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thanksgiving to God.

18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, A. M. 2989. B. C. 1015 that we have prepared to build theeund of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

a house for thy holy name cometh of thy hand, and is all thine own.

17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

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19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which ▸ I have made provision.

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Psalm lxxii. 1.-P Verse 2; Chap. xxii. 14.

#1 Samuel xvi. 7; Chap. xxviii. 9.- - Prov. xi. 20.—— Or, || Or, stablish, Psalm x. 17.found.

period, either in perfect light or perfect darkness. And there is none abiding-Hebrew, mp, mickve, expectation. We cannot expect much from earth, nor can we expect any long continuance in it. This is mentioned here as that which forbids us to boast of what we give to God and his cause, or to our poor and destitute fellow-creatures, or of the services we perform to him. We only give what we must shortly leave, and what we cannot keep to ourselves; and our services are confined to a mere cantling of time: they are the services of a short, uncertain life. What, therefore, can we pretend to merit by such gifts or services? and what right have we to boast, or think highly of ourselves, on account of them? Surely God does us a great favour that he will accept such offerings and services

from us.

Verse 16. All this store cometh of thy hand, and is all thine-We have it from thee as a free gift, and therefore are bound to use it for thee; and what we present to thee is but as rent or interest from thine own. In like manner we ought to acknowledge God in all spiritual things; referring every good thought, good desire, and good work to his grace, from which we receive it. Let him that glorieth, therefore, glory in the Lord.

the tree by its fruit, and of their hearts by their actions.

Verse 18. O Lord God of Abraham, &c.—A God in covenant with them, and with us for their sakes, Keep this for ever, &c.-Since it is from thy grace that thy people have such willing minds, continue that grace to them, that they may persist in the same generous disposition toward thee and thy worship. And grant that by our perseverance in this piety and charity, we may make good our part of the covenant, and so may not forfeit the benefit of it. And prepare their heart unto thee-Or rather, as it is in the margin, stablish or confirm their heart. Thou, who hast begun a good work, confirm and carry it on by thy grace, otherwise it will languish, and this very people will prove degenerate.

Verse 19. And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart-He had charged Solomon to serve God with a perfect heart, and now he prays to God to give him such a heart. He does not pray that God would make him rich, or great, or learned, but, what is infinitely more important, that he would make him sincerely and decidedly godly and righteous, devoted to God and his service, and steady and faithful therein. To keep thy commandments-Which David knew would not, could not, be kept by Solomon or Verse 17. I know also, my God, that thou triest any man, unless his heart was renewed by the grace the heart, &c.-That thou observest with what in- of God, and made right with him. And to build the teation and disposition of mind any offering is made palace, &c.-Not only to observe the precepts of thy and work performed; and hast pleasure in upright-law in general, and do thy will in other respects, but 3-Without which the most costly gift, and most || in particular to accomplish thy design in building laborious services, would be as nothing before thee. thee a temple, that he may perform that service with And hence it is that I hope thou wilt be pleased to a single eye. For which I have made provision— accept what I now present to thee, being conscious By purchasing the place, (chap. xxi.,) and providing that I offer it with a heart devoted to thy love and for the expenses of the work. From this prayer of service, and with an intention to glorify thee. It is David, both for Solomon and the people, we may a great satisfaction to a good man to know that God see, that even in those days, when there was so much tries the heart, and has pleasure in uprightness; of ceremony and external pomp in religion, and and that whoever may misinterpret or contemn it, he is when the church of God was in its nonage, as the acquainted with, and approves, the way of the right- apostle states, (Gal. iv. 1-3,) and in bondage under eous. It was a comfort to David that God knew the elements of the world, yet the inward grace of with what pleasure he both offered his own, and God, or the operation of the Spirit on the human saw the people's offering. I have seen with joy thy heart, was judged absolutely necessary to enable a people offer willingly unto thee-By the largeness man to keep the commandments of God. How of their offering I discern the sincerity, willingness, much more then is the grace of God necessary to and generosity of their hearts toward thee: for enable a man to walk according to the more pure David judged, as in reason and charity he ought, of || and spiritual doctrines and precepts of Christianity,

Solomon is

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made king. 20 ¶ And David said to all the con- || made Solomon the son of David king A. M. 2989. gregation, Now bless the LORD your the second time, and anointed him God. And all the congregation blessed the unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down Zadok to be priest. their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

22 And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they

91 Kings i, 35, 39.- Ecclesiastes viii. 2.- 7 Hebrew, gave the hand under Solomon, Gen. xxiv. 2; xlvii. 29; 2 Chron.

23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of King David, 'submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. 25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

xxx. 8; Ezra xvii. 18.-1 Kings iii. 13; 2 Chronicles i. 12; Ecclesiastes ii. 9.

to love and embrace its holy promises, and live up to Zadok, did not actually constitute him high-priest, its more divine and heavenly privileges.

Verse 20. David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord your God—Adore his divine majesty, and give him thanks for all his benefits, hereby testifying your concurrence with me in what I have done and spoken. And all the congregation blessed the Lord, &c.-They did as David desired, bowing down their heads in a gesture of adoration. Whoever is the mouth of the congregation to God, only those have the benefit of his ministrations who join with him, not so much by bowing down the head, as by lifting up the heart. And worshipped the Lord, and the king-The Lord with religious, and the king with civil worship.

Verse 21. They sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord -Before the ark which was there. In abundance for all Israel-Either, 1st, On behalf of all Israel, to praise God in their names, to procure God's presence and blessing for them all. Or, 2d, So many sacrifices, that the feasts which were, according to custom, made of the remainders of them, were abundantly sufficient for all the Israelites that were then present, and desired to partake of them.

Verse 22. And did eat and drink before the Lord -Before the ark, in the courts or places as near to it as they conveniently could: or, as in God's presence, in a solemn and religious manner, praising God for this great mercy, and entreating his blessing on this great affair. They made Solomon king the second time-The first time was, when he was made king during Adonijah's conspiracy, (1 Kings i. 34,) on which occasion it was done in great haste, and in the presence of only a few of David's servants; but now in the presence of all the great men of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of thousands and hundreds. And anointed him to be the chief governor-After the death of David. Perhaps, however, David now resigned the government of the kingdom to him, as he knew he had not long to live. And Zadok to be priest-It must be remembered that the high-priest had his vicegerent who might officiate in his stead. So that this action of theirs, the anointing ||

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but only settled the reversion of it upon him and his line after Abiathar's death; even as David's making Solomon king, and their anointing Solomon to be the chief governor here, did not put him into actual possession of the kingdom, but only gave him a right to it after the present king's death: hence, notwithstanding this anointing, Abiathar continued to exercise his office till Solomon thrust him out, 1 Kings ii. 27.

Verse 23. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord-On the throne of Israel, which is called the throne of the Lord, because the Lord himself was, in a peculiar manner, the king and governor of Israel. He had the founding, he had the filling of their throne, by immediate direction.

Verse 24. And all the sons likewise of David submitted themselves unto Solomon-Hebrew, gare, or put the hand under Solomon, that is, owned him for their king, and themselves for his subjects, and bound themselves by oath to be true to him, which they possibly did, according to the ancient ceremony used in swearing, mentioned Gen. xxiv. 2, and xlvii. 29; or rather, the thing is signified by a phrase, taken from that practice formerly used, though now neglected: it being usual in all nations and languages to express present things by phrases taken from ancient customs. Though, by seniority, the title of David's other sons to the crown was prior to that of Solomon, and they might think themselves wronged by his advancement; yet, because God was pleased to make him king, and had qualified him for that high office, they all submitted themselves to him, God doubtless inclining their hearts to do so, that Solomon's reign might from the first be peaceable.

Verse 25. The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly-Gave him great honour and reputation, together with riches and power, and all such things as render a king great and glorious. Bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king of Israel-Either on David or Saul, or any of the former governors of Israel. None of his predecessors possessed such dignity and authority,

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SECOND BOOK

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ARGUMENT.

THE argument of the former book will, in a great measure, serve for this. Some things recorded in the two books of Kings are omitted in this book; and several things are contained in it, of which no mention is made there; particularly in the history of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah. And many other things there mentioned are here more fully and clearly explained, as will be observed in the acts of Abijah, Asa, Joash, and other kings of Judah. Upon which account, St. Jerome says, this book is such, and of so great use, that he who without it will pretend to understand the prophets, will expose himself to scorn.

This book begins where the former left off, with the reign of Solomon, from the death of David, and continues the history of the kings of Judah to the captivity, and concludes with the fall of that illustrious monarchy, and the destruction of the temple. That monarchy, as it was prior in time, so it was in dignity, to the four which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of. The Babylonian began in Nebuchadnezzar himself, and lasted about seventy years: the Persian monarchy, in several families, about a hundred and thirty: the Grecian, in its several branches, about three hundred : and three hundred more went far with the Roman. Whereas the monarchy of Judah continued considerable in a lineal descent, between four and five hundred years. We had the story of the house of David before, intermixed with that of the kings of Israel; but here we have it entire : much is repeated here which we had before; yet many passages are enlarged on, and divers added, which we had not before, especially relating to religion; the reign of Solomon we have, chap. i.-ix. That of Rehoboam, chap. x.-xii. The short reign of Abijah, chap. xiii. The long reign of Asa, chap. xiv.-xvi. The reign of Jehoshaphat, chap. xvii.-xx. Of Jehoram and Ahaziah, chap. xxi., xxi. Of Joash and Amaziah, chap. xxiii., xxiv. Of Uzziah, chap. xxvi. Of Jotham, chap. xxvii. Of Ahaz, chap. xxviii. Of Hezekiah, chap. xxix.-xxxii. Of Manasseh and Amon, chap. xxxiii. Of Josiah, chap. xxxiv., xxxv. Of his sons, chap. xxxvi.

CHAPTER I.

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Solomon's sacrifices, 1-6. His prayer, and God's answer, 7–12. The strength, wealth, and trade of Israel, 13-17. AND ND a Solomon the son of David 2 Then Solomon spake unto all Is- A. M. 2969. was strengthened in his king-rael, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.

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dom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

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a 1 Kings ii. 46.- b Gen. xxxix. 2.

NOTES ON CHAPTER I.

Verses 1, 2. Solomon was strengthened in his kingdom-Or, established, after his seditious brother Adonijah and his partisans were suppressed; and he was received with the universal consent and joy of his princes and people. Solomon spake unto all Israel-Namely, concerning his intention of going to Gibeon, and that they should attend him

1 Chron. xxix. 25.- d 1 Chron. xxvii. 1. thither, as the next verse shows. Authority and interest are well bestowed on those that will thus use them for the glory of God, and the promotion of religion. But it is the duty of all men to engage all they have any influence upon in the solemnities of religion, and very desirable to have many to join with them therein: the more the better: it makes these solemnities the more like heaven.

Solomon's prayer

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4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

5 Moreover, the brazen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, The put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought

unto it.

9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

10 "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

11 P And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked 6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou altar before the LORD, which was at the taber-mayest judge my people, over whom I have nacle of the congregation, and offered a thou- made thee king: sand burnt-offerings upon it.

7¶ *In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall

8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast there any after thee have the like.

1 Kings iii. 4; 1 Chronicles xvi. 39; xxi. 29. 1 Sam. vi. 2, 17; 1 Chronicles xv. 1.- Exodus xxvii. 1; xxxviii. 1,2-Exod. xxxi. 2. Or, was there. Kings iii. 4. 1 Kings iii. 5.

Verses 3, 4. Solomon, &c., went to the high place Gibeon-Upon which the tabernacle was placed; whence it is called the great high place, 1 Kings iii. 4. But the ark, &c.-David had separated the ark from the tabernacle, and brought it to Jerusalem, because there he intended to build a far more noble and lasting habitation for it.

Verse 5. The brazen altar he put before the tabernacle, &c.-He continued it there, and did not remove it, as he did the ark, from the tabernacle. Solomon and the congregation sought unto it Sought the Lord and his favour by hearty prayers and sacrifices in the place which God had appointed for that work, Lev. xvii. 3, 4.

Verse 6. To the brazen altar before the Lord—It is said to be before the Lord, though the ark was not there, because God was pleased graciously to accept the sacrifices offered before the place, though wanting the token of his glorious presence. And offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it-Namely, by the ministry of the priests. He probably offered as many peace-offerings, on which he and his company feasted before the Lord; unless, as Pellicanus thinks, burnt-offerings here signify peace-offerings, the general name being put for the special. Verse 7. In that night-After those sacrifices were offered; did God appear to Solomon in a dream Of which see the notes on 1 Kings iii. 5. And id, Ask what I shall give thee-God bid him ask what he would; not only that he might put him in

11 Chronicles xxviii. 5. 1 Kings iii. 7.- Heb. much as the dust of the earth."1 Kings iii. 9. Numbers xxvii. 17; Deut. xxxi. 2.- -P1 Kings iii. 11.- -91 Chron. xxix. 25; Chap. ix. 22; Eccles. ii.

the right way to obtain the favours which were intended him, Ask, and ye shall receive; but that he might try him how he stood affected, and give him an opportunity of knowing and manifesting what was in his heart. For men's characters appear in their desires and choices. What wouldst thou have? tries a man as much as, What wouldst thou do?

Verse 8. And hast made me to reign-Give me the spirit of my father David, that Israel may not suffer by the change. The eminence of those that went before us, and the obligation that lies upon us to keep and carry on the good work they were engaged in, should quicken our prayers for wisdom and grace, that we may do the work of God in our day as faithfully as they did in theirs.

Verse 10. Give me now wisdom and knowledgeLike a genuine son of David and Abraham, he chose spiritual blessings rather than temporal. That I may go out and come in before this people-This is a proverbial speech for governing the people both at home and abroad, in peace and war. See Num. xxvii. 17; Deut. xxxi. 2. For who can judge this thy people, that is so great?—Among such a numerous people he knew there would be SO many, various, and, many times, difficult cases brought before him, that it would be impossible for him to hear them and judge aright, without wisdom more than human. See note on 1 Kings iii. 9.

and so

Verse 12. And I will give thee riches and wealth, &c.-Those that make this world their end, come