Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 29

Verse 1

Tender, not so much in years, for he was 22, but in comparison with David, and with reference to so great a work. (Menochius)

Verse 2

Onyx, or "emeralds." (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "soom," form the Hebrew shoham. --- Alabaster. Hebrew puc. (Haydock) --- The dark paint used for the eyes, has the same name, 4 Kings ix. 30., and Jeremias iv. 30. Yet the stibium or stimmi, or alabaster, mentioned by Pliny, ([Natural History?] xxxiii. 6.) was of a sliver colour, but not transparent. The stone here specified was probably alabaster, as it was used for the pavement. There is a very fine species at Damascus, and in Arabia, which was much sought after to decorate buildings. (Calmet) --- Chaldean has "emeralds." Septuagint, "stones of perfection, rich and various, and every precious stone, and much Parion." (Haydock) --- But [in] Isaias liv. 11, they translate the same term, "carbuncle." (Calmet) --- The stone might resemble the agate, which is beautifully shaded with clouds and other fanciful figures. (Tirinus) --- Paros: this is taken from the Septuagint. Hebrew has simply, "and stones of ssiss." (Haydock) --- Whether it denote the isle of Chio, or that of Chitis, in the Red Sea, the former famous for marble, and the latter for topaz; or it may refer to Sais, a city of Egypt, which had most beautiful porphyry. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxvi. 7., and xxxvii. 8.) --- But Paros, one of the Cyclades, was most renowned for its white marble. (Pliny xxxvi. 5.) --- Josephus (Jewish Wars vi. 6.) informs us, that the temple was built of large white marble stones; so that it appeared, at a distance, to be covered with snow. (Calmet)

Verse 3

Own. What he had already vowed, he esteemed no longer his. (Worthington) --- Temple. Hebrew, "houses," including the various apartments belonging to the temple. The sum which David had formerly set apart out of the spoils of war, &c., amounted to 835,000,000l. What he now adds, is 16,125,000l. sterling, according to Brerewood, who deems the sums exorbitant; and others have suspected that there is a mistake in the former numbers. We have seen with what foundation, chap. xxii. 14. David was so convinced, that the sum which he had been able to collect was too small, that he exhorted the princes to contribute, with all their power, and set them this noble example, which they endeavoured to imitate. (Haydock) --- He had collected some of the gold of Ophir, which was esteemed the best. (Calmet) See 3 Kings ix. 28. (Menochius) --- We have before remarked, that Solomon went beyond the expectations of his father, and used no silver.

Verse 5

Fill his hand, is an expression applied to priests, by which David imitates, that any one may now offer a species of sacrifice to the Lord, Judges vii. 5., and Exodus xxxii. 29. (Calmet) (Menochius) --- He wishes them to act with generosity. (Haydock)

Verse 6

Possessions, mentioned [in] chap. xxvii. 25.

Verse 7

Solids. Septuagint, "pieces of gold;" Greek: chrusous. Hebrew adarcnim, which Protestants render "drachms," (Haydock) after the Syriac, &c. Others think that the Darics, used in Persia, are meant, though they did not exist in David’s time. Esdras might reduce the money to correspond with the coin with which his countrymen were then acquainted, 2 Esdras vii. 70. (Pelletier) --- The Daric was equivalent to the golden sicle, which was only half the weight of one of silver, though this is not certain. (Calmet) --- A solid was only the sixth part of an ounce, whereas the sicle weighed half an ounce, or four drachms. --- Talents were always of the same weight, 125 Roman pounds. (Menochius)

Verse 8

Gersonite; who, with his brethren, was treasurer, chap. xxvi. 22.

Verse 9

Willingly. Their disposition was perfect: for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians ix. 7. (Calmet)

Verse 10

From. Septuagint, "from age to age;" (Pagnin, &c.) that is, throughout eternity: (Menochius) "for ever and ever." (Protestants) Eternity has no parts. (Haydock)

Verse 11

Magnificence. Thee we ought to magnify. David uses many words to express the sentiments of his grateful soul. (Menochius)

Verse 12

Thine. Hebrew and Septuagint, "of thee." (Haydock) --- Greatness. Hebrew, "to magnify and strengthen all." (Menochius) --- Our riches are thy gifts; and to thee we return a part, with gladness.

Verse 14

Promise. Hebrew, "to offer so willingly in this manner?" (Haydock) --- He is astonished at the rich display of gifts: but acknowledged that all was originally sent by God. In the same sentiments, we say in the mass, "We offer unto thee of thy own presents and gifts;" or, as the Greek expresses it, Greek: ta sa apo ton son. (Calmet)

Verse 15

Strangers. We have nothing but what we have received from thee; and for how short a time! (Calmet) --- No stay. Hebrew, "none abiding, (Haydock; or) no hope" of being able to escape death, (Calmet) when we must leave all. How happy, therefore, are those who sent their treasures before them! (Haydock) --- All are pilgrims, with respect to heaven, Hebrews xiii. (Worthington)

Verse 17

Simplicity. Hebrew, "uprightness." Septuagint, "justice;" (Haydock) a pure intention, which our Saviour styled a single eye, Matthew vi. 22. (Tirinus)

Verse 18

This. Hebrew, "keep this for ever, in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and direct their heart unto thee. Preserve these good dispositions, which though has given them." (Calmet)

Verse 20

Then is not in Hebrew or Septuagint. (Haydock) --- The same term is used, to express the outward adoration which they shewed to God, and the civil respect which was due to the king: pari gestu, says Grotius, animo diverso. (Calmet) --- How then will Protestants prove that we are guilty of idolatry, when we bow down before the cross, &c., unless they pretend to know the secrets of hearts? Protestants, they "bowed down their heads, (Septuagint, knees) and worshipped the Lord and the king." (Haydock) --- The exterior set was the same, but the intention determined the application. See Exodus xx. (Worthington)

Verse 21

CHAPTER XXIX.

And with. Hebrew and Septuagint, "and their sacrifices of wine and victims, (or peace-offerings, to be eaten by the people.; Calmet) in abundance for all Israel." (Haydock)

Verse 22

The Lord, at Jerusalem, (Menochius) where the ark was then kept. (Haydock) --- Second time: the first had been done with too much precipitation, in consequence of the attempt of Adonias; (3 Kings i. 39.; Tirinus) or this took place after the death of David, that his successor might be invested with full power, (Grotius) and be acknowledged by all. (Haydock) --- Priest. This at least only took place after the death of David, when Abiathar fell into disgrace, 3 Kings ii. 35. Both prince and priest must act by God’s authority; and those who resist them, resist God himself, Romans xiii. 1. (Calmet) --- They are ministers of the Lord. (Haydock)

Verse 24

Gave. Hebrew, "placed their hands upon Solomon." Septuagint, "were subject to him." (Calmet) --- The latter words in the Vulgate explain the meaning of the ceremony. (Menochius) --- It seems to have been similar to that used by Abraham required an oath of his servant, Genesis xxiv. 2. Vassals placed their hands within those of their Lord, under whom they hold lands; (Calmet) and the descendants of the Germans testify their submission, by putting their hands between a person’s knees. --- The nobles took the oath of fidelity to Solomon, by some such method. (Calmet)

Verse 29

Gad, the seer "of David," as he is sometimes styled. These three were well acquainted with David, (Calmet) and wrote the two first books of Kings; (Haydock) or at least those books are compiled from their memorials, (Calmet) if their works be lost, (Menochius) which is uncertain. (Worthington)

Verse 30

Under him in various tribulations, towards the end of his reign. (Vatable, &c.) --- Those prophets recorded not only what regarded David, (Haydock) but also what happened of consequence, in other nations, with which he had any connections. --- Of the. Syriac and Arabic, "of his land, or among the kings of his race." (Calmet) --- David reduced under his dominion not only the nations which dwelt in Chanaan, but all those which had been promised to Israel. (Haydock)