1 Kings 1

1Ki 1:1 Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

Now King David was old - He was probably now about sixty-nine years of age. He was thirty years old when he began to reign, reigned forty, and died in the seventieth year of his age, 2Sa_5:4, and 1Ki_2:11; and the transactions mentioned here are supposed to have taken place about a year before his death.

Stricken in years - He was thirty years old when he was made king in Hebron 2Sa_5:4; he reigned in Hebron seven years and six months 2Sa_2:11; 1Ch_3:4; and he reigned thirty-three years at Jerusalem 2Sa_5:5. The expression had here been used only of persons above eighty Gen_18:11; Gen_24:1; Jos_13:1; Jos_23:1 : but the Jews at this time were not long-lived. No Jewish monarch after David, excepting Solomon and Manasseh, exceeded sixty years.

Clothes - Probably “bed-clothes.” The king was evidently bed-ridden 1Ki_1:47.

But he gat no heat - having no natural heat in him. Sixty-nine was not an advanced age; but David had been exhausted with various fatigues, and especially by family afflictions, so that he was much older in constitution than he was in years. Besides he seems to have labored under some wasting maladies, to which there is frequent reference in the Psalms.

When king David had become so old that they could no longer warm him by covering him with clothes, his servants advised him to increase his vitality by lying with a young and robust virgin, and selected the beautiful Abishag of Shunem to perform this service. This circumstance, which is a trivial one in itself, is only mentioned on account of what follows - first, because it shows that David had become too weak from age, and too destitute of energy, to be able to carry on the government any longer; and, secondly, because Adonijah the pretender afterwards forfeited his life through asking for Abishag in marriage.

1Ki 1:2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

Let there be sought a young virgin - This was the remedy which in his state could be prescribed. His nearly exhausted frame would infallibly absorb from her young and healthy body an additional portion of heat.

let her lie in his bosom - which shows that it was proposed that he should marry her or at least that she should become his concubine wife, since this phrase is descriptive of a wife, Mic_7:5; nor can it be thought his physicians would advise, or he agree to have a young woman admitted to his bed, without marriage; and if this had not been the case, it would not have answered the design of Adonijah in requesting her in marriage after his father's death, which was to make way to ascend the throne when opportunity should offer; nor would his request have been so much resented by Solomon as it was, 1Ki_2:17; Adonijah's crime in desiring her to wife, so heinous in Solomon's account, because he saw, that by marrying the king's wife he designed to revive his pretence to the kingdom.

1Ki 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

they sought for a fair damsel - Not only a damsel, but a beautiful one, that she might be the more acceptable to the king; who otherwise, if deformed and ugly, would not have endured her in his sight, or received at her hands, and much less suffered her to lie in his bosom:

Abishag a Shunammite - a native of the city Shunem, a city in the tribe of Issachar, Jos_19:18;

1Ki 1:4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

cherished the king - enlivened his spirits by her amiable countenance, her graceful behavior, and tender care of him, and especially by bedding with him:

the king knew her not - as a man knows his wife; this is observed, not to point at the chastity of David, but his feebleness, and loss of desire after women, and that the damsel remained a virgin; and that was the ground of Adonijah's request, and his hope of succeeding.

1Ki 1:5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

To run before him - That is, he assumed the same quasi-royal state as Absalom had done, when he contemplated rebellion 2Sa_15:1.

The narrative heightens considerably the picture drawn of the poor king’s weak and helpless condition, of which Adonijah was not ashamed to take advantage for his own aggrandizement. Adonijah was born while David reigned at Hebron, and was therefore now between thirty-three and forty years of age. He was David’s fourth son, but had probably become the eldest by the death of his three older brothers. He claimed the crown by right of primogeniture 1Ki_2:15, and secretly to his partisans announced his intention of assuming the sovereignty. It was well known to him that David intended to make Solomon his successor 1Ki_1:13.

Adonijah, though David’s fourth son (2Sa_3:4; 1Ch_3:2), was now the oldest alive; and his personal attractions and manners (1Sa_9:2) not only recommended him to the leading men about court, but made him the favorite of his father, who, though seeing him assume an equipage becoming only the heir-presumptive to the throne (2Sa_15:1), said nothing; and his silence was considered by many, as well as by Adonijah, to be equivalent to an expression of consent. The sinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive step in furtherance of his ambitious designs.

1Ki 1:6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

Had not displeased him - His father had never checked or thwarted him all his life. Always humored him in everything, let him have his own way and will, and granted him what he desired, and never corrected him for his faults, or made him ashamed by chastising him; this was not to the credit of David, being guilty of the same sin with Eli; and on this Adonijah presumed much, that he would not contradict and countermand in this as he had not in other things before:

A very goodly man - of a comely countenance, tall and well proportioned, as his brother Absalom. Here, too, Adonijah resembled Absalom 2Sa_14:25. The Jews, like the other nations of antiquity, regarded the physical qualities of rulers as of great importance, and wished their kings to be remarkable for strength, stature, and beauty 1Sa_9:2. Adonijah’s personal advantages no doubt helped to draw the people to him.

why hast thou done so - never so much as asked a reason of his conduct, so far was he from reproving him for it:

his mother bare him after Absalom - not that the same woman bore him as did Absalom; for Absalom's mother was Maachah, this man's Haggith; but she bore him after Absalom's mother had bore him, so that he was next son; and now Amnon, Chileab, or Daniel, and Absalom, being all dead, he was the eldest son living, and upon this he founded his claim to the throne, and his hope of succeeding.

1Ki 1:7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

Joab - Joab’s defection on this occasion, after his faithful adherence to David during the troubles caused by Absalom 2 Sam. 18:2-17, may be accounted for by his fear that Solomon would be a “man of rest” 1Ch_22:9 and by his preference for the character of Adonijah. He may also have thought that Adonijah, as the eldest son 1Ki_1:5, had almost a right to succeed.

Abiathar - Abiathar’s defection is still more surprising than Joab’s. Hereto, David and he had been the firmest of friends. It has been conjectured that he had grown jealous of Zadok, and feared being supplanted by him.

he conferred with Joab and Abiathar - About getting the kingdom into his hands: and they were very proper persons to consult with, who, if gained to his interest, might be of great service, the one being the general of the army, and the other was the high priest, who might be thought to have a great share in the affections of the people, and whose office it was to anoint the king;

they took on his side - Either because they thought the right of the crown was his: or to secure and advance their own interest. Joab knowing David's hatred of him on account of his murder of Abner and Amasa, and especially for his slaying his son Absalom, and his insolent behavior towards him; and Abiathar, who saw plainly that the priesthood in Eli's family was declining, and that Zadok was the favorite priest with David, and in all probability would be with Solomon; all which might influence these two persons to join Adonijah. It seems God left them to themselves, to correct them for former miscarriages, with a rod of their own making.

1Ki 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

Zadok - There is some difficulty in understanding how Zadok and Abiathar came to be both “priests” at this time, and in what relation they stood to one another. The best explanation seems to be that Abiathar was the real high priest, and officiated at the sanctuary containing the ark of the covenant in Zion, while Zadok performed the offices of chief priest at the tabernacle of Witness at Gibeon 1Ch_16:39.

Nathan - As privy to all David’s plans 1Ki_1:24, he had no doubt fully approved the order of succession which the king was known to intend.

Shimei and Rei - Shimei and Rei are perhaps David’s two brothers, Shimma and Raddai 1Ch_2:13-14. Shimei according to one scholar, was Shimei the son of Gera, who had cursed David, and was afraid of entering into the conspiracy, lest he should be involved in trouble again: though some think this may be that Shimei, one of Solomon's twelve officers, as after constituted, 1Ki_4:18.

Mighty men - his guards, the Cherethites and Pelethites. Probably the company of 600, originally formed during David’s early wanderings 1Sa_25:13; 1Sa_27:2, and afterward maintained as the most essential element of his standing army.

Benaiah — Distinguished for his bravery (1Sa_23:20), he had been appointed captain of the king’s bodyguard (2Sa_8:18; 2Sa_20:23; 1Ch_18:17), and was regarded by Joab as a rival.

1Ki 1:9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

Slew sheep and oven - Making a royal feast, in reference to his inauguration. As he had Abiathar the priest with him, no doubt these animals were offered sacrificially, and then the guests fed on the flesh of the victims. He had not only a splendid feast, but a great sacrifice; and he gave by this a popular color to his pretensions, by affecting to receive his authority from God.

Slew sheep and oven - Adonijah commenced his usurpation, like Absalom (2Sa_15:2), with a solemn sacrificial meal, at which he was proclaimed king. To this meal Adonijah invited all his brethren except Solomon, and “all the men of Judah, the king's servants,” i.e., all the Judaeans who were in the king's service, i.e., were serving at court as being members of his own tribe, with the exception of Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, and the Gibborim. The fact that Solomon and the others mentioned were not included in the invitation, showed very clearly that Adonijah was informed of Solomon's election as successor to the throne, and was also aware of the feelings of Nathan and Benaiah.

called all his brethren the king's sons - which David by his wives and concubines had in Hebron and Jerusalem; who were all younger than he, and so had not the pretension he had, and who might be displeased at the appointment of Solomon as well as he;

Enrogel — situated (Jos_15:7-10) east of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well.

1Ki 1:10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

1Ki 1:11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

The son of Haggith - This expression was well chosen to touch the pride of Bathsheba. “Adonijah; not thy son, but the son of thy rival, Haggith.”

Wherefore Nathan spake - He was now considered as being legally appointed to the regal office, and no doubt was about to begin to perform its functions.

1Ki 1:12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

Save thine own life, and the life of thy son - Nathan took for granted that Adonijah would put both Bathsheba and Solomon to death as state criminals, if he got established on the throne. It would have been in accordance with custom for Solomon to suffer death, if Adonijah had succeeded in his attempt. But to have executed his mother also would have been an unusual severity. This would likely be the usurper's first care to take away, that he might have no rival, and none to disturb him in his government; which step has been often taken by usurpers to secure themselves,

1Ki 1:13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

1Ki 1:14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

Confirm thy words - “Establish” them, by giving a second testimony. Deu 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be made sure.

1Ki 1:15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

1Ki 1:16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

Bathsheba bowed - like the woman of Tekoah 2Sa_14:4, with the humble prostration of a suppliant. Not only as being her husband, but her sovereign; and this behavior might intimate, that she had something to say to him, and more than to inquire of his health:

1Ki 1:17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid - Which was a very solemn oath, and binding, and which she puts David in mind of, knowing that so conscientious a man as he was would religiously observe it: It is not recorded when or upon what occasion David sware to Bathsheba that Solomon should succeed him; but it is supposed, with some degree of probability, that it took place after Absalom's rebellion; and as God himself had settled the succession, he might very properly give her this assurance.

1Ki 1:18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

now my lord, O king, thou knowest it not - lest it should be thought by David that she suggested by this that he was guilty of the breach of his oath, or on any account to be blamed, she adds this: which as it acquitted him from all blame, so it made the sin of Adonijah the more heinous, that he should do this without consulting his father about it; and was not only neglect of him as a father, and an act of disrespect and disobedience to him as such, but even of high treason, to assume the throne in his father's lifetime, without his consent.

1Ki 1:19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

he hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance - Has made a grand entertainment, and is feasting and rejoicing.

1Ki 1:20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

1Ki 1:21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

Shall sleep - This euphemism for death, rare in the early Scriptures - being found only once in the Pentateuch (margin reference.), and once also in the historical books before Kings 2Sa_7:12 - becomes in Kings and Chronicles the ordinary mode of speech (see 1Ki_2:10; 1Ki_11:43, etc.; 2Ch_9:31; 2Ch_12:16, etc.). David uses the metaphor in one psalm Psa_13:3. In the later Scriptures it is, of course, common. (Jer_51:39; Dan_12:2; Mat_9:24; Joh_11:11; 1Co_11:30; 1Co_15:51; 1Th_4:14, etc.)

shall be counted offenders - or "sinners"; not as if she would be reckoned an adulteress, and her son as illegitimate; but as being traitors, making pretensions to the throne, she on the behalf of her son, and he for himself, as if he had no right to it.

1Ki 1:22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

1Ki 1:23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

And they told the king - Some that attended at the door, or were in the chamber:

1Ki 1:24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

Nathan said, my lord, O king - He addresses him as with great veneration and respect due to his office.

1Ki 1:25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

For he is gone down this day - From Jerusalem, which lay high, to the stone of Zoheleth, in Enrogel, which lay in the valley, 1Ki_1:9;

the captains of the host - or army; not only Joab, it seems, the general of it, but the captains of thousands and hundreds under him, being desirous of engaging the militia in his favor.

they eat and drink before him - they were now at it, at this time, they were not only invited, but they accepted the invitation, and came;

God save King Adonijah - they proclaimed and saluted him as king, and drank his health, and wished him all prosperity

1Ki 1:26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

1Ki 1:27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

Is this thing done by my lord the king - With his knowledge and consent, and by his orders:

thou hast not showed it unto thy servant - meaning himself, who had brought him a message from the Lord, signifying that Solomon should succeed him; and therefore if that had been countermanded, it seemed strange that he should not have acquainted him with it:

1Ki 1:28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

Call me Bathsheba - She had gone out when Nathan came in, and he retired when she was re-admitted. Each had a separate audience, but to Nathan the king did not express any will.

1Ki 1:29 And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

As the Lord liveth – this was the most common form of oath among the Israelites (Jdg_8:19; 1Sa_14:39; 1Sa_19:6). It was unique to David to attach a further clause to this oath - a clause of thankfulness for some special mercy 1Sa_25:34, or for God’s constant protection of him (here and in 2Sa_4:9).

that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress - saved his life when in the most imminent danger; delivered him out of the hand of Goliath, and from the Philistines and other enemies, in his wars with them; and from Saul and his persecuting rage and fury, and from the rebellion of his son Absalom, and the insurrection of Sheba.

1Ki 1:30 Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

Even as I sware unto thee - And so owns and confirms the truth of what Nathan had suggested to Bathsheba, and she had asserted, 1Ki_1:13;

1Ki 1:31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

Bowed with her face to the earth - A lower and humbler obeisance than before 1Ki_1:16. Thereby expressing her veneration of him, and thankfulness to him for his favor to her and her son, in fulfilling his promise and oath:

1Ki 1:32 And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

And King David said - The combination of the high priest, the prophet, and the captain of the bodyguard (the Cherethites and Pelethites, 1Ki_1:38), would show the people that the proceedings had the king’s sanction. The order of the names marks the position of the persons with respect to the matter in hand.

1Ki 1:33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

to ride upon mine own mule - Mules and horses seem to have been first employed by the Israelites in the reign of David, and the use of the former was at first confined to great personages 2Sa_13:29; 2Sa_18:9. The rabbis tell us that it was death to ride on the king’s mule without his permission; As David offered Solomon to ride on his own mule, this was full evidence that he had appointed him his successor.

Take with you the servants of your lord - By these we may understand the kings guards, the guards of the city, the Cherethites and Pelethites, who were under the command of Benaiah; and in short, all the disposable force that was at hand.

Gihon - A river near Jerusalem, on the west side. Adonijah was inaugurated on the east side. This place David chose, either, as remote from Adonijah and his company, that so the people might be there without fear of tumults or bloodshed; or, to show that Solomon was chosen king in opposition to Adonijah: or, because this was a place of great resort, and fit to receive and display that numerous company, which he knew would follow Solomon thither.

1Ki 1:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

Anoint him - Inauguration into each of the three offices (those of prophet, priest, and king) typical of the Messiah or Anointed One, was by anointing with oil. Divine appointment had already instituted the rite in connection with the kingly office 2Sa_2:4; but after Solomon we have no express mention of the anointing of kings, except in the three cases of Jehu, Joash, and Jehoahaz 2Ki_9:6; 2Ki_11:12; 2Ki_23:30, who were all appointed irregularly. At the time of the captivity, kings, whose anointing has not been related in the historical books, still bear the title of “the anointed of the Lord.” Lam_4:20; Psa_89:38, Psa_89:51.

blow ye the trumpet, and say, God save King Solomon - the blowing of the trumpet was to make it public; the proclamation of him as king was to be made by the sound of it, and the acclamation of the people was to express their concurrence with it, their loyal affection to the new king, and their hearty wishes for his health, prosperity, and long life.

1Ki 1:35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

Over Israel and over Judah - that is, over all the twelve tribes of Israel Judah may be particularly mentioned, though included in Israel, because Adonijah had invited the men of Judah to his feast and party, 1Ki_1:9; and therefore had they not been named, might think he had no power over them.

Over Israel and over Judah - There is no anticipation here of the subsequent division of the kingdom; the antithesis between Judah and Israel already existed in the reign of David 2Sa_2:9; 2Sa_19:11.

that he may come and sit upon my throne - at Jerusalem, in the king's palace, and there exercise his kingly power he would now be invested with:

for he shall be king in my stead - even during David's life, as well as after his death.

1Ki 1:36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.

the Lord God of my lord the king say so too - let it appear, by the prosperity and success that shall by divine Providence attend the new king, that this is according to the will of God.

1Ki 1:37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.

1Ki 1:38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.

1Ki 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

The tabernacle - Probably that which David had made for the ark of the covenant on Mount Zion 2Sa_6:17. That it was part of the regular furniture of the tabernacle appears from Exo_31:11; Exo_39:38.

Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle - Not out of the tabernacle of Moses, for that was at Gibeon; see 1Ch_21:29; and if the oil had been there, it would have been too far to have fetched it, since haste was now required; but this was taken out of the tabernacle David had built for the ark, 2Sa_6:17; where the ark was.

Zadok took a horn of oil - Pottery and glass were little in use in those times; and horns were frequently used to hold oil and wine. The oil used here was the holy anointing oil, which was laid up in the tabernacle, and which was used for the anointing of both priests and kings.

1Ki 1:40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

The people piped with pipes - They danced, sang, and played on what instruments of music they possessed.

The earth rent - an hyperbolical expression, showing the great numbers gathered together on this occasion, and the sonorous acclamations they made. We use a similar expression in precisely the same sense: They rent the air with their cries.

1Ki 1:41 And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?

when Joab heard the sound - he speaks as one surprised, and in great concern, being general of the army, whose care should be to preserve the peace of the city, and prevent mutiny and disorder.

1Ki 1:42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.

behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came - Jonathan had acted in a similar capacity, as a carrier of intelligence, in the time of Absalom’s attempt 2Sa_15:36; 2Sa_17:17; but at that time, like his father, he was faithful to David, and “a valiant man,” “a virtuous man,” or “a man of worth.” (See 1Ki_1:52; Pro_12:4.)

1Ki 1:43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.

Jonathan answered - He was properly a messenger about the court; he is seen elsewhere in Scripture with Ahimaaz, 2Sa_15:36.

1Ki 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:

1Ki 1:45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.

Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, have anointed him - here the act of anointing is ascribed to them both, as in 1Ki_1:34;

1Ki 1:46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.

also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom - Where he was placed to exercise his regal power when returned to Jerusalem, as a further token and confirmation of his being really and actually king.

1Ki 1:47 And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

The king bowed himself - signifying not only his approbation of what was done, but also of their prayers and wishes; as well as he bowed himself to give thanks to God that he had lived to see this work done. The king worshipped God and prayed that it might be so.

Moreover, the king’s servants came - The king himself was at this time confined to his own house, and probably to his bed, and could not possibly see these ceremonies; therefore his confidential servants came and told him.

God make the name of Solomon better than thy name - that is, may he be more famous, and his name be more celebrated in the world than his was, or be more respectable and valued among his people Israel:

1Ki 1:48 And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.

blessed be the Lord God of Israel - he ascribes this whole affair to God, and his kind providence, though all things were done according to his own orders; and gives thanks to him, who had directed him to take such steps as these were, and that the business was finished without any obstruction, and to the great joy and satisfaction of the people; and that there was such a prospect of Solomon's having a happy and peaceable reign.

1Ki 1:49 And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid - Though many of them were military men, the general of the army, and the captains thereof, 1Ki_1:19; yet they were struck with a panic, their courage failed them, they had no spirit left in them, their hearts became as weak as water; had they exerted themselves according to their character, betaken themselves to arms, and put themselves at the head of their troops in favor of Adonijah, it would have given Solomon and his friends a great deal of trouble; no doubt this panic was of God:

rose up, and went every man his way - on hearing what Jonathan reported, they immediately rose up from table in great haste, and made the best of their way to their houses, that it might not be known that they had been with Adonijah.

1Ki 1:50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

On the horns of the altar - The altar to which Adonijah fled was probably in the “tabernacle” already referred to 1Ki_1:39.

Adonijah feared - He knew he had usurped the kingdom, and had not his father’s consent; and, as he finds now that Solomon is appointed by David, he knows well that the people will immediately respect that appointment, and that his case is hopeless; he therefore took sanctuary, and, fleeing to the tabernacle, laid hold on one of the horns of the altar, as if appealing to the protection of God against the violence of men. The altar was a privileged place, and it was deemed sacrilege to molest a man who had taken refuge there.

On the horns of the altar - either that which was at Gibeon, where the tabernacle now was; see 1Ki_3:4; or rather that which was nearest, the altar that David had built in the threshing floor of Araunah, 2Sa_24:25; the altar was a sort of asylum, or refuge, for such who had committed any crime worthy of death; not by divine appointment, but by custom, it being supposed that none would presume to defile with blood that which was sacred to the Lord; or shed the blood of men where the blood of beasts was poured; or use severity and strict justice, but mercy, where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin, and mercy was shown on account of them;

On the horns of the altar - most probably the altar of burnt offering which had been erected on Mount Zion, where Abiathar, one of his partisans, presided as high priest. The horns or projections at the four corners of the altar, to which the sacrifices were bound, and which were tipped with the blood of the victim, were symbols of grace and salvation to the sinner. Hence the altar was regarded as a sanctuary (Exo_21:14), but not to murderers, rebels, or deliberate perpetrators. Adonijah, having acted in opposition to the will of the reigning king, was guilty of rebellion, and stood self-condemned. Solomon spared his life on the express condition of his good behavior - living in strict privacy, leading a quiet, peaceable life, and meddling with the affairs of neither the court nor the kingdom.

On the horns of the altar - The altar was regarded from time immemorial and among all nations as a place of refuge for criminals deserving of death; but, according to Exo_21:14, in Israel it was only allowed to afford protection in cases of unintentional slaying, and for these special cities of refuge were afterwards provided (Num 35). In the horns of the altar, as symbols of power and strength, there was concentrated the true significance of the altar as a divine place, from which there emanated both life and health (see at Exo_27:19). By grasping the horns of the altar the culprit placed himself under the protection of the saving and helping grace of God, which wipes away sin, and thereby abolishes punishment. The question to what altar Adonijah fled, whether to the altar at the ark of the covenant in Zion, or to the one at the tabernacle at Gibeon, or to the one built by David on the threshing-floor of Araunah, cannot be determined with certainty. It was probably to the first of these, however, as nothing is said about a flight to Gibeon, and with regard to the altar of Araunah it is not certain that it was provided with horns like the altars of the two sanctuaries.

1Ki 1:51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

let King Solomon swear unto me this day - he owns Solomon to be king, and himself his subject and servant; this no doubt he did to conciliate his favor, nor did he think his life safe, unless Solomon promised with an oath, that he would not take it away.

1Ki 1:52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

There shalt not an hair - This was a proverbial expression, meaning “he shall suffer no hurt at all.” Solomon’s clemency in pardoning Adonijah is very remarkable. In the ancient Mideast not only were pretenders almost always punished with death, but it has often been the custom for each king upon his accession to put to death all his brothers as mere possible pretenders.

If he will show himself a worthy man - If, from henceforth, he behave well, show himself to be contented, and not endeavor to make partisans, or stir up insurrections among the people, he shall be safe; but if wickedness be found in him - if he act at all contrary to this - he shall die; his blood shall be upon him.

if wickedness shall be found in him - that is, if any crime worthy of death be committed by him, or any overt act of treason, and the like, he should surely be put to death, and find no mercy, notwithstanding the present general pardon. This was very wisely done by Solomon, to begin his reign without shedding blood even of delinquents; and especially of his brother, and his elder brother too; and by granting his life for the future on his good behavior.

1Ki 1:53 So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.

Go to thine house - Intimating that he should have no place about the king’s person, nor under the government. Adonijah must have seen that he stood continually on his good behavior.

he came and bowed himself to King Solomon - in a way of reverence and subjection, acknowledging him to be king, and himself his subject:

Go to thine house - signifying that he pardoned him, and he might go home, and enjoy his family and substance; and by this intimating that he should only regard the affairs of his family, and not trouble himself with those of the kingdom and state.

1 Chronicles 29

1Ch 29:1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

The palace - The original word here used is the Hebrew form of a Persian word, and generally designates the residence of the Persian monarch Est_1:2, Est_1:5; Est_2:3, Est_2:8; Neh_1:1; Dan_8:2. It is only here and in 1Ch_29:19 that it is applied to the temple.

What is done in works of piety and charity, should be done willingly, not by constraint; for God loves a cheerful giver. David set a good example. This David offered, not from constraint, or for show; but because he had set his affection to the house of God.

1Ch 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

Glistering stones - Rather, “colored stones;” or, “dark stones” - stones of a hue like that of the antimony wherewith women painted their eyes.

Marble stones - or “white stones” which is found near Damascus. Josephus says that the temple was built of large blocks of white marble, beautifully polished, so as to produce a most splendid appearance. These were used for pillars, tables, and pavement; this was Parian marble, according to the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; the whitest of marble, found the island of Paros.

1Ch 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

Of mine own proper good - from his own private estate. He makes the offering publicly in order to provoke others by his example 1Ch_29:5.

because I have set my affection to the house of my God - Had a good will to it, and was earnestly desirous of having it built, and that in a grand manner:

1Ch 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

1Ch 29:5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

To consecrate his service - Hebrew, “fill his hand” to give largely and liberally towards building an house for the service and worship, honor and glory, of God; The words contain an appeal to the assembly for voluntary offerings.

1Ch 29:6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,

1Ch 29:7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

Dram - The word here translated “dram” is regarded by most critics as the Hebrew equivalent of the Persian “daric,” or ordinary gold coin.

1Ch 29:8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite – who with his sons, had the care of that treasury, 1Ch_27:21.

1Ch 29:9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord - not grudgingly, but cheerfully; not pressed and urged to it; not by constraint, but freely, and that with a pure view to the honor and glory of God:

1Ch 29:10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

Lord God of Israel our Father - the phrase, "our father", does not belong to the God of Israel, their father by covenant and adoption, but to Israel, or Jacob, the ancestor of the Jewish nation; who is made mention of on this occasion, he being the first that spoke of building an house for God, as some Jewish writers, Jarchi and Kimchi, observe, see Gen_28:22.

1 Chronicles 29:10-19

Wherefore David blessed the Lord — This beautiful thanksgiving prayer was the effusion overflowing with gratitude and delight at seeing the warm and widespread interest that was now taken in forwarding the favorite project of his life. Its piety is displayed in the fervor of devotional feeling - in the ascription of all worldly wealth and greatness to God as the giver, in tracing the general readiness in contributing to the influence of His grace, in praying for the continuance of this happy disposition among the people, and in solemnly and earnestly commending the young king and his kingdom to the care and blessing of God.

1Ch 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine - they are both made by him, and all that is in them, and therefore he has the sole right unto them:

thine is the kingdom, O Lord - of nature and Providence; he has the sole dominion over all creatures, and the sovereign disposal of all things:

thou art exalted as head above all - men on earth, and angels in heaven.

1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

1Ch 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

1Ch 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

But who am I - Originally dust and ashes, a sinful creature, unworthy to receive anything from God, and of having the honor of doing anything for him:

what is my people - subject to him, the least of all people, separated from the nations round about them, and despised by them:

that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort - that they, who were a poor people, some years ago brought out of Egyptian bondage, should now be possessed of such an affluence, and have such a generous heart and liberal spirit given them, as to contribute in so large and liberal a manner as they had done; all was owing to the goodness of God to them, and the efficacy of his grace upon them:

1Ch 29:15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

our days on the earth are as a shadow - man's life is expressed by days, not months and years, being so short; and by days on earth, in distinction from the days of heaven, or eternity; and these said to be as a shadow, of a short continuance, empty, mutable, and uncertain, dark and obscure, quickly gone, like the shadow of the sun; and not only like that, but, as the Targum states, of a bird that is flying, which passes away at once. This sentiment is expressed in Isaiah and the New Testament. Isaiah 40:6-8 The voice said, Cry! And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the beauty of it is as the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the Spirit of the LORD blows on it; surely the people is grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the Word of our God shall stand forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of men as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls out, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the Word preached as gospel to you.

For we are strangers - Heb_11:13 These all died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. And they were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1Ch 29:16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.

All 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.

1Ch 29:17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine 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.

1Ch 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and 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:

keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people - let the same disposition of mind always continue in them to serve the Lord their God:

prepare their heart unto thee - incline and dispose their minds always to fear the Lord, and obey his will.

1Ch 29:19 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.

Give unto Solomon a perfect heart - This he did, but Solomon abused his mercies.

to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes - All the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, even to observe them cordially and sincerely:

1Ch 29:20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

worshipped the Lord, and the king —of divine worship in the one, of civil homage in the other. . Solomon's kingdom typified the kingdom of the Messiah, whose throne is the throne of the Lord.

1Ch 29:21 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:

With their drink-offerings - The Targum says a thousand drink-offerings, making these libations equal in number to the other offerings.

And sacrifices - These were peace-offerings, offered for the people, and on the flesh of which they feasted.

1Ch 29:22 And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

And did eat and drink — After the business of the assembly was over, the people, under the exciting influence of the occasion, still remained, and next day engaged in the performance of solemn rites, and afterwards feasted on the remainder of the sacrifices.

King the second time - Solomon’s first appointment was at the time of Adonijah’s rebellion. As that appointment was hurried and, comparatively speaking, private, David now thought it best formally to invest Solomon a second time with the sovereignty, in the face of all Israel. For a similar reason a second and public appointment of Zadok alone to the high priest’s office took place. Abiathar was not as yet absolutely thrust out; but it may be doubtful whether he was ever allowed to perform high priestly functions after his rebellion 1Ki_1:7; 1Ki_2:27.

King the second time - The first time of his being anointed and proclaimed king was when his brother Adonijah affected the throne; and Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah anointed and proclaimed him in a hurry, and without pomp. 1Ki_1:39.

Zadok to be priest - high priest; which office yet he did not exercise till after the death of David, when Abiathar was thrust out by Solomon. This action of theirs, the anointing Zadok, did not, actually constitute him high - priest, 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, 1Ki_2:27.

1Ch 29:23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord - The throne of David is called here “the throne of the Lord,” as in 1Ch_28:5 it is called “the throne of the kingdom of the Lord,” because God had set it up and had promised to establish it.

the throne of the Lord - which is the throne of Israel, so called 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.

all Israel obeyed him - at once; whereas it was some time, even years, before all Israel obeyed David.

The remarks on Solomon's accession and reign contained in these verses are necessary to the complete conclusion of a history of David's reign, for they show how David's wishes for his son Solomon, whom the Lord chose to be his successor, were fulfilled.

1Ch 29:24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

1Ch 29:25 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.

And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly before all Israel - By giving him such a large share of wisdom and understanding in government:

bestowed upon him such royal majesty - not only such wealth and riches, but such honor and reverence:

1Ch 29:26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

The writer having mentioned the anointing of Solomon and upon that occasion proceeded to give a farther account of Solomon's actual settlement in his kingdom, returns to his main business, to give an account of the close of David's reign and life.

1Ch 29:27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

1Ch 29:28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

And he died in a good old age - Being seventy years of age:

1Ch 29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

The acts of David - All that he did that was memorable, both before he was king, and when king in Hebron, and then in Jerusalem: Those which concerned him in private life, as well as those which grew out of his regal government. All these were written by three eminent men, personally acquainted with him through the principal part of his life; these were Samuel and Gad the seers, and Nathan the prophet. These writings are all lost, except the particulars interspersed in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, none of which are the records mentioned here.

behold, they are written in the books - of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer; which were journals of his life and actions, begun by Samuel, and carried on by Nathan and Gad; out of which what is recorded in canonical Scripture was taken by divine direction, and preserved, while other writings are lost.

1Ch 29:30 With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

The times that went over him - The transactions of his reign, and the occurrences and vicissitudes in his own kingdom, as well as those which were over all the kingdoms of the countries, i.e., in the surrounding nations, in most of which David had a share during his forty years’ reign.

1 Chronicles 28

1Ch 28:1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

David assembled - This refers to the persons whose names and offices we have seen in the preceding chapter. “All the princes of Israel” is the general designation, which is then specialized. In it are included the princes of the tribes who are enumerated in 1Ch_27:16-22, and the princes of the divisions which served the king, who are enumerated in 1Ch_27:1-15; the princes of thousands and hundreds are the chiefs and captains of the twelve army corps (1Ch_27:1), who are subordinate to the princes of the host: the princes of all the substance and possessions of the king are the managers of the domains enumerated in 1Ch_27:25-31.

1Ch 28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

My brethren - David retains the modest phrase of a king not born in the purple, but raised from the ranks of the people. No later Jewish monarch thus addressed his subjects. He calls them his brethren, being of the same nation and religion, and to show his modesty and humility; in which he was a type of Christ, the King of kings, Heb_2:11 For both He who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of One, for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brothers,

My brethren - So he calls the princes and chief rulers, both because they had a share with him, though under him in the government; and in compliance with the Divine command, that the king should not be lifted up above his brethren; Deu_17:15 you shall surely set a king over you, whom the LORD your God shall choose. You shall set a king over you from among your brothers. You may not set a stranger over you, who is not your brother. Deu_17:20 so that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he does not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he may make his days longer in his kingdom, he and his sons, in the midst of Israel.

The footstool of our God - Psa_99:5 Praise the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy. God seated between the cherubim, at the two extremities of the ark, might be said to be enthroned in His glory, and the coverlet of the ark to be His footstool. For as the Lord sat between the cherubim over the mercy seat, the lid of the ark, it was, speaking after the manner of men, a footstool to him: Heaven is His throne: the earth and the most magnificent temples thereon are but His foot - stool.

David stood up upon his feet - He was now very old, and chiefly confined to his bed, (1Ki_1:47); and while he was addressing his son Solomon, he continued on the bed; but when all the principal nobles of his kingdom came before him he received strength to arise and address them, standing on his feet.

1Ch 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

But God said unto me - This he said by Nathan the prophet, 2Sa_7:5.

thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood — The church or spiritual state of the world, of which the temple at Jerusalem was to be a type, would be presided over by One who was to be pre-eminently the Prince of Peace, and therefore would be represented not so fitly by David, whose mission had been a preparatory one of battle and conquest, as by his son, who should reign in unbroken peace.

1Ch 28:4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:

Over Israel for ever - The government should have no end, provided they continued to walk according to the commandments of God. The government, as referring to Christ, is, and will be, without end.

Over Israel for ever - in his posterity for many years to come, and best of all in his antitype Christ, the son of David, see Luk_1:32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David.

for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler - the tribe of Judah to be the seat of government, and one out of that tribe to be the chief ruler, 1Ch_5:2 For Judah prevailed among his brothers, and from him came the chief ruler, but the birthright was Joseph's);

he hath chosen Solomon — The spirit of David’s statement is this: It was not my ambition, my valor, or my merit that led to the enthronement of myself and family; it was the grace of God which chose the tribe, the family, the person - myself in the first instance, and now Solomon, to whom, as the Lord’s anointed, you are all bound to submit.

1Ch 28:5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

of all my sons, for the Lord hath given me many sons - Whose names, and the order of their birth, may be read in 1Ch_3:1.

1Ch 28:6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

And he said unto me - Besides the message sent to David through Nathan, he had a revelation, of which we have only the indirect account given here and in 1Ch_22:8-10. He was told that one of his sons should be raised up to fill his throne after him, and should build the temple. In the second revelation it was distinctly declared to him that the son intended was Solomon.

for I have chosen him to be my son - predestinated him to the adoption of children, Eph_1:5 having predestined us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

1Ch 28:7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

If he be constant - The conditional character of the promise made to David, as to the continuance of his posterity on the Jewish throne, is now clearly declared. This promise is absolute with regard to the Messiah, but conditional, with regard to Solomon.

I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments — The same condition is set before Solomon by God 1Ki_3:14 And if you will walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days. 1Ki_9:4 And if you will walk before Me as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you; and if you will keep My statutes and My judgments,

1Ch 28:8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord - seek to know them, search for them in the word of God, and endeavor to keep them: This solemn and earnest exhortation to those present, and to all Israel through their representatives, to continue faithful in observing the divine law as essential to their national prosperity and permanence, is similar to that of Moses Deu_30:15-20 Behold! I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. And the LORD your God shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it. But if you turn away your heart, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days on the land where you pass over Jordan to go to possess it. I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live, so that you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, so that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give it to them.

leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever - that so they might not be removed from it, and carried captive into other lands, as they were for their disobedience.

1Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Know thou the God of thy father - who was his Father and covenant God, and whom he served and worshipped, and who had bestowed upon him many favors, both temporal and spiritual; and having had such an experience of his goodness, he exhorts his son to seek to know more and more of him, and to own and acknowledge him as his God, and to love and fear him: “Knowing God,” in the sense of having a religious trust in Him, is an unusual phrase in the earlier Scriptures. It scarcely occurs elsewhere in the historical books. David, however, uses the phrase in his Psalms Psa_36:10 O continue Your loving-kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

know thou — He did not mean head knowledge, for Solomon possessed that already, but that experimental acquaintance with God which is only to be obtained by loving and serving Him.

serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind - cordially and sincerely, cheerfully and freely, neither in an hypocritical manner, nor through force and constraint, nor with loathing and weariness:

for the Lord searcheth all hearts - the hearts of all men, even of kings, and knows from what principles and with what views and in what manor they serve him:

understandeth all the imaginations of the thought - not only the thoughts of the heart, when regularly formed and ranged in order, hut even the very beginning of them, the first motions of the mind, and before they are well formed, Gen_6:5 And the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

1Ch 28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

1Ch 28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

David gave to Solomon the pattern - As God had revealed to Moses the pattern of the tabernacle Exo. 26; 27, so He had made known by revelation to David the pattern of the temple and its furniture. This pattern, which consisted of a set of directions in writing, David now handed over to Solomon. The temple must be a sacred thing, and a type of Christ; it must be framed by Divine teaching. Christ is the true temple, the church is the gospel temple, and heaven the everlasting temple; all are framed according to the Divine counsels, and the plan laid in the Divine wisdom, ordained before the world, for God's glory and our good.

David gave to Solomon the pattern - He gave him an ichnograph (a blueprint or ground plan) of the building, with elevations, sections, and specifications of every part; and all this he received by inspiration from God himself, (1Ch_28:12, 1Ch_28:19), just as Moses had received the plan of the tabernacle.

Then David gave to Solomon the pattern — He now put into the hands of his son and successor the plan or model of the temple, with the elevations, measurements, apartments, and chief articles of furniture, all of which were designed according to the pattern given him by divine revelation (1Ch_28:19).

The houses - The “holy place” and the “holy of holies “ - called respectively “the house” and the “inner house” 1Ki_6:17, 1Ki_6:27, and 2Ch_3:5, 2Ch_3:8 “the greater house” and “the most holy house.”

1Ch 28:12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

By the spirit - All the particulars of the tabernacle built by Moses were suggested to him by God's spirit. The temple was to be a sacred thing, a type of Christ, of his church, and of heaven. Therefore it was not to be contrived by man's invention, but to be framed by divine institution. So Christ, the true temple, the church, the gospel - temple, and heaven, the everlasting temple, are all framed according to the divine counsels, and the plan laid before the world began. It is supposed, the tabernacle of Moses, with all its utensils, being wanted no more, was laid up here.

1Ch 28:13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

And also for the courses of the priests and Levites - Where they should serve, of which, as fixed and ordered by David, 1Ch_24:1.

1Ch 28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

Of gold (or silver) by weight - The quantity of gold (or silver) which was to be put in each article. David was directed by the Spirit of God what weights or quantities of gold and silver should be used.

1Ch 28:15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

For the candlesticks - There was but one in the tabernacle; there were ten in the temple. These candlesticks were ten, and each had seven lamps, and were placed five on one side the Mosaic candlestick, and five on the other 1Ki_7:49 and the lampstands of pure gold, five on the right and five on the left, in front of the Holy of Holies, with the flowers and the lamps and the tongs of gold,

1Ch 28:16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:

for the tables of shewbread - For though there were but one table for the shewbread in the tabernacle of Moses, there were ten in the temple of Solomon, 2Ch_4:8

1Ch 28:17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:

1Ch 28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

the chariot of the cherubim — The expanded wings of the cherubim formed what was figuratively styled the throne of God, and as they were emblematical of rapid motion, the throne or seat was spoken of as a chariot Psa_18:10; Psa_99:1

The chariot of the cherubims - The cherubim are themselves the chariot upon which the Lord rides Psa_18:10 And He rode on a cherub, and flew; yea, He soared on the wings of the wind. Psa_99:1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble. He sits between the cherubs; let the earth quake.

gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim - which were two large ones, besides those which Moses made; and these were not made of gold, as they were, but overlaid with it, 1Ki_6:23 And inside the Holy of Holies he made two cherubs of olive wood, ten cubits high. 1Ki_6:27-28 And he set the cherubs inside the inner house. And they stretched forth the wings of the cherubs so that the wing of the one touched the one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.

28 And he overlaid the cherubs with gold. This made four; and to which the four living creatures in Ezekiel's vision allude, and make the "mercavah", or chariot.

that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord - not that spread their wings over the ark, and covered it, that the Mosaic cherubim did; but these spread their wings before it from wall to wall, so that it could not be seen by any that turned aside the vail, and even by the high priest when he entered into the holy of holies.

1Ch 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

1Ch 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee - a promise made to Joshua, and is applicable to every good man in whatsoever good work he is concerned, Jos_1:5, In conclusion, David encourages his son to go forward to the work with good courage, for his God would not forsake him; and the priests and Levites, cunning workmen, and the princes, together with the whole people, would willingly support him.

1Ch 28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

Behold, the courses of the priests - The priests and the Levites, the cunning artificers, and the princes of the people, will be at thy command. Thus David, having assigned him his work, and described the manner in which it was to be done, shows him who were to be his assistants in it, and encourages him in the great undertaking.

1 Chronicles 27

1Ch 27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

This verse is a general heading to the list 1Ch_27:2-15. The heading has been taken from some fuller and more elaborate description of David’s army, whereof the writer of Chronicles gives us only an abridgement. Omitting the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the officers (probably “scribes”) who served the king, he contents himself with recording the “chief fathers” or heads of the divisions 1Ch_28:1, and the number of Iraelites in each course.

This enumeration is widely different from the preceding. In that, we have the orders and courses of the priests and the Levites in their ecclesiastical ministrations; in this, we have the account of the order of the civil service, that which related simply to the political state of the king and the kingdom. Twenty-four persons, chosen out of David’s worthies, each of whom had a second, were placed over twenty-four thousand men, who all served a month in turn at a time; and this was the whole of their service during the year, after which they attended to their own affairs. Thus the king had always on foot a regular force of twenty-four thousand, who served without expense to him or the state, and were not oppressed by the service, which took up only a twelfth part of their time, and by this plan he could at any time, when the exigency of the state required it, bring into the field twelve times twenty-four thousand, or two hundred and eighty-eight thousand fighting men, independently of the twelve thousand officers, which made in the whole an effective force of three hundred thousand soldiers; and all these men were prepared, disciplined, and ready at a call, without the smallest expense to the state or the king. These were, properly speaking, the militia of the Israelite kingdom.

Now the children of Israel after their number - Not the whole body of the people, but the militia of the nation; for after the account of the division of the priests and Levites into courses, follows an account of the militia of the nation, being divided also into monthly courses.

the chief fathers - the chief men in the tribes, the princes of them, not the natural fathers of the soldiers in each course

Twelve captains for every month - Here is an account of the standing military force of Israel. A militia formed, it would seem, at the beginning of David’s reign was raised in the following order: Twelve legions, corresponding to the number of tribes, were enlisted in the king’s service. Each legion comprised a body of twenty-four thousand men, whose term of service was a month in rotation, and who were stationed either at Jerusalem or in any other place where they might be required. There was thus always a force sufficient for the ordinary purposes of state, as well as for resisting sudden attacks or popular tumults; and when extraordinary emergencies demanded a larger force, the whole standing army could easily be called to arms, amounting to two hundred eighty-eight thousand, or to three hundred thousand, including the twelve thousand officers that naturally attended on the twelve princes (1Ch_27:16-24). Such a military establishment would be burdensome neither to the country nor to the royal treasury; for attendance on this duty being a mark of honor and distinction, the expense of maintenance would be borne probably by the militiaman himself, or furnished out of the common fund of his tribe. Nor would the brief period of actual service produce any derangement of the usual course of affairs; for, on the expiry of the term, every soldier returned to the pursuits and duties of private life during the other eleven months of the year.

1Ch 27:2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Jashobeam - Jashobeam is mentioned in marginal references as the chief of David’s mighty men. He is called in 1Ch_11:11 “the son of Hachmoni.” We learn from 1Ch_27:3 that he was of the tribe of Judah , being descended from Perez (or Pharez), the son of Judah, from whom David himself sprang. 1Ch_2:3-15.

First course for the first month - Instead of mentioning first, second, third, etc., month, the Targum names them thus: First month, Nisan; second, Aiyar; third, Sivan; fourth, Tammuz; fifth, Ab; sixth, Elul; seventh, Tishri; eighth, Marchesvan; ninth, Cisleu; tenth, Tebeth; eleventh, Shebat; twelfth, Adar. The month Nisan, sometimes called Abib, which was March:

Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel - the first and chief of David's worthies, 1Ch_11:11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had : Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, the chief of the captains. He lifted up his spear against three hundred, who were killed by him at one time. Hachmoni was his father, Zabdiel probably one of his ancestors; or there might be different names of the same individual. In the rotation of the military courses, the dignity of precedence, not of authority, was given to the hero.

1Ch 27:3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.

1Ch_27:3 further relates of him that he was of the sons (descendants) of Perez, and the head of all the army chiefs in the first month (i.e., in the division for the first month). This man was of the posterity of Perez, or Pharez, a son of Judah, and so had the preference and command of all the captains of the army for that month:

1Ch 27:4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

A chief priest - Rather, “the chief priest” - an expression by which is meant, not the high priest, but probably the high priest’s deputy, who is sometimes called “the second priest” 2Ki_25:18. It was Jehoiada, and not Benaiah, who was a priest.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest - He is distinguished from Benaiah, the Pirathonite, who was over the eleventh month.

1Ch 27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

1Ch 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Asahel the brother of Joab – It appears likely that Asahel died before the courses, as here described, could have been instituted. Perhaps the arrangements of David in his later years were based upon institutions belonging to the period of his reign at Hebron . This officer having been slain at the very beginning of David’s reign [2Sa_2:23], his name was probably given to this division in honor of his memory, and his son was invested with the command.

and Zebadiah his son after him - points to his death, as they mention his son as his successor in the command of the fourth division of the army. When Asahel, therefore, is called commander of the fourth division of the host, it is done to honor him.

1Ch 27:8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Shamhuth - Shamhuth is called in 1Ch_11:27 Shammoth, and in 2Sa_23:25 Shamma. He was born in Harod; here he is called the Jizrahite 1Ch_27:13, of the family of Zerah the son of Judah (1Ch_2:4, 1Ch_2:6).

1Ch 27:9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Maharai belonged also to the family of Zerah; see 1Ch_27:11, 1Ch_27:8.

1Ch 27:14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1Ch 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

Over the tribes of Israel - Gad and Asher are omitted from this list of the tribes. Similarly, Dan and Zebulon are omitted from the genealogical survey of the tribes 1 Chr. 4–8. We can only suppose that the lists, as they came down to the writer of Chronicles, were incomplete. The “rulers” or “princes” of the tribes appear to have been the oldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs according to the law of primogeniture.

Over the tribes of Israel - In this enumeration there is no mention of the tribes of Asher and Gad. Probably the account of these has been lost from this register. These rulers appear to have been all honorary men, without pay, like the lords lieutenants of our counties.

Over the tribes of Israel - These persons appear to have been civil rulers over their several tribes, and honorary men. The officers of the court, or the rulers of the king's substance, had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his herds, his flocks, which formed the wealth of eastern kings. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry, and common persons show it in the choice of their advisers. David, though he had all these about him, preferred the word of God before them all. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counselors.

1Ch 27:17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

1Ch 27:18 Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

Elihu - of the brethren of David, is only another form of the name Eliab, 1Ch_2:13, David's eldest brother, who, as Jesse's first-born, had become tribal prince of Judah.

1Ch 27:19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

1Ch 27:20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

Of Manasseh two tribal princes are named, because the one half of this tribe had received its inheritance on this side Jordan, the other beyond Jordan.

1Ch 27:21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:

1Ch 27:22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel .

Tribes of Israel - Of the most of the tribes, not of all: for Gad is omitted, probably because that tribe was joined with the Reubenites under one prince.

1Ch 27:23 But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under - David’s numbering of the people was therefore a military arrangement in order to fix the amount of his standing army. There was a feeling that it would be irreverent to attempt to count what God had promised should be countless.

David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under - Only those that were twenty years and upwards; but, according tone scholar, he numbered them that were under twenty, though but sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen years of age, provided they were of robust bodies, and of a tall stature, and able to bear arms; which he takes to be the sin of David, in numbering the people, being contrary to the law of God; yet though he had ordered them to be numbered, and they were, yet he would not take them and put them into the account of his chronicles, as in the next verse, that his sin might not be known, see 2Sa_24:9.

because the Lord had said, he would increase Israel like to the stars in the heavens - which are not to be numbered, and therefore David sinned in attempting to number the people.

But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under — The census which David ordered did not extend to all the Israelites; for to contemplate such an enumeration would have been to attempt an impossibility (Gen_28:14), and besides would have been a daring offense to God. The limitation to a certain age was what had probably quieted David’s conscience as to the lawfulness of the measure, while its expediency was strongly pressed upon his mind by the army arrangements he had in view.

1Ch 27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

Because there fell wrath - literally, “And there fell wrath.” The falling of God’s wrath was not the cause of Joab’s ceasing. His motive is clearly stated in 1Ch_21:6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not count among them; for the king's word was evil to Joab.

Neither was the number put in - The meaning is, that in the portion of the chronicles of King David which treated of numbers - the number of the standing army, of the Levitical and priestly courses, the singers, etc. - the return of the number of the people made by Joab was not entered. The disastrous circumstances which followed on the taking of the census perhaps produced a feeling that God might he further provoked by its being put on record in the state archives.

Neither was the number put in the account - Joab did not return the whole number; probably the plague began before he had finished: or, he did not choose to give it in, as he had entered on this work with extreme reluctance; and he did not choose to tell the king how numerous they were. The two tribes of Benjamin and Levi not being counted by him

1Ch 27:25 And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:

This section is important as showing that David, the younger son of a not very opulent family 1Sa_16:11, 1Sa_16:20, had now become a large landed proprietor, as well as a capitalist, possessed of much moveable wealth. We may perhaps see the sources of both these kinds of property, in the successful wars which he had waged 1Sa_27:8-9; 1Sa_30:20; 2Sa_8:4, 2Sa_8:7-8, 2Sa_8:12; in the revenue derived from subject kings 1Sa_8:2, 1Sa_8:14; 1Sa_10:19; and in the purchase and occupation of lands in different places. Further, he enjoyed, of course, the usual rights of a Jewish king over the landed property of his subjects, and was thus entitled to receive a tithe of the produce in tithes (1Sa_8:15, 1Sa_8:17) and in “benevolences.”

Azmaveth the son of Adiel - The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others.

Jehonathan the son of Uzziah – he had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected:

over the king’s treasures — Those treasures consisted of gold, silver, precious stones, cedar-wood, etc.; those which he had in Jerusalem as distinguished from others without the city.

1Ch 27:26 And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:

Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground:

1Ch 27:27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

the vineyards — These seem to have been in the vine growing districts of Judah , and were committed to two men of that quarter. Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Over the workmen and laborers in the vineyards; as the next officer is over the fruit of the vineyards. In like manner, one man was over the laborers in the fields, 1Ch_27:26, and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores.

wine-cellars — The wine is deposited in jars sunk in the court of the house. Zabdi of Shepham, Num_34:10 had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars:

1Ch 27:28 And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

Baalhanan of Gedor, in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:36 was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of:

Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited:

in the low plains — that is, the Shephela, the rich, low-lying ground between the Mediterranean and the mountains of Judah.

The sycamore - It has them on the trunk itself, which shoots out little sprigs, in form of grape stalks, at the end of which grow the fruit close to one another, almost like a cluster of grapes. The tree is always green, and bears fruit several times in the year, without observing any certain seasons; for I have seen some sycamores that have given fruit two months after others. The fruit has the figure and smell of real figs, but is inferior to them in the taste, having a disgusting sweetness. Its color is a yellow, inclining to an ochre, shadowed by a flesh color. In the inside it resembles the common figs, excepting that it has a blackish colouring with yellow spots.

1Ch 27:29 And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:

1Ch 27:30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:

1Ch 27:31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

rulers of the substance that was king David’s — How and when the king acquired these demesnes and this variety of property - whether it was partly by conquests, or partly by confiscation, or by his own active cultivation of lands - is not said. It was probably in all these ways. The management of the king’s private possessions was divided into twelve parts, like his public affairs and the revenue derived from all these sources mentioned must have been very large.

1Ch 27:32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:

A list - supplemental in character - of some chief officers of David, not mentioned before. This catalogue of the king's officials forms a supplementary companion piece to the catalogues of the public officials, 1Ch_18:15-17, and 2Sa_8:15-18 and 2Sa_20:25-26. The list cannot belong to a very late part of David’s reign, since it contains the name of Ahithophel, who killed himself during Absalom’s rebellion 2Sa_17:23.

1Ch 27:33 And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:

Counsellor - The person whose counsel in matters of state the king most prized and followed. Ahithophel was also, according to 2Sa_15:31; 2Sa_16:23, David's confidential adviser, and took his own life when Absalom, in his conspiracy against David, did not regard his counsel (2 Sam 17).

Companion - Or his friend, 2Sa_15:37, the person whom he trusted with his secrets, and whose conversation was most pleasant and acceptable to him. Observe, A cunning man was his counsellor: but an honest man was his friend. Hushai the Archite was also a friend and adviser of David (2Sa_15:37 and 2Sa_16:16), who caused Absalom to reject Ahithophel's counsel (2 Sam 17).

1Ch 27:34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.