Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Chronicles
Book: 1 Chronicles
Chapter: 22
Overview:
David's preparations for the
Temple.
(1-5) David's
instructions to
Solomon.
(6-16) The prices commanded to assist.
(17-19)
1-5 On occasion of the terrible
Judgment inflicted
On Israel
for the
Sin of
David,
God pointed out the place where he would
have the
Temple built; upon which,
David was excited to make
preparations for the great work.
David must not build, but he
would do all he could; he prepared abundantly before his
Death.
What our hands find to do for
God, and our souls, and those
round us, let us do it with all our might, before our
Death; for
after
Death there is
No device nor working. And when the
Lord
refuses to employ us in those services which we desired, we must
not be discouraged or idle, but do what we can, though in a
humbler sphere.
6-16 David gives
Solomon the reason why he should build the
Temple. Because
God named him. Nothing is more powerful to
engage us in any service for
God, than to know that we are
appointed thereto. Because he would have leisure and opportunity
to do it. He should have peace and quietness. Where
God gives
Rest, he expects work. Because
God had promised to establish his
kingdom.
God's gracious promises should quicken and strengthen
our religious service.
David delivered to
Solomon an account of
the vast preparations he had made for this
Building; not from
pride and vain-
Glory, but to encourage
Solomon to engage
cheerfully in the great work. He must not think,
By Building the
Temple, to purchase a
Dispensation to
Sin;
On the contrary, his
doing that would not be accepted, if he did not take heed to
fulfil the statutes of the
Lord. In our spiritual work, as
Well
as in our spiritual warfare, we have need of courage and
resolution.
17-19 Whatever is done towards rendering the
Word of God
generally known and attended to, is like bringing a
Stone, or an
ingot of
Gold, towards erecting the
Temple. This should
encourage us when we grieve that we do not see more
Fruit of our
labours; much good may appear after our
Death, which we never
thought of. Let us not then be weary of
Well doing. The work is
in the hands of the
Prince of peace. As he, the Author and
Finisher of the work, is pleased to employ us as his
instruments, let us arise and be doing, encouraging and helping
one another; working
By his rule, after his
Example, in
dependence
On his
Grace, assured that he will be with us, and
that our labour shall not be in vain in the
Lord.