioned as the way, that he would most probably go, because his lands and possessions lay in Bahurim, and this was the way thither. Thus by a singular providence it was brought about, that Shimei did bear the punishment of his wickednesse at the last, although he escaped long, and so shall all the wicked.