Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Chronicles
Book: 1 Chronicles
Chapter: 29
Overview:
David induces the princes and people to offer willingly.
(1-9)
His thanksgiving and
Prayer.
(10-19) Solomon enthroned.
(20-25)
David's reign and
Death.
(26-30)
1-9 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, and thought he could never do enough towards
promoting that good work. Those who would draw others to good,
must lead the way themselves.
10-19 We cannot form a right idea of the magnificence of the
Temple, and the buildings around it, about which such quantities
of
Gold and
Silver were employed. But the unsearchable riches of
Christ exceed the splendour of the
Temple, infinitely more than
that surpassed the meanest
Cottage On Earth. Instead of boasting
of these large oblations,
David gave solemn thanks to the
Lord.
All they gave for the
Lord's
Temple was his own; if they
attempted to keep it,
Death would soon have removed them from
it. The only use they could make of it to their real advantage,
was, to consecrate it to the service of Him who gave it.
20-25 This great assembly joined with
David in adoring
God.
Whoever is the mouth of the
Congregation, those only have the
benefit who join him, not
By Bowing down the head,
So much as
By
lifting up the soul.
Solomon sat
On the
Throne of the
Lord.
Solomon's kingdom typified the kingdom of the
Messiah, whose
Throne is the
Throne of the
Lord.
26-30 When we read the second
Book of
Samuel, we could scarcely
have expected to behold
David appear
So illustrious in his
closing scene. But his
Repentance had been as remarkable as his
Sin; and his conduct during his
Afflictions, and towards the
End
of his
Life, appears to have had a good effect
On his subjects.
Blessed be
God, even the chief of sinners may
Hope for a
glorious departure, when brought to repent and flee for
Refuge
to the
Saviour's atoning
Blood. Let us
Mark the difference
between the
Spirit and character of the
Man after
God's own
Heart, living and dying, and those of worthless professors, who
resemble him in nothing but their sins, and who wickedly try to
excuse their crimes
By his sins. Let us watch and pray, lest we
be overcome
By Temptation, and overtaken
By Sin, to the
dishonour of
God, and the wounding of our own consciences. When
we feel that we have offended, let us follow
David's
Example of
Repentance and patience, looking for a glorious resurrection,
through our
Lord Jesus Christ.